Scripture to Read: Luke 16:19-21
Jesus continued to teach the disciples who were with Him, and as we know, there were Pharisees there as well. Jesus began with a new parable that most people call “the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.” Luke recorded for us in Luke 16:19–21, “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.” Jesus describes for us two very different people. We have a rich man who loved to show off his richness by the way he dressed and the way he lived. We also meet a poor man named Lazarus (not the same Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead, though this suggests it was probably a common name in the days of our Lord). Someone would lay Lazarus at the gate of the rich man’s dwelling, hoping the rich man might show Lazarus some compassion and throw him a crumb or two from his daily feasting. It is hard to imagine someone being so cold-hearted and calloused that he would ignore the needs of someone who was covered in sores and unable to walk, lying at the gate of their home. But lost people live in the lusts of their flesh, indulging their fleshly desires (Ephesians 2:1–3). We must guard our hearts from returning to our fleshly desires.
Challenge & Application
What are some things that stick out to you about the rich man and Lazarus and why?
How are you making sure that you are crucifying your fleshly desires each and every day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!