In these verses Jesus shows us the way things are. Regardless of what people believe about the questions asked down through time, Jesus gives the answer. Why am I here? Is there life after death? These are the mystery of the ages to society. Volumes have been written on man’s interpretation of things. All we need to know about life we’ll find in this passage. The person speaking is the greatest teacher the world has ever known—Jesus Christ. He is the authority on the subject and has the greatest credentials of any to speak about it. He told us the truth right here, and it’s up to each person to accept or reject. We sure can’t deny what he’s saying because this is how life has gone down through the centuries. People live. People die. People continue on. What matters is what we have done with the scriptures.
Luke 16: 19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And 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; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And 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. 25But 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. 26And 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. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
This is the plain truth whether we like it or not, whether we believe it or not. To deny this leaves us open to anything. When we leave this world we’ll see God is right about it—the reality of life, death, and eternity. Jesus often used illustrations to get his truths across. This one is not used figuratively. Jesus related an actual event. He does not elaborate nor explain its truths. He simply lets this occurrence teach for itself. And teach it does. There was a certain rich man. There was a certain beggar named Lazarus. They both lived, died, and went into eternity, one prepared and the other not prepared. A person can go into eternity unprepared, but he still goes having been loved by the Savior. It breaks the heart of God when someone dies lost. We’re not given this rich man’s name, but Jesus knew it. Regardless of how well off or how well known a person is doesn’t matter. Does God know you in a personal relationship? God knew both these men, but only one in a personal way. Both lived here but lived very different lives. This relates to each of us letting us know how things are regardless of how we think or feel about it. It would do us well to take heed to what Jesus said. He came in truth; he is the embodiment of truth. He called himself the way, the truth, and the life. The truths of life and death Jesus talks about here come from someone who knows. We can learn about now and what is to come.
We’re experiencing one state of life right now because we’re alive. We’ll experience the next step one day. Death and eternity will come. Are you concerned about that spiritually? We’re so surrounded by living that we don’t have time to think about dying and eternity. We hesitate at the thoughts believing we’ll be here years from now. We can talk about someone passing away as if it’s not going to happen to us, but it will. Don’t be so caught up in life that the day catches you unaware.
Both of these men had the gift of life. We have that too. It began at the moment we were conceived. It’s important to really grasp that life is a gift from God. Both of these men were distinct men. Others may have been rich; others may have been poor. However, no one was just like them. There is not another you. There was a certain rich man and a certain beggar. There is a certain you and a certain me. We don’t know the length of life. Regardless of how different life is from one person to the next, we all have the blessing of being alive. When our lifespan is over, it’s over. Both men died. You will too. I will. We need to make life count.
The rich man had worldly goods. Lazarus was a beggar. I don’t know if they were born into their respective stations in life or things just turned out this way. Know this first. Money doesn’t take people to hell any more than being poor takes you to heaven. It’s the love of money that gets people in trouble. Eternity is decided by what a person does with the scriptures. These men had the writings of Moses and the prophets which pointed to the need of a Savior and the coming Messiah. Lazarus accepted this into his soul; the rich man did not.
You’re more than a body. Inside is a living soul that will live forever. In the eyes of God, the soul matters. The rich man had not repented of his sins. Lazarus had. I won’t ask you how you’re faring in life. There is someone poorer than we are; there is someone richer. Life doesn’t consist by the things we possess. You can have ill health or good health. Neither takes you to heaven. One thing for sure is that we don’t have as much life ahead of us as there is behind us. Are you ready now? You need the Lord as much right now as you’ll need him at death. The rich man could have used his life differently and been the influence his brothers needed.
Both men came to the point of death. It came to pass. It happened. Every day we move closer to death. Even rich, this man died. Humble and poor, Lazarus still died. Face it now. As sure as you’re living today, you will come to death if the Lord doesn’t return first. Dying may be different from person to person. Some may die quickly; others die slowly and suffer. Death, however, will be the same. The heart will stop. Brain activity will quit. We could be dead in 10 minutes. Are you ready?
The rich man had it all, but he died alone. He describes it as darkness. Because Lazarus took care of his soul in life, angels took him to the bosom of his forefather Abraham. Both men entered the realm of eternity. I’m looking at people who will live forever. This body will pass, but death is a continuance of existence. Both of these men were very much conscious in the next realm. The body was gone, but the soul was awake and had transitioned to the next world. Angels took Lazarus to a glorious place of peace because he was right with God. It was a perfect place. There was no more misery for him. On the other hand, the rich man had always known luxury. Because he had forgotten about God he now knew misery. Lazarus was comforted. This man was tormented. He left his money and friends and died a lonely death opening his eyes in hell, in torments, on fire. He put it this way. Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Abraham told him to remember their lifetimes. Lazarus had nothing, but because he had the Lord, he was now comforted. The rich man had it all but didn’t have God in his life. Now he had nothing of comfort.
Where both went there was no leaving. Abraham said there was a great gulf that kept people from passing from one place to the other. For sure, we’ll die. For sure, we’ll go into eternity. There are two places to go. Neglect of the soul and the Savior for the forgiveness of sins puts a person in hell. Only those who have prepared their hearts in this life by trusting Jesus as Savior will go to the place called heaven.
That’s it. The rich man tried to get Lazarus to go back to warn his brothers, but Abraham said they would not believe him. They had the scriptures, and if they didn’t persuade them to trust God, nothing would–not even a person who came back from the dead.
If you’re neglecting your spiritual life and haven’t accepted Jesus as Savior, take the precious life you have and give it to Jesus. That’s the only way you can be carried to heaven like Lazarus was. Otherwise, you’ll perish in hell. What about it?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 