You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4: 7+8
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by His side. So he called to Him: "Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” But Abraham replied: “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." He answered: "Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have 5 brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment." Abraham replied: "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” "No, father Abraham," he said, "but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent." He said to him: "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead". (Luke 16: 19-31)
God cares for us always, during life and in death! He watches over all His people and does not allow that injustice rules. There is justice! There is fulfillment of our hope! The death has not the last word. There is healing of hearts. There is someone who wipes away the tears of disappointment and injury. There is a place of security, joy, and peace. Love reigns which penetrates and overcomes everything. All that has come true through Jesus Christ! With His death He built a road from the land of sin leading through death directly into heaven. How glorious, Jesus is the Victor over all sin, guilt, failure, even death and ruin!
When my father died, it was a feast for the angels! This great and strong man had been finally only skin and bones. His illness had weakened him so much and the doctors could not help him anymore. For when I visited him and entered his room I stepped into a different world, into a heavenly one after having passed through the corridors of a noisy and hectic hospital. When I closed the door from the inside I was wrapped by the peace of God, which was present in the room. Not a moment my father was alone, God was always with him. The angels stood around his bed and waited for the moment when they may carry him to Abraham’s side. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Thank You, Jesus, You are the Victor! You never leave alone Your children, are near at their side even in the most darkest hours. Your peace is surrounding us. You have overcome injustice, sin, hopelessness and death. All glory to Thee!
Bible reading today – Isaiah 57: 14-21