In our Tuesday discussion following The Chosen (season 4; episode 6), we explored how human beings can have preconceived notions about God and his perspective of life that are not clarified in his Word. For example, we might choose to believe that God will prevent traumatic things from happening in the lives of believers while on earth if we simply love and trust him; however, traumatic things happen all the time to those who are pure in heart. We might choose to believe while on earth God will spare us heartache and disappointment based on the power of our faith; however, God is near to the brokenhearted. We must align our theology of God with the Truth of his Word.
I believe we serve a very powerful God who loves us, but our belief’s may not always align with God’s purpose and plan for salvation. We need to ask for understanding when we face difficulties. According to Scripture, God did not spare the suffering of his own Son, but gave him up for all of us (Ro 8:32). As well, Jesus prepared his disciples for the challenges ahead of them, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith…so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:1, 33-34). Jesus was seeking to convince his disciples about the truth of a life beyond this world and the need to press on in hope while on earth.
In our passage today, Jesus shares a case history about two people and their experiences in this earthly life with wealth, poverty, and their eternal destination. In the passage, we meet an unnamed rich man, as well as a poor man named Lazarus [no connection to the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead]. The rich man parades his wealth, feasts on delicious foods, and enjoys the finest things in life while he knowingly allows his neighbor, Lazarus, to remain hungry and suffer. He thinks only of himself and his pleasures. Lazarus begs for simple crumbs, is met with indifference, but presses on in faith. Then, both men face death.
The roles then reverse and Lazarus is the recipient of the blessings of Abraham and the rich man finds himself in a place of torment and punishment. Lazarus was not saved because he was poor; nor was the rich man sent to Hades because of his wealth. Both men had a vastly different earthly life, but Lazarus was a descendent of Abraham—a person of faith.
After Jesus died for the sins of the world, eternal life opened to humanity. At death, human beings either find themselves in the presence of God or in the place of torment. The spirits and souls of both the rich man and Lazarus were transported. In this passage, Jesus reminds us of eternal realities and we should not see this as a parable; but rather the truth according to the Living Word.
Luke 16:19-31 NLT Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this lesson about the heart. You have assigned to us different experiences and we must find our faith in you and trust you no matter how difficult things may be at times. As well, we need to find ourselves filled with compassion and learning to share your blessings with others. Help us ponder this lesson today and put your love into practical acts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.