THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Luke 16:19-31 / Keywords 16:29

Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

 

The Rich Man and Lazarus

16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.’

25 “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. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “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.’”

1. A rich man lived in luxury while closing his eyes to the needy. At his gate, a beggar named Lazarus suffered from hunger and sickness. After both men died, a drastic reversal happened. Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s side in heaven; the rich man found himself in hell. He asked Abraham to send Lazarus to ease his pain, but his request could not be granted because of the chasm between heaven and hell. There are two points: First, death is not the end of life. After death, everyone will be carried to their eternal destiny which no one can reset. For children of God, death takes them to their eternal home with Christ Jesus (2Cor. 5:8). But for those who reject Christ, death opens the gate of hell to a Christless eternity. We all have an appointment with God and his judgment. Second, our eternal destiny depends on what we do with Jesus now. In this life, we must open our eyes to care for the needy in Jesus’ love. Otherwise, our life becomes selfcentered and callous.

 

2. The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers and warn them. But what his brothers should do was repent based on God’s words, believe in Jesus, and live a life taking care of the needy. God gave life to each of us, but to prepare for the life to come, we must believe and live in Jesus in this life.

 

Prayer Lord, help me live for God’s kingdom and for the needy.

One Word Believe and live in God’s words