Listen to the Law and the Prophets
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Luke 16: 19-31
On the brink of the full Easter resurrection we have the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The last line expresses the connection: “if people do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
The law and the prophets teach that we should care for the poor. This parable reminds us that riches can get in the way of helping others. We can lose ourselves in our great wealth as we selectively hear what we want to hear. We can fail to do that which is most important—loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
There are so many people who live their lives without thought of tomorrow. They insulate themselves from others and fail to take advantage of their opportunity to do that which is right. Then something happens, and if they have the chance, they turn their lives around.
But what about those who do not ever turn their lives around? What about those who fail to hear the law and the prophets? What about those who even fail to hear that Jesus has been raised from the dead? Perhaps they will never get a second chance at eternity.
If there is anything Holy Week and Easter teaches us it is that Christ lived His life intentionally. If we follow His pattern for our lives, we will respond to the law and the prophets. If we stay faithful to Christ even as He stayed faithful to His heavenly Father, our lives will be joined with that of Christ in glory. That is something to watch for on this Easter Vigil day.