L U K E  16 19=31  THE parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

This parable has been named punishment of the man who, never noticed. First, there is the rich man named in the parable as Dives, which is Latin for rich. He lived in luxury, dressed in fine linen purple robe, fed on exotic dishes each day.  In the cause of one day, he broke the fourth Commandment by working on the Sabbath. He lived in palatial property.

In the country in which he lived, the common people were lucky to have one day on which to have a meal. In those times, they did not have cutlery, so had to eat with their hands.  In the wealthy quarters, they cleaned their hands by wiping with chunks of bread, which was then cast away.

The other man was named Lazarus, (not the one Jesus healed) the name was meant to say God is my help.  He was a poor man covered with sores, which were an attraction to dogs who gathered around him as he sat outside the gate to the rich man’s house, begging of anyone passing.  He was allowed to have the bread cast away as his food. The rich man thought it was practical and inevitable, that Lazarus should have pain and hunger, as he relished his own food in luxury.

He knew the name of Lazarus, so obviously would know all about his poor condition, yet he ignored him.

Eventually, both men died, and the poor man was carried by angels to the side of Abraham.  The rich man  died and was buried, and in hell was in torment.  He lifted his eyes and saw Lazarus  with Abraham, so he called out, ‘Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus  to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this  flame.  Abraham pointed out to him, how he had lived so well and had all the good things, and at that time Lazarus had nothing, so now he is being comforted and you are in anguish.  And beside, there is a great chasm separating us.  No one can cross over to you, and no one can cross over from there to us. Then the rich man said, please at least send someone to my brothers, for I have five, and I want them to be warned form the dead, so they don’t end up in this place.

Abraham said, Moses and the prophets have warned them, your brothers can read what they wrote.  The rich man replied, No Father Abraham, but if  someone from the dead warned them, they will repent of their sins to God.  Abraham said if they didn’t listen to the prophets they will not listen to someone from the dead.

 

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This parable, is the only one in the Bible which describes the feelings of the unconverted after dying.  For this reason, in addition to other, deserves special attention.  Books have been written by people, of stated trips to heaven and return, or to hell and back.  I view them with scepticism, and recall listening to a young boy, claiming alongside his  father on a television progamme, he had been to heaven and returned.  He was promoting a book he stated he had written, and if all was true, he must have been a genius to write in such a way at his young age.

 

The Lord Jesus tells of two men, one very rich quoted as Dives, and a very poor man named Lazarus. (This is not the same man that Jesus healed).  The rich man lives, dresses and eats, very well, whilst the poor man has no home, has was covered with sores, and for food he eats bread which has been mishandled. And had nothing to cal his own.  He had some grace, but the rich man was self-centered.   The rich man never thought of helping the poor man, yet obviously knew he suffered, and he himself died in sin.

There is a widespread belief that the ordinary[ER1]  man is inferior to a rich one, but after years in public life, I am convinced how wrong that belief is. There are esteemed men and women in each class of society, and the ordinary person often excels, because they know the realities of life.  Abraham Lincoln once stated, God must have loved the ordinary person, because He made so many of them. 

In his Letter to the Corinthians Church, the Apostle Paul stated, not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble are called. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, let not the rich man glory in this. That he knoweth and understandeth me. Wealth is not a mark of God’s favor.  Poverty is not a sign of  God’s displeasure.  Those who God justifies and glorifies,  are seldom the rich of this world.  He should note  the men of God as he sees them, and value accordingly.

 Secondly, the parable states, death is the common end, which  all classes of society must come.  The trials of the beggar, and the sumptuous life of the rich man, alike are ceased at death.  The time came when both died.

Death is a great fact we all face, but fewer people like to think of it.  Some people seem to act as if they are going to live on this earth forever.  A true Christian should know this is not true.

Those who choose live on as long as they can, should remember an end must come.  People murmur and get disconsolate, some who are in poverty envy those with money.

The beggar died with having no possessions; the rich man died, and that ended his feasting.

 

Thirdly, the souls of believers are specially cared for by God in the hour of death.  The Lord Jesus tells us the beggar was carried by angels to Abraham.  We know little, if anything, of the state of feelings of the dead.  I believe that a person who has been very ill, and is a Christian, knows when their end is close.  I have heard a lady dying tell me, she knew the Lord was waiting for her.

When our last hour comes, and we lay down to die, we shall be like those who know they are going to an unknown country. For those who have followed Jesus, angels will carry them to be at rest with friends, and all who had faith.  Paul tells us they are with Jesus.

 

Fourthly, we learn from this parable, the reality of those who have gone to eternity in hell, tormented by fire. A fearful picture of the rich man ,crying out for someone to dip his finger in water.  There are facts to be faced, there is hell for the impenitent, in contrast to the believer in heaven. 

There is wrath for those who reject the Gospel.  If people are in torment, they will  find out they are too late to save themselves.  All those who mock Christians and the Church will realize the cost of rejecting to turn to God.  The Bible clearly states, God loves all people and wants them to be saved, but they must respond to His Word.

 Fifthly, we find the unconverted find the value of a soul after death.  The rich man who treated Lazarus so badly, is now desperate to have him go and tell his brothers, who are still alive, to save themselves from the torment he suffers, who probably neglected their souls and lived to their desires.

A bleak future for the unconverted is down to the failure to act wisely. They will have cast aside, the opportunity of an eternal future of peace, instead of nothing left.

Finally, we learn the greatest miracles  would have no effect on hearts, if they will not observe God’s Word   The rich man thought if someone went to his brothers they would repent.  The appearance of someone from another world, might make them search  Moses and the prophets.  The reply of Abraham disputed any search,

The principle laid down, and the words of Scripture, give all that is needed to save, and it was not necessary to have someone alive or dead, who could not do anything.

It is not more evidence that is wanted in order to bring repentance. The heart and will are all that is needed.  The dead could not tell  us more than the Bible does.  This is waiting, for something we have not.  

 Simple faith in the Bible, which all can now possess and read, leads to salvation.  This parable is bleak and forthright in its words.  Surely, a person who does not follow Christ, never attends to worship God, should seriously consider their position.  God will respond to anyone who seeks Him, irrespective of their past sins. There is always a number of people who  say they will think about  it despite the fact they may not have a choice.

Praise God for His Holy Word

 

 

 

 

 

 

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