03/28/2020
We look around us in life and it seems that there are those who always have it easy as compared to us. These people have money, power, prestige, all the nice things in life, and even in church they give the most, and often have the greatest say as a result. Life just seems to flow smoothly for this elite few, while most of us are struggling along, calling out to Jesus at every turn. Jesus spoke about what should really matter to us as we travel through our lives... our salvation, relationship with God, and entering the kingdom of heaven. He said that the wealthy, and privileged can become entrenched in what the world provides, whereas those who are poor, downtrodden, or struggling, cling to God for their survival, and look towards heaven for their ultimate joy, and relief.
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."”
Matthew 19:24-26 ESV
The disciples asked ”Who then can be saved?” first as just a simple and straightforward question... ”who can be saved?” or in other words ”What does it take to be saved?”, but we notice that in their question they used the word “then” which gives this question a very different meaning... “If people who have everything, and appear blessed, can’t get into heaven, THEN how am I ever going to get there?” Jesus gives the answer to this more complex question in the first of His beatitudes...
“"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 ESV
Are you hurting, suffering, being mistreated in life, or struggling every day to love God more, and to receive His mercy and grace as your only hope? Do you call on the name of Jesus all the day long for relief from your life’s travail? Are you praying incessantly, not for things, but for salvation? Do you praise God for a bite of food, and a sip of water... not just a brimming storehouse, or a lake of blessings? If you come to Him for your every need, and praise Him for those things that many take for granted, then your spirit will be lifted up, and heaven will be at hand.
“And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."”
Luke 12:15 ESV
Pray for those who have lives of plenty, and of ease; pray for their souls, and their salvation. Speak to them of God, and of the true power that Jesus wielded when He walked the earth. Teach them by your very life about what it means to be a Christian. Show them how to pray day after day when God’s only answer appears to be silence, and how to worship and praise Him in the midst of the storms as Job did, even after having lost his family, and all he had...
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."”
Job 1:20-21 ESV
Our lives are the greatest witness to our Faith. If we are poor and without, the Lord might call upon us to share our last bite of food, or a coin we can barely live without, and when we are asked such things we already know what it is to have nothing, so we obey. On the other hand, a wealthy man needs our prayers because his temptation is to live in luxury, to hold onto the riches he worships, and although he might give when God asks, he will give little in comparison.
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Luke 18:22-24 ESV
We should thank God for our meager lives of little that increase our dependence on Him, and for the storms that rattle our houses because they bring us to our knees before Him. In all things we should offer up praise, and in everything worship God, asking Jesus to intercede for us. Then, even though the wealthy might mistreat us, ignore us, or lord over us, we should pray for them because their souls are of equal value to ours before the Lord.
So do you look about you and see others living easy lives, or basking in plenty? Well, ask yourself today who has more... those who will die and leave everything behind, or those who have nothing on earth, but believe in God and Jesus, and have their houses filled with treasure in heaven. Are you challenged in your love for those who have much on earth, but less than you in heaven? Are you able to show them mercy and compassion as you pray for their souls, and their deliverance from worldly want? How do you love your neighbor? How much do you love them?
In times like today, when we face worldwide plague, disease, and suffering, we should pray for God’s mercy... not just for ourselves as believers and children of God, but for all those souls who don’t know Him. We should pray for the rich who receive the best of care with little concern for others, those that call out to false gods, and die a lasting death. We should pray for an increase in strength of faith for those faithful who are told to curse God and die as Job was asked during his suffering. Then, we should live our lives loving our God, and our neighbors... witnessing with how we live, even to our last breath.
Pray:
Father, thank you for the love and compassion you have for us, and for sending your Son Jesus to redeem us while we were yet sinners. Thank you Lord for teaching us how to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to pray for their salvation just as we pray for our own. Help us Holy Father to live lives before the world that will demonstrate your mercy, grace, and goodness. Let our actions of faith speak louder than the words we utter. In this time of global pandemic and suffering, teach us Father to worship you in the midst of our own suffering, and to reach out to others as we show them the life of Jesus while doing so. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who teaches us to love and live as your children. Praised be your name in every good thing you do, and in every act of compassion and kindness we preach, and live out in our lives; let your glory be known through us. Hear our prayers Lord, and the prayers of Jesus who abides in us, and intercedes for us. Let our worship pour over you like a warm oil, and please you always, and forevermore. Lead us Lord as we bring a bounty of souls, once lost, to your house today.
“but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.”
Matthew 10:6-11 ESV
Rich Forbes