#1188. God’s word on mercy is unchanging (14/11/24)

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

Today, from Luke 16:19-26, we reflect on how radical devotion to Jesus involves listening to Him regarding mercy.

To watch this devotional, select the link below

https://youtu.be/Oxc7jckcwZg

‘“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.”’ (Luke 16:19-26)

Luke 16:19–26

Yesterday, we saw how radical devotion to Jesus involves listening to Him regarding our relationships, and in marriage in particular. Today, we see that we are to listen to Him regarding mercy.

1. Parables give a simple message

Firstly, a word about parables. We must not press the details too much. Yes, we can glean some ideas about death, heaven and hell, but this is a story designed to teach us about mercy rather than about the doctrine of heaven and hell. For example, we are not to learn from this parable that those in heaven and hell can see one another and communicate - this is surely a dramatic device to teach us. Parables are simple stories designed to give us a simple point. Here, the main point being made is that God’s people are to be, and will be, merciful with the resources that God has given to them; they they don’t, they reveal that they are not God’s people and will face God’s judgment.

2. The original context - He’s rebuking the religious leaders

We must also recognise who Jesus is attacking here. He’s focussing on the religious leaders - often wealthy - that were attacking Him and being unmerciful to many. Jesus includes Abraham in this parable because they considered themselves ‘sons of Abraham’ - God’s special people, but, in actuality, they were not! (See John 8:33).

John 8:33

‘Jesus reserved his sternest judgements against the hypocrites of his day. Many of them, no doubt, were startled by the charge of hypocrisy. Were they not devout men who believed in God and kept the law with great diligence? Were they not moral and upright, highly respectable members of the religious society of that day? Yet all the time they were play-acting in their relationship with God. There was no reality about it. ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.’ ‘ (David Watson)

To understand the Bible, we must understand the original context so as to them apply in to our own, very different, cultural setting. From this story, we are principally to understand that we must beware of becoming self-righteous; beware of becoming judgmental; beware of condemning and being unmerciful toward certain sorts of people that our culture may condemn.

3. How can you and I show God’s mercy?

In essence, Jesus is wanting to teach us to be generous and merciful toward the poor and suffering, and that this will always be a sign that someone is a part of God’s people. Generous mercy begins with the church family but overflows into those who are outside of the church family. If we are content to live in comfort and for our comfort, whilst failing to help those in need, do we really know God? This parable warns us that if we don’t bear the fruit of love and compassion, we are in danger of hell! We finish with the word of John:

‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’ (1 John 3:16-18)

1 John 3:16–18

Let’s pray together

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for your mercy and generosity toward me in my sin and failure. I was destitute but you redeemed me into your Kingdom and family. Forgive me when I’ve not be a ‘Good Samaritan’. Help me to see the needs and have the wisdom to serve the needs of those around me. Amen.”