(Today begins week five in our series, “The Kingdom of God Is Like…Changing Culture for the Sake of the World.” This week’s devotions find their heart in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31)

by Rev Douglas P Brauner

God’s Word is more powerful than miracles.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“[Abraham] said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'”
Luke 16:31 English Standard Version

You will find abandoned mines scattered throughout the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Whether these mines produced silver, gold, or some other precious metal all that is left are the decaying structures that once helped deliver these minerals from the ground. Snow, wind, and rain are taking their toll on what once were productive, inhabited, mines.

Mary Murphy Mine, close to St. Elmo, Colorado

These mines are symbols of death.

We’re uncomfortable with death. We would rather think about life than death, or parties instead of funerals. That’s how the rich man felt in the parable Jesus spoke, where a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate. This man partied every day while ignoring Lazarus. Lazarus’ only comfort, if you can call it that, came from dogs licking his wounds. Not even a scrap of food, from the rich man’s table, found its way to the gate where Lazarus spent his days.

After both men had died, the real party began, only this time the rich man was excluded and a chasm kept the crumbs from making their way to hell. In his torment, the rich man finally thinks of someone other than himself. He thinks about his family.

Maybe if someone would rise from the dead, they would repent, believe, and turn to God. That would be a sight to behold! How could someone not believe in the face of a resurrection?

“They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them.” (Luke 16:29)

The staying power of miracles is for a moment, but the power of God’s Word lasts forever. It is this Word that has changed our lives. It is this Word that empowers faith. May we trust that Word that promises a party, with God, for eternity.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado