This week we are reading the parables from Luke 12: The Rich Fool in verses 13-34 and the Waiting Servants in verses 35-48. The parable of the Rich Fool follows up on our discussion last week concerning the Rich Man and Lazarus. As you read through this parable, look at the reason why the parable is being told. A man comes to Jesus because he is fighting with his brother over their inheritance, which neither brother earned but was given. How does this context give the parable its meaning? Maybe more than any other parable we have read, the Rich Fool is living the American dream. He has managed to build a retirement fund sufficient to allow him to rest from his labors and to comfortably retire. The Man follows good standard financial advice in governing his affairs by building a great storehouse of wealth. Why is he therefore called a “fool”? To answer that question read the teaching following this parable. (This is the same teaching found in Matthew 6.) If this is the teaching of Jesus, what does this say about how we should govern our financial affairs as well?
The second parable is that of the Parable of the Servants Waiting. As we discussed last week, there are certain parables that I have read before but have never truly understood the fullness of their meaning. This is one of those parables. Please read Bailey’s commentary. This parable is generally viewed as one describing the second coming, like the parable of the Ten Virgins/Bridesmaids we looked at the first week. Through a close reading, however, Bailey shows that the parable also addresses the incarnation and the atonement and looks ahead to Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. As Bailey points out, the second coming isn’t only at the end-time but is realized each time the Eucharist is celebrated.
Dinner is at 6. Discussion about 6:45. Ending with Compline at 8. Hope to see you here.
Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
Psalm 39:5-8
so that I may know how short my life is.
You have given me a mere handful of days,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; *
truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.
We walk about like a shadow,
and in vain we are in turmoil; *
we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.
And now, what is my hope? *
O Lord, my hope is in you.