December 29, 2024
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Advent 2024 – Day 29 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.58 through 4.60 (pages 115-119)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Advent day 29
“The Life of Jesus’ is filled with so many of Jesus’ parables and has been a joy to read.
‘Each story is meant to teach the truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. They are often engaging stories that contain few details but are RIPE WITH MEANING’.
What can you say about the prodigal son that hasn’t been said. Better than most. Who never gives in. The father RUNNING. the older legalistic brother. Your brother was dead. But now he’s alive . Lazarus and the rich man Rich man didn’t go to hell because he was rich. If his priorities were straight would have helped Lazarus and many more. Great chasm fixed. Too late. Hard truth to comprehend. But even worse pleads for someone to warn his brothers of hell. Even if someone comes back from the dead. They still won’t believe. Hard to understand the hardened stubborn heart. Heard a story recently of 2 men convicted of armed robbery. Both sentenced to death. First man hung 2nd man had friends that appealed. got to as high as the Supreme Court. President pardoned him. He didn’t accept the pardon. Rather be hung. All of mankind pardoned. Most rather be hung
How gracious the Father is to accept the son back so fully, like nothing ever changed….what a picture of God’s pursuing love on us. And what a picture of the legalist is the older son that cannot accept that grace and love are warranted. Works are the currency of relationship in the legalist’s mind! But not in God’s economy..not for His love and grace..to be in relationship with Him to then receive the power and forgiveness to live right. And the lesson Jesus wants us to learn from the dishonest manager is not his tactics, but the pursuit of money in general. It is certainly a trap that faces us all in the prosperity of the USA. Let’s let God be our master and not it! And what a window the account of Lazarus gives us into the other world. It is the only time in a parable that Jesus uses an actual name, which makes many think that this is an account, not a parable. Therefore it gives us a picture of what happened to people before the work of Jesus on the cross. Believers would go to a place of paradise, called Abraham’s blossom as well, and unbelievers to hades…the word for hell in this text. Jesus freed those in paradise to heaven after HIs work on the cross and resurrection, and Hades will give up it’s dead at the last judgement. Revelation 20.
I have heard that too, Pastor, that this relates an actual account. There are other scriptures that relay hints at this “location”.
When the demons are cast out of a man they ask not to be cast into the pit or abyss.
When the poor man died, he was carried by angels to Abrahams side in heaven. When the rich man died, he was buried in the ground and was tormented. What a stark difference there was between believers and nonbelievers! People can be so hostile to the truth of God, that no matter what happens to them here on Earth, they refuse to believe in God’s love, power, sovereignty, grace, mercy and truth. Because of their disbelief, they will not be redeemed.
I can see all perspectives of the story of the prodigal son: the prodigal, his father, and his brother. I think it is important to note the repentant and contrite heart of the prodigal. The son realized he had been very foolish. “Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But let me be like one of your hired workers.”
This is not an unrepentant person. Likewise, the brother is not an entitled brat. The Father sees both and encourages the faithful brother to take one day to celebrate his prodigal brother. He assures him that his faithfulness is not unnoticed or rewarded.
Perspective is key to repentance, forgiveness, justice and mercy.