pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: luxury


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A Good Shepherd

Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12 and 20-31

Ezekiel 34:27 – “They will be safe on their fertile land, and they will know that I am the Lord when I break the bars of their yoke.”

Photo credit: Ronnie Khan

Chapter 34 begins with the denouncement of Israel’s current leaders. What was the case before exile has continued in exile. God through Ezekiel pronounces doom on these poor leaders for living in luxury while ignoring the weak, the sick, the injured, the strays, the lost. There are many injustices so the flock scattered and then became prey. God promises to hold these bad shepherds accountable.

Beginning in verse 11, God offers the remedy. Here God proclaims: “I myself will search for my flock and seek them out… I will rescue them…” God will gather the scattered and care for the weak, the sick, the injured… As we continue in our reading we see that God will judge between the “fat and lean” sheep – between those living in luxury and those who struggle to survive.

God promises restoration, a new era. A David-like ruler will be appointed and a new covenant of peace will be established. Rains of blessing will pour down. Oppression and injustice will be no more. In verse 27 we read, “They will be safe on their fertile land, and they will know that I am the Lord when I break the bars of their yoke.” Without the yoke of oppression and injustice, there will be peace. There will be no famine; there will be no disgrace.

While the bad shepherds ignored these words of judgment, these words would offer great hope to the weak, the sick, the injured… to those living on the margins and edges. These words feel very relevant today. As injustices scatter people, as oppression sits heavy on others, as callous acts increase hunger, the people of God long for a good shepherd – not just for ourselves but also for the least of these among us. God’s children long for the rains of blessing and for a time of peace and grace. O God, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you’ve always, always, always had a heart for the weak, the sick, the injured… You’ve always, always, always called for the faithful to join you in your care for the least of these. Lord, bridge the huge gulf between our reality and your preferred future. Use us to be a part of that bridge, each in our own ways caring for the weak, the sick, the injured… for the scattered and the oppressed. Amen.


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Markers of Success

Reading: Luke 16:19-31

Verse 19: “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linens and lived in luxury every day.”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

Today we begin to look at a parable called “The Rich Man and Lazarus.” We will first focus on the rich man. We will turn to Lazarus and other aspects of the story later in the week. In the opening verse we read about the rich man. To dress in purple was a sign of wealth and power. To wear fine linens implied a life of leisure. Both of these are signs of success. Living in luxury every day was a sign of great wealth. The rich man has arrived. He has the life. That is how society would see him, right?

The standards haven’t changed much. Our culture looks at someone in fancy clothes, jetting here and there, living large as the epitome of success. In worldly terms, yes, they have achieved a certain status. For the rich man, this became his focus. Living for self became his goal. In the story it doesn’t sound like he gave Lazarus much thought. He does know his name. At some point he at least noticed the poor beggar lying outside his door. But Lazarus wasn’t worth much attention. Too busy enjoying and living life!

While I certainly don’t jet around or dress in fine linens, I do struggle at times to “see” those in need. I can get caught up in my version of success. By nature, I’m a doer, a checklist maker. These are my markers of success – getting things done, accomplishment, focus. I can get so busy chasing after these things that I can blow past the person in need that God has placed at my door. I can get frustrated when a person or circumstance is forced, rightly so, upon my organized and planned out life. What are your markers of success that can compete with loving the one that God places in your path?

Prayer: Lord God, when I get a bit too self-absorbed, bring me back down to the heart of love that lives inside of me. Gently nudge me, smack me upside the head – do what you need to do to remind me to love others as Jesus loves me. Lessen the self inside me so that others become my focus. All for your glory. Amen.


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Knowing Their Name

Reading: Luke 16: 6-19

Verse 20: “At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus”.

In the opening verses of Luke 16 Jesus talks about how many the love the things of this world and about how shrewd the worldly are in getting what they want. Jesus reminds us that we are rich in the things of God and he encourages us to be faithful in how we use these blessings. He concludes by warning us that we cannot serve both God and wealth. Just a few verses later we read the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

Our passage today illustrates what happens when one loves the things of the world too much. The rich man is dressed in fine clothes and lives in luxury. He probably does not know the name of the one who lies just outside his door. He treats Lazarus as if Lazarus did not exist. When one allows wealth to become the god that matters, then it becomes a struggle to see past your own wants and desires and pleasures. The focus becomes inward and narrow and selfish. Choosing to live this way does not yield an eternal home with Jesus.

We do not know much about Lazarus either. He was a poor beggar who lived a hard life. He was hungry but received nothing from the rich man’s excess. We can assume that Lazarus was a man of faith because he spends his eternity in a heavenly home. And we know his name. We know his name because Jesus knew his name. Lazarus was a child of God who claimed his place in God’s family. Contrast him to the rich man, who is also a child of God. He did not claim his inheritance though because he was consumed by the things of this world.

The world still operates this way. We know the names and faces of the rich and famous. We see a homeless person on the street and we’d just assume avoid them. Knowing their name is out of the question. Yet God knows their name. Jesus knows their name. And Jesus says to us, “Come and follow me”.

Prayer: God of all, you have eyes and a heart for all. Give me your eyes and heart. Jesus had the hands and feet of a humble servant. Give me those hands and feet. Strengthen me to walk the way of Jesus this day and every day. Amen.