The Teachings of Jesus in Luke: Everyone Matters

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” ~ Luke 16:19-31
Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. ~ Jane Goodall


Do you ever miss something that is right under your nose?

 Do you see the faces of the people you walk by on the street?

 All of them?

 Who is it that you miss? Who is it that maybe you even ignore intentionally?

 What is the rich man's sin here? Is it simply that he doesn't give money or food to Lazarus?

 Or is it that he just doesn't see Lazarus at all?

 That he doesn't see Lazarus as a person?

 For Jesus, everyone had value. Each person. No one should be missed. Ignored. Seen as less than human.

 Remember that he told this parable immediately after giving women personhood regarding divorce.

 I'll admit that there have been people I've not seen. People I've ignored even by choice. I don't like them. I don't trust them. 

 They frighten me. They annoy me. They are different from me.

 Yet everyone has value. Everyone has their role to play.

 Everyone is worthy of love.

 Everyone.
Prayer: Forgive me for all the times I've ignored your people O, God. Help me to see the value in all your children. All of them. Amen





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