Scriptures: Luke 16:19-31 & 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Song of Praise: Doxology
Devotion:
Jesus shares a story with his disciples that exhibits the stark reality of sin.
As a result of our sin against God, famine has come upon us.
One might surmise that harshness of a famine would be enough to wake us from our misery.
Jesus describes to His disciples the horrors of Sheol.
Sheol was the dwelling place of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, before the resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus' story centers on an unnamed rich man, and a beggar named Lazarus.
These men were well acquainted with one another.
Lazarus was a beggar outside of the rich man's gate.
From Jesus' story, we learn that the rich man is located in Hades, and Lazarus is received into Abraham's bosom.
These seem to be the separate holding cells within the place called Sheol; one is for the righteous, and one is for the wicked.
While in Hades, the rich man resided in misery, but Jesus says that Lazarus was comforted.
Jesus shows His disciples the difference in feasting for self adulation, and in feasting for God's glory.
The rich man was stingy and selfish, while
Lazarus merely begged for the crumbs off the rich man's table.
Despite having everything he needed while he was alive, there seems to be a famine in the rich man's heart.
This famine is revealed to us by his demands for Lazarus to bring him a drink.
Even in Hades, in misery, the rich man is still desiring to feast and consume for selfish ends.
The famine that sin creates in our hearts causes us to focus on the wrong things.
Troubled about his unfortunate accommodations, the rich man asks if his family might be notified about the sub-par conditions and the lack of personal service Hades had to offer.
What's the difference between the rich man and Lazarus? Didn't Lazarus want the same things that the rich man had, but simply didn't have the means? Is it sinful to be wealthy? Perhaps that is why the rich man went to Hades and the beggar Lazarus did not.
Although Lazarus wanted the crumbs off of the rich man's table, He trusted God above all.
Sores, empty stomach and the lot, Lazarus followed in his Father Abraham's footsteps by trusting in God as his true sustenance.
Due to the curse of sin, in life, Lazarus felt the very real torment of temporal, physical famine.
In his death he was eternally comforted at Abraham's side, and was without any needs. The rich man feasted gluttonously for a time and is now experiencing the full force of famine for eternity. The curse of famine was felt temporarily by Lazarus while he was on earth, but now his physical and spiritual needs are eternally provided for.
Strangely, despite his desire to warn his family, the rich man never asked to be removed from Hades. He didn't want to be in fellowship with God, he only wanted common comfort while in his rebellion.
C.S Lewis states in his book, 'The Problem with Pain', that
"The gates of hell are locked from the inside.”
This certainly seems to be true of the rich man in hades.
Adam's sin in the beginning plunged all mankind into famine. Praise be to Jesus, the last Adam, and the truer and better Abraham who brings us to his bosom.
Jesus doesn't merely dip his finger into water to satisfy our famished souls, He was baptized, and then received the wrath of God so we wouldn't have to. Because God's wrath is satisfied, the famine was lifted. Through Jesus we are again welcomed at the table to enjoy fellowship and feasting with our God. Here we will remain fully satisfied forever.
Table Talk Questions:
Before the resurrection, where did everyone go after death? Was everyone's experience the same?
What was missing from the rich man's feasting?
How does Jesus being the last Adam bring us out of famine?
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Meal: Butter Pork Bites & Green Beans, Mashed potatoes, Southern Mornin' Biscuits, Brown Butter Banana Bars
Recipes:
Butter Pork Bites
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 6-8
3-4 boneless Pork Chops, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
1/2 lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
3 cups Green Beans, trimmed
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Red Chili Pepper Flakes (optional)
*To use the remaining half of the Lemon, slice and use as garnish
Instructions:
In a large skillet, on medium heat, melt butter and heat oil, add in the pork, cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, and garlic.
Stir and cook until it is half way done. Then add in the remaining ingredients.
Cook until the pork and beans are fully done.
Add the lemon slices on top and serve Hot
Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-8
6-8 large Russet Potatoes
¾ cup Sour Cream
1 teaspoon dried or fresh Chives
½ cup Butter
¼-½ cup Milk
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Peel and dice your potatoes, rinse and add them to a pot of salted water. Bring the pot to a boil, and cook them until they are tender and able to be easily pierced with a fork.
Drain them, and place them back in the pot.
Add in the remaining ingredients, mashing everything down with a masher. Be careful to add only the amount of milk you want for the proper texture of the mashed potato. This will vary based on preference and the texture of the potato.
Serve Hot
Southern Mornin' Biscuits
Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 10-12 biscuits
3 cups Flour
3 Tablespoons Sugar
½ teaspoon Salt
½ cup Butter
4 teaspoon Baking Powder
½ teaspoon Cream of Tartar
¾ cup Water, VERY COLD
1 cup milk, COLD
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 450 F.
In a large bowl mix all your dry ingredients.
Slice your COLD butter into the dry ingredients, with a pastry cutter or even your fingers (try to make your hands cold so you don't melt the butter), Cut the butter into the dry ingredients.
You want to make a fine crumb, but not fully incorporate the butter. Some butter pieces are good.
Add in the COLD milk and COLD water.
Mix just until the dough comes together.
Dump your dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a ½ - ¾ inch thickness (depending on your preference).
Using a biscuit cutter, or, even a round drinking glass, cut out your biscuits and place them on a sprayed baking sheet.
Bake until they are golden brown.
Serve hot or cold, but definitely with more butter on the side.
Brown Butter Banana Bars
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves:16
Bars:
1 ½ cups white Sugar
1 cup Sour Cream
½ cup softened Butter
2 Eggs
1 ¾ cups ripe Banana, mashed
2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
¾ teaspoon Salt
Frosting:
½ cup Butter, softened
4 cups Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Milk
1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
For Bars:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter, cooking it until the butter's milk fats turn brown. Combine it with all other cake ingredients and pour in a 9x13 dish, bake at 350° until the middle of the bars are firm. About 20 minutes
For frosting:
Melt butter in a saucepan, cook the butter until the fats from the butter begin to brown. Add to the bowl of other ingredients and mix well. Frost the cooled bars and serve.