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HERE was a
certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared
sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was
laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which
fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into
Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up
his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send
Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in
thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but
now he is com-forted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us
and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence
to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then
he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my
father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest
they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have
Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham:
but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto
him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead.
(Luke 16:19-31)
The Gospel text for today, like every textual passage in Holy Scripture, not
only bears counsel and guidance to those of the time of their being spoken, but
also to us in our day. In the Reformation Church, all preaching was conducted
expositorily – that is, the scripture passage itself was used as the outline,
substance, and meaning of the sermon. Sermons were not built upon isolated
verses often taken out of context. It is God’s Word we are to preach, not ours.
In the sermon, it is the solemn responsibility of the preacher to draw direct
comparisons to the manner in which the textual passage has direct bearing and
meaning to us. God’s Word is not only history, it is also of present currency
in our time and for ALL time. It is a Living Word to all who read and believe –
but also to those who reject it and incur the curses and wrath that is sure to
follow such rejection. Jesus taught in parables to make the Gospel clear and
relevant to the people of faith. We must make our preaching relevant as well.
The world is very frank in its expressions of evil, so why should the ministers
of God be abstruse to the point of obscurantism in preaching?
The text for today is not
only a Parable ensconced in real truth, but presented by Christ in a perfect
compendium of much broader truths. These truths will escape the understanding
of the heathen, but come as refreshing showers on a dry and thirsty land to
those who love and cherish His Word. Many will refer to this account of the
Rich man and Lazarus as merely a parable; but I disagree due to the fact that
this is the only such parable that includes actual names of real people – not
the least, Abraham! Before we look more closely at this great parable of Jesus,
we must understand that Christ never uses a parable of things physical or
spiritual whose principle is not consistent with the truth. This story of
the rich man and Lazarus may be just as actual as it is figurative. God’s
principles never change and neither does His truth.
From today’s text, there
are two opposing personalities involved – a rich man (whose name is not given),
and Lazarus, a poor beggar. As we explore the Deep of this Parable, I hope you
will be asking yourself this question: “Which am I – the Rich man, or
Lazarus?” A good friend of mine from the West Coast recently reminded me of
the words of Solomon the King, 9 The
thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that
which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any
thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old
time, which was before us. (Eccl 1:9-10) Solomon was referring to newness of evil and
wickedness – it has always been; but I aver that there does exist, in the
Kingdom of Heaven, a newness that is readily and easily seen and defined – the
New Creature in Christ that we all become as devotees and believers in the Lord
Jesus Christ. And not only that, but our understanding may reveal new truths
(to us) that we never observed in God’s Word before and after many readings.
When I refer back to the numerous sermons and devotions I have delivered, or
written, concerning today’s text, I am amazed at the newfound gems of truth
that emerge with every successive reading of it.
One salient point that immediately comes to fore in this text is the reality of
an actual Heaven and an actual Hell. Each reader of this devotion has his final
estate in one or the other of these two destinations. Yet another point is
this: God does not always provide material reward to His righteous in this
world. The tables are often turned so that the wealthy are the wicked, and the
poor, the righteous. It does not necessarily need to be so, but often is. Even
a very righteous man may be corrupted when he comes into great wealth. He may
forget the estate from which he has come, and dwell only on the improvement of
his finances.
The deference which Christ shows to the poor man in giving him a Godly name,
Lazarus, or Eleazar, is notable. The name means, God is MY Help. We have
churches in the AOC in parts of the world in which every member depends upon
God alone for the next morsel of food they consume. This Holy name imputes a
righteous character to the poor man.
But what of the rich man?
He is given no name at all. Why do you suppose this is so? Because if our names
are not written in the Book of Life, then they are not written at all. In fact,
there are no names in Hell. Why would you need a name there?
19There was a certain rich man, which was
clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day
This man was filled with himself and cared not a whit for those around him. He
had much more than he needed, yet was unwilling to share a morsel from his
well-stocked pantry to a poor man diseased and dying. The love of wealth
petrifies the heart and closes its gates of mercy. Christ only refers to this
man as a “rich man.” He has no redeeming qualities that recommend him to God.
And there was a certain beggar named
Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores You may
wonder why Lazarus is a beggar? Could it be a result of his complete
helplessness due to disease. He could not help himself – he had to be helped.
Someone must help those around us who are unable, due to tragic circumstances,
to help themselves. Before the advent of utopian and socialistic philosophy,
the Church and Community were the source of help – and still should be.
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs
which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his
sores. He desired
no great thing – only to be fed the crumbs from the rich man’s table. These the
rich man did not need, but it is doubtful that the rich man cared enough to
give them to Lazarus. Even though men of means showered no mercy on their own
kind, at least the dogs lived up to their reputation of loyalty. The dogs
comforted Lazarus – not with food which they had not – but with compassion and
love. Are we better than dogs?
And it came to pass, that the beggar died,
and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and
was buried How casually does the LORD make reference to that
grave which awaits every beloved reader of this devotion. It shall come to pass
that each of us shall die. Then what?
You will observe a great
difference in the disposition of Lazarus after death, and that of the rich man
after death. Christ says of the beggar (he) was carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom Truly the destination of all righteous souls. Abraham
is father, not only to the Hebrews, but all who believe in the Promised Seed –
Jesus Christ! What a royal sendoff did Lazarus receive. Though a poor, sick
beggar, he was honored with the dignity of being carried by the angels to
Abraham’s Bosom. Angels are important heavenly dignitaries, but not so dignified
as to ignore any soul that dies in Christ.
How does the honor paid
Lazarus differ from the disposition of the Rich Man’s body? The rich man also
died, and was buried. He
was placed, not in the Bosom of Abraham, but in the depth of the earth – his eternal
home, or ultimately, Hell. Instead of the angels carrying him to Abraham’s
Bosom, the rich man lies in the cursed soil of the world. Quite well do the
final words of a poem by Sir Walter Scott summarize the matter:
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall
go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored , and unsung.”
But Scott’s words do not
fully reveal the extent of the tragedy of such a lifestyle – the fires of Hell
await such a one the very moment his eyes are blinded by death.
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in
torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Christ does not leave the reality of hell
open for question, but states the fact outright. There are fires in Hel, and
torments as well. There are no medical stations there to relieve the pain for,
in Hell, the character of its citizens rule – NO MERCY! The rich man can see
Lazaraus “afar off” in the bosom of Abraham. Heaven is a far off place from
Hell. But the wicked can see the delight of those in Heaven.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in
water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame
The pride of wealth no longer dominates the rich man’s thinking. He takes no
longer pride in his fine raiment for that was burned away the moment he was
cast into Hell. The rich man begs for that which he had none of in life –
MERCY! Lazarus is now rich, and the rich man a beggar. He begs for mercy to be
delivered by the very finger of him to whom he granted no mercy. Hell is a hot
dry place. The drought never ends there. It is interesting to note that there
is no evidence that Lazarus is aware of the rich man’s condition in Hell. Such
knowledge might dampen his joy in Heaven for he obviously was a man of compassion
as opposed to the rich man. Hell is a place of torment. God sends no one to
Hell – we send ourselves.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou
in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things:
but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. We
sometimes find men in conditions and circumstances from which we cannot
extricate them, but we still should have what kindness we can have and show
respectful regard. Observe with what sympathy Abraham addresses the rich man in
Hell: He calls him “son!” It is possible that this man could have been a true
son of Abraham as was Lazarus had he followed in that faith of Abraham in
Christ. But he was more likely a son by hereditary descent and not spiritual.
The temporary luxuries of riches born out of greed will avail nothing in
Heaven. The pleasure is so temporary, and eternity so very long – endless in
fact.
And beside all this, between us and you
there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you
cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
We must recognize that the distance is so great between Heaven and Hell that
none can pass to and from. No one has descended to Hell and returned to tell of
it, and the same is true of Heaven regardless the cheap little books of
commercial fodder marketed today. If you believe that you can visit Hell, you
probably will do so for longer than you wish.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore,
father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify
unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Even the wicked in Hell are aware of the
lost condition of their loved ones. Does this give cause for pause? Those in
Hell would do anything to save their loved ones (for the damned also love their
own) from coming to such a place of hot torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses
and the prophets; let them hear them. Have we, too, heard the voice of Moses from
the beginning in Genesis? Have we heard and heeded the writings of the prophets
and the Gsopel and Espitles that tell of Christ? If so, it is enough! We need
no astounding signs to prove our faith else it is not faith. An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign;
and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet
Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth. (Matt 12:39-40) Is the death, burial and resurrection of
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior enough for you, or do you seek cleverly
designed signs of men?
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if
one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Really? Christ rose from the dead and the
obstinate, faithlees Jewish rulers still hated Him. Faith is based in hope and
love, not sure evidence.
And he said unto him, If they hear not
Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from
the dead. If our
faith is not founded on God’s Word, no other considerations are important. We
believe because God’s Love is reflected to our hearts in the hope and reality
revealed by Scripture. If our hearts are made of lead, the iron Magnet will not
attract it. There must be a kinship (even if distant) in the heart that
responds to the Call of God. Do you have that kinship?
Friends, let us consider
this last verse more intently. The Jewish rulers claimed to be righteous and
Holy, yet, their lives and conduct belied the fact. They constantly pestered
Christ to show them a miracle because that would be their only foundation for
faith; but miracles are not the foundation of faith – our faith is based upon
the Person of Jesus Christ, and His Truth. The Law and the Prophets pointed, as
surely as does the Holy Spirit today, to the Lord Jesus Christ! Even if One
were to return from the dead, yet will they not believe if they have not known
the Mentor of our Faith! Jesus Christ did, indeed, return from the dead, and
the rulers of the Jews maintained their obstinacy of faith. They still did not
believe! Christ and His Life, Death, and Resurrection are not merely historical
facts, but are great stones of faith and remembrance to us. If we do not see
our own privilege of eternal life in the resurrection of Christ, we may perish
in doubt and loss of hope.
Today, the world
and its so-called churches, are morally anemic and fearful to address sin and
the devil as the enemy of our souls which they are. Our pastors are afraid to
mention sin, or to criticize the secular arm, for breaches of the moral law.
Until we
identify the enemy and offer the means of biblical defense, what purpose do we
serve as ministers and as Christian people?
