Friday, August 3, 2012

Role Reversal...

 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
 
(Luke 16:19-24 ESV)
What a contrast - two men, one covered with designer clothes, the other covered with sores; one who ate whatever he wanted, having a banquet every day; the other never having enough to eat; the one being oblivious to the other's need; the other imagining what he could never see.  Then it happened: they died. The first could find no satisfaction, no quenching of his thirst, and had to see what he was missing out on; the other was healed, at rest, and satisfied.  You would think by now he would see that he had been oblivious to all those around him in need, but he was not.  He still saw them as less than he, good only to fulfill his own desires.  Are we aware how selfish we are?

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