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Bridge to youThursday, March 4, 2010
Luke 16:19-26 "Both men died. The angels carried the poor man to the lap of Abraham. The rich man was buried. In hell and in torment, the man who had been rich looked up and saw Abraham in the distance with Lazarus in his lap. "He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.'
"Then Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It's not like that here. Here he's consoled and you're tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.' "
It's not always so obvious on this side of eternity. Having a meal with someone gives both of us a chance to feel around under the surface for empty places. How are you? What are you thinking about? What matters to you today? Of course you see me from a different point of view than I see myself. Tell me what you see. I want to know. Whenever I fail to ask questions like this, I regret it afterward. Kind of feels like a missed opportunity for us both. What if the rich man had invited Lazarus to eat a few meals with him, and when Lazarus' belly was full they just talked? How much of a hit would arrogance have taken? They both might have learned so much. Christians sometimes call themselves brothers and sisters in Christ. I imagine Lazarus and the rich man becoming brothers, appreciating each other's strengths, helping each other with their weaknesses. Looking for something more real together than they had apart. Discovering the joy of mercy and acceptance. Getting to know their limitations and accepting them, surrendering their being to God. God sees me in all my glorious uniqueness, one being among all he has made, and he treats me that way. The least I can do is extend that same joy and curiosity to the special being that is You. We were made for this. Lord, slow down my mind and close my mouth. Give me questions and curiosity, a hunger to know more about your children when you spin our orbits together for a moment. And thank you for never tiring of our conversations, for your desire that I know myself the way you do. |
Biff Rose wrote, "He's just the shell of a man: if you hold him to your ear you can hear the oceans roar." Would that be Lazarus or his rich could-a-been-benefactor? I guess the rest of the story makes that answer clear.