God
will put people of like character into the same lot together and bring them
into judgment. In Luke’s version of Jesus’ ministry, he accounts for numerous
parables that Jesus used to illustrate Divine principles. It is interesting how
Jesus used the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to characterize the life of
a believer and an unbeliever.
Luke
16:19, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine
linen, and fared sumptuously every day...”
The
rich man represents an unbeliever. Not that a person has to be poor or lack
possessions and money to be a believer but that the rich man allowed his
possessions to stand between himself and God. The rich man had fine things
IE…purple and fine linen and had a lavish lifestyle (fared sumptuously).
However, it was not the things that he possessed that hindered his relationship
with God but the mindset that possessed him. For him, life was one continual
party and evidently, he gave no thought to the needs of others.
What
is the mindset of a rich man? Jesus gives us an example in Luke 12:16, “And he
spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth
plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because
I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I
will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my
fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God
said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then
whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth
up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Life, at its best, is
short. Our focus should be on completing the assignment God has given to us as
His servants.
And
there was a beggar named Lazarus. Luke 16:20, “And there was a certain beggar
named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores...” Now we see the
other side of the coin. Lazarus was laid at the rich man’s porch or front gate every day. The need was obvious. There was no avoiding the dilemma of this poor
man. He was really sick with sores all over his body (probably leprosy). He had
to be carried not being able to walk alone. He was probably poor because he was
sick. His sickness led to his total deprivation. So, why was he sick? Could it
be so that God might touch the lives of the people around him? Could it be so
that God might challenge every person that crossed his path? Here was a hungry,
homeless, sick brother, and how many people stopped to give him aid?
Then
comes the final hour! Luke 16:21, “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which
fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22
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; 23 And in hell he lift
up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom.” Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Heaven. The rich man died but
his outcome was much different. “And in hell...” (Hades-Greek) Parallels with
the Hebrew Sheol both meaning “realm of the dead.” The implication is the eternally dead without
hope or deliverance.
The
two people in this parable represent two different lives, two different deaths, and two different eternities. Both individuals had a choice. Though Lazarus had
a life of struggle, he chose to believe in his creator. The rich man, however,
chose to follow his own selfish desires avoiding the needs of those around him.
Lazarus sacrificed his mortal life to inherit his eternal life with Christ. The
rich man sacrificed his eternal life with Christ for his mortal life. What will
be your choice? Only you can determine your destiny!
Hebrews
9:26, “...but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin
by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without
sin unto salvation.” Getting Ready To Leave? Or, Getting Ready To Stay?
