Kingdom Building
September 29, 2019
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31
Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’ –Luke 16:26-31
What is it about human nature that distracts us from seeing what is right and just, choosing to be drawn toward powerless idols? Why are we mesmerized by leaders responsible for our wellbeing who are only after their own interest? Do we think some of their magic will rub off on us? Why does Luke cast father Abraham in a very pessimistic role of perceiving people as either unwilling or unable to change even if they witness a greater power than they have ever observed at work before? Where is God in our system of priorities?
The older I get the more important I deem the commandment you shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3) which Jesus defines through a relationship of love when he quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 as described in Matthew 22:37: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Loving another is a choice. I do not know any human and certainly do not believe God wants anyone to be made to love another or love God. Such an act would be a direct antithesis of the meaning of love. I do think Jesus meant it when he said we were to love God which is measured to some degree by how well we love one another according to Matthew 25. Loving one another is impossible when our own interest is our priority.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we caste you in our lives below the gods of the world like greed and power. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.