Jump Start # 621

Luke 16:23 “And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

We continue our look this week at the Lord’s story of the rich man and Lazarus. This powerful lesson teaches us not so much about what happens after death but more so how we ought to live today. What we do now determines what happens later. That’s a hard lesson for us. The temporary and the present seem to trump the eternal and the later. We do that in many areas. We’d like to lose weight, but a bag of chips and dip sure taste good late at night. We need to save money, but the latest I-something just came out and we sure would like to have it. It’s hard to live beyond today. Maybe the rich man thought that way as well. Sooner or later, he, as well as us, will run out of todays.

Both the rich man and Lazarus died. Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s bosom—an expression of love, comfort and acceptance. It’s like a huge bear hug. He was wanted and loved. The rich man didn’t make it there. His word was flame, agony and torment. He was not in Hell. That was still to come. He was in Hades. (For those with the King James Bible, the word ‘Hades’ is not used. It ought to be). Hades means the unseen world. It is not purgatory as some folks believe. It is where ALL souls go at death. Jesus went there. The penitent thief went there. Jesus called the place, “Paradise.” This is the same as Abraham’s bosom.

Notice a few things here:

First, the rich man recognized Lazarus. He was not a ghost or a cloud. He was recognizable. Also, he communicated with Abraham. They had a discussion. He asked for things. He didn’t receive them. He also had memory. He remembered that he had five brothers. He remembered what Moses and the Prophets were. He had feelings. He felt the agony of torment. This tells us that all that we are, remains beyond death. You will know whether you had a good life or not. You will know if you were married, how many children you had.

Second, the suffering after death is worse than the suffering in life. We don’t talk this way very much. A friend dies with a dreaded disease and immediately we say, “at least they are not suffering any more.” You couldn’t say that about this rich man in our story. Lazarus’ suffering ended. He was comforted. He no longer had dogs licking his wounds. He no longer was dumped by a stranger’s gate. His problems were over. For the rich man, they were just beginning. What does this say about suicide? What does this say about one who lives without Jesus? Death is not the worst thing that can happen. For the rich man there was no one to help him. He had no hope of improvement. He had no hope that this would end after a while. The picture Jesus gives us is not pretty. It’s not supposed to be. Don’t soften this. Don’t water it down. The feel-good gospel that is being preached in too many places today would remove the rich man from torment. Jesus didn’t. We need to obey Jesus!

Thirdly, the good life doesn’t look so great for the rich man in this scene. His fine clothes, his fancy meals, his big house, his gates—none of those things helped him. He probably thought that Lazarus was a poor, pitiful bum. Now look at them. The rich man is in a world without choices. He is begging. He has no one to wait upon him. He has no status.

What do we learn from all this? Maybe, we shouldn’t be so occupied with the material and start to get our spiritual house in order. Maybe, we ought to spend more time following Jesus instead of keeping up with what ever is the hottest item out there. Maybe what we think is so important, really isn’t. I wonder who got the rich man’s house? I wonder what they did with all his fancy clothes? Did his descendents follow his path to torment? Did his brother’s ever sober up spiritually? Did his death change anything? Will your death change anything? Will others walk in your steps and follow you to where you are going? Do you want them to?

If the rich man and Lazarus could go back for one day, what do you think would be different? I expect the rich man wouldn’t go to work. I tend to think that he’d rush to the gates and carry Lazarus into his home and find the best doctor and bring the best care. That’s what he should have done. Too late. I wonder what we would do different if we could come back for one day after we died? Do you think Jesus told this to possibly get people to think that way? It is interesting how this chapter falls in the gospel of Luke. In chapter 15, we have the prodigal who wasted given wealth. Then chapter 16 begins with the dishonest steward who found a way to keep from getting into trouble. Then our story of the rich man, who horded his wealth. Jesus is teaching about wealth, responsibility and discipleship. God is concerned about you and your money. Don’t waste it like a fool. Don’t horde it. Use it properly. Bring glory through your money.

• Make money without neglecting your soul
• Save money without ignoring others or the kingdom of God
• Spend money without it defining your life

Simple principles—the prodigal didn’t get it. The rich man didn’t get it either. I hope we do!

Roger