The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus

The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Luke 16: 19 -31

Introduction • One of the most haunting and sobering passages of Scripture is that of Luke 16: 19 -31. • In this particular section of Scripture, we read of two men, two lives, two deaths and two eternal destinies • Jesus taught there are only two pathways and two destinies that anyone can be on (Matt. 7: 13 -14).

Introduction • Jesus did not preface this story with such words as “the kingdom of heaven is like”. • Some scholars believe this story is not fiction or even a parable, • But an actual event spoken as if it actually happened. • The events of the context should lead us to believe this to be a parable, but even if true, there are lessons to be learned.

Luke 16: 19 -31 • Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

Luke 16: 19 -31 • Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame”.

Luke 16: 19 -31 • But Abraham said, “child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, in order that those who wish to come over from here to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us”

Luke 16: 19 -31 • And he said, “then I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment”. But Abraham said “They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them”. But he said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!” But he said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead”.

The Rich Man • Early scholars also call him by the name of Maldives. • It is obvious that his riches were more important than anything else. • Lazarus was nothing more than a trophy to show off his benevolent side to others. • Other than let Lazarus hang around to capture crumbs, he did nothing for the man.

Lazarus • Other than the fact he was poor and sickly, we know nothing of him from the scriptures. • Yet we can reason from the scriptures to surmise that Lazarus was faithful to God. • Otherwise he would not be in a place of comfort.

Comfort And Torment • Hades is the realm of the dead brought to mankind through the pagan religions and mythological stories of the day. • The closest word in the Old Testament is “sheol” which in simple terms, means the grave or death. • It is obvious that there are only two destinies. • Comfort for the faithful, and torment for the wicked.

Comfort And Torment • This parable also gives us a glimpse into the afterlife. • Those who are not faithful will suffer torment. • Combine this with darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dies not, fire and brimstone, the second death, loneliness. • Worst of all, there will be separation from God. • But maybe even worse than that:

My Child, Remember: • Certainly one of the worst things about being lost in the eternal realm will be the ability to remember what could have and should have been done while on earth. • “Son, remember” echoes through the discerning reader’s mind. • None of us wants to find ourselves looking back with regret after we leave this life. • What should we remember as we consider this story?

My Child, Remember: • Earthly things will not last. • The rich man seemed to have it all in this life (verses 19, 25), but nothing in death. • None of us will be able to take our earthly goods with us when we die (Job 1: 21; Ecclesiastes 5: 19; 1 Timothy 6: 6 -8). • Eventually the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (2 Peter 3: 10). • Therefore, our thoughts and investments should be toward heaven (Matthew 6: 19 -21; Colossians 3: 1 -4).

My Child, Remember: • The faithful will be rewarded. • Lazarus was rewarded for a life of faithfulness. • Only the faithful will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2: 10). • Only those who have given themselves completely to God’s will and who die in the Lord will find eternal happiness (Revelation 14: 13). • I believe this describes Lazarus.

My Child, Remember: • Only one life is given to serve God. • The rich man had his opportunity to focus on what really mattered—but he did not (Mark 12: 30 -31). • Life is not a dress rehearsal or walk-through before the big game. • It is the big game. • Now is the time to get things right with the Lord and to seek Him first (2 Corinthians 6: 1 -2).

My Child, Remember: • In death one’s legacy is sealed. • The rich man desired to help his five brothers in death (verse 28). • But in death it was too late for him to be any kind of influence for his siblings. • Whatever effect he had on their lives was “all said and done. ” • This reminds us of the need to take advantage of every opportunity to do good now (Ephesians 5: 15 -17).

My Child, Remember: • One day all hope will be lost for the disobedient. • In life there is hope of salvation and a relationship with God. • This hope in fact saves (Romans 8: 24). • However, when death comes and then the judgment, if one finds himself separated from God, there no longer remains any possibility of sweet redemption (cf. Hebrews 9: 27). • Therefore, we should remember the need to seek the Lord now while He may be found (Isaiah 55: 6).

Great Gulf (Chasm) • Shows the impossibility to leave hell and get into heaven. • Also shows the impossibility to leaven heaven to go to hell (but who would want to? ). • Also notice that the rich man could see Lazarus, but Lazarus did not see the rich man. • Consider this also as a form of punishment, knowing that you could have lived your life to enjoy such comfort, but find yourself in torment.

Only One Warning Available • The word of God is all we have to mold, fashion, and direct our steps. • We best allow God to guide us (Jeremiah 10: 23) • We best study God’s word to know how we are supposed to live. • God has already offered His grace, and He will not offer any special privileges for anyone.

If One Rise From The Dead • This has never worked. • People have always asked for a miracle so that they might believe, and turn to serve God. • Remember that God did many miracles in the sight of His people, and they still ignored Him. • We have the word of God. • If we do not learn from it, we will be lost also.

Conclusion • This should be a very sobering passage of scripture. • We need to be aware that our destiny is not just a myth. • Our existence after this life is certain. • Which destiny you choose is being made right now while you are living. • Once dead, destiny is sealed.