Lazarus and the Rich Man

Dear Brethren,

What are we supposed to learn from the parable of Lazarus and the rich man?  First of all we should realize that this is Jesus Christ's first-hand description and example of how He views the resurrections.  In this parable, there was a certain rich man who was clothed in the best and ate the best every day.  There is nothing wrong with wealth, but it is clear from the context that the rich man did not put God first in his life.

There was also in the parable, a poor, sickly beggar named Lazarus, who was not a part of the rich man's circle of influence or way of life.  It is also clear from the context that Lazarus was a righteous man while being impoverished.  "[Lazarus was] desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores."  (Luke 16:21)

Next, Jesus explains that both, Lazarus and the rich man, came to the end of their lives - awaiting, in turn, their respective resurrections.  Lazarus went to "Abraham's bosom," while the rich man did not.  The rich man, through rejection of God's way, faces eternal death where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when he sees Abraham, and Isaac, Jacob, and Lazarus and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and himself thrust out into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.  (Luke 13:28, Revelation 21:8)

"The rich man 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 receives thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."  (Luke 16:24-25)

Eternal life and eternal death will forever separate the righteous from the unrighteous.  "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."   (Luke 16:26)

The story concludes with the irrevocability of God's judgment.  Jesus died for our sins.  God the Father did raise Jesus from the dead - so that we might have life.  For neglecting so great a salvation, there remains nothing for the sinful rich man, " But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."  (Hebrews 2:3,10:27)

"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou would 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 16:27-31)

The last thought of the sinful rich man was to accuse God (through Abraham) of being unmerciful, but Peter reminds us. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  (1Peter 1:3-5)

***

Sermon:

"Lazarus and the Rich Man"