January 16: Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Not a C.S. Lewis

Scripture: Luke 16:30 "‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 "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.’"

Observation: Some say that Jesus’ story about the rich man and Lazarus is a parable. I believe it is a true story about real people. But if it is only a story, Jesus never told stories about fictitious people, places, or things. His parables were always true to life. Jesus was not a C.S. Lewis writing the Chronicles of Narnia about a magical land with animals that talk. Here the rich man, tormented in hell, begs for someone to be sent from the dead to warn his brothers.

Application: I need to be careful not to underestimate the power of the Word of God. The rich man was told that the written Word, which at that time consisted of the Books of Moses and the Prophets, was more powerful than someone with a fantastic testimony about being raised from the dead.

Prayer: Lord, help me keep Your Word fresh in my heart, always ready to share it with others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!