#1189. Faith and lifestyle are built on God’s Word (15/11/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series.

Today, from Luke 16:27-31, we reflect on how our faith is built on God’s Word rather than feelings or experiences.

To watch this devotional, select the link below

https://youtu.be/CYhILs8WgTA

‘“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:27-31)

Luke 16:27–31

1. Remember the context

Firstly, again, it’s important to remember the context of this passage. Yes, this applies to us, but it was firstly directed at the religious leaders of Jesus’ day - The rich man who ends up in hell represents many of them! They assumed they were righteous and were right with God but they were mistaken. There lack of mercy revealed them to be ‘sons of the devil’ as Jesus calls them on one occasion! (See John 8:44)

John 8:44

Likewise, does our profession of faith in Christ also lead to a life of love? Are we truly born again and bearing the fruit of salvation in love and mercy?

2. This is a call for them to listen to their Bible

This story, directed at them, was a call for them to repent. Jesus is warning them that they have ‘Moses and the Prophets’ (The Old Testament that they claimed to love) that taught how to live in order to please God - which includes mercy. For example, Michah the prophet urges:

‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ (Michael 6:8)

Likewise, if we are Christians, are we listening to God in His Word? This man wanted to warn his family to truly listen to God when it was too late. Today, do we heed Jesus’ Word to listen and obey Him?

3. They rejected their Messiah

Finally, in this parable, Jesus quotes Abraham as saying to this condemned man:

“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’

Here, again, Jesus is warning the Jews of His day. They were failing to listen to their Bible about mercy, but also failing to listen about the coming of their Messiah. They rejected Jesus, their Saviour. Jesus is warning them that if they won’t listen to the Word of God about how to live and about their Saviour, they won’t respond even when He rises from death - as turns out to be the case!

Likewise, our faith in Christ is based upon His Word. We don’t obey or believe because of miracles or special experiences (as good as these are). Today’s text, with all its interesting details is, in summary, a call to listen to God - believe the Bible - about how to live and how to be saved through Jesus.

Let’s pray together

“Lord Jesus, forgive me when I’ve not listened to your word but have allowed myself to be led by feelings and experiences. Today, I commit myself again to listening to you as to how to live and who you are. Amen.”