Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Feb 2 2020 - Luke 16:19-17:10 – Uncomfortable words

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus makes for uncomfortable reading. It affirms that there are rewards and punishments in the life to come and a clear separation between those who suffer punishment and those who receive blessing. However, it scarcely fits the simplistic presentation of the gospel – trust in Jesus and you have a guaranteed place with Abraham. Rather its focus is upon the conduct and lifestyle of the rich man. He used what he had been given to ensure that he lived a comfortable life while others starved at his gate. This is why he finds himself now in torment.

Jesus' teaching is designed to disturb the comfortable – those who are at ease in Zion. Jesus came not simply to give a free ticket to heaven; he came to transform a world gone wrong, a world marked by greed, injustice, oppression and self-worship. He calls for us not only to believe in him but to follow him into the life of the kingdom, a life that turns this world's values upside down. He calls us to follow him in the way of the cross, giving ourselves to the service of others.

This parable is an uncomfortable one for Western Christians, for we have made ourselves comfortable in a world of need.

I am not suggesting that we need to beat ourselves up or go on some sort of guilt trip, nor that we should give away all that we possess and make ourselves beggars in following Jesus. Our ability to give to others depends upon us having something to give. Rather, I am issuing the challenge to myself and to you; we need to listen to what Jesus is saying and to hear it afresh for ourselves. We need honestly to ask how this parable addresses us and not to assume that is has nothing more to say to us because we are trusting in Jesus.

In particular, we need to ask what we are doing with all that God has given us. Are we using it to make ourselves comfortable or are we using it also for the help and comfort of others. Are we doing what we can to close the great chasm between rich and poor, those who live in comfort and those in need? We need to hear afresh what the Lord requires of us.

Jesus came to transform the world, but many of those who followed him were looking only for a free lunch – or perhaps a more impressive sign. Jesus said, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). Believing in his resurrection requires us to live towards the world to come – a world from which greed and injustice shall be banished for ever.

The kingdom is displayed in the way we live towards others – it’s about living well together and being a blessing to one another. And it’s not just about our use of possessions; it’s also about attitudes of the heart. Jesus calls us to forgive one another and to go on forgiving – though this does not mean being blind to another’s faults (17:3-4). But above all, Jesus tells us to be careful never to discourage someone else in their following of Christ. He warns those who lead others away from him that they will face the severest judgment (17:1-3). We need to treat his words seriously, take them to heart and ensure that his words shape our thoughts and our conduct.

Lord Jesus, help me not to be conformed to the pattern of this world but to be transformed in every aspect of my life by the help and power of your Spirit. Out of personal transformation, enable me to have a transforming influence upon the world around me that I may bring into it something of the life of the age to come. Help me to hear your voice and follow you, and so to be an encouragement and blessing to others.

6go6ckt5b8|00005AC6389D|Blog|Body|8649249D-56DD-4897-A779-15D25425DDC9

Feb 2 2019 - Genesis 41:1-43 – Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams

Pharaoh had disturbing dreams and all his magicians and wise men were unable to interpret them. At last, his cupbearer remembers Joseph and, to his shame, the request Joseph had made of him two years earlier. When Pharaoh is told how Joseph interpreted the dreams of his officials he calls for him to be brought to court. After a wash and shave, Joseph appears before Pharaoh.

Again, Joseph makes no claim to be able to interpret dreams by his own power, but he is confident that God can reveal their meaning. So the strange dreams are told to Joseph and he in turn tells Pharaoh their meaning. Joseph tells Pharaoh that God has been gracious in revealing what is about to happen; seven years of abundant harvests will be followed by seven years of famine.

Joseph has done all that was asked of him, but he has more to say. Also, no doubt, at the prompting of the Lord, this foreign prisoner has the temerity to advise Pharaoh of what he should do. He should appoint a wise and trustworthy official to supervise the collection and storage of the excess grain during the years of plenty so that there is food for the people during the years of famine. Pharaoh and all his court immediately recognise the wisdom of this suggestion and that Joseph possesses wisdom given him by God that makes him the most suitable person to take on this great responsibility.

Joseph has been raised up from prison to sit among princes; he has become a great and powerful man in Egypt. He set about building granaries in every city in Egypt to store away grain from the years of plenty so that when the famine came he might be able to provide for the needs of the people. The chapter ends by telling us that, "all the earth came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth" (41:57).

Joseph was a man who knew God. Despite all the troubles that had come his way, he had not become resentful of God nor had he turned away from him. Rather, he had trusted God, grown in character and had gained wisdom by learning from God. With God, there are no wasted years; only years of preparation for new areas of service. God had been preparing this young man to be the means through which he would bring blessing to all the needy peoples of the earth. God's promise to Abraham is being fulfilled.

But let me take you back for a moment to verse 42 where we read, "Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain round his neck." What does that remind you of? It reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son and the way in which the waiting father treats his returning son. In Christ, God has blessed us with riches and status beyond that enjoyed by Joseph. We have been lifted out of imprisonment to sin, clothed in garments of righteousness and given the status of children of the living God. We have the promise that we will reign with Christ over all that he has created. Our calling in Christ is to share these blessings with all people on earth.

Loving Father, your word tells me that, "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3). But I am so often preoccupied with my own comfort rather than your kingdom that the merest discomfort produces dissatisfaction, resentment and bitterness. Lift my eyes and enlarge my vision that I may see and understand all that you have given me in the Lord Jesus Christ. Give me delight in submitting to your will and serving you faithfully wherever you may place me. Enable me to bring your blessing to those in need.

6go6ckt5b8|00005AC6389D|Blog|Body|6BD9F7C5-EB61-45C7-9409-A4ED35F23FDD

Peter Misselbrook