Page 17 - Florida Sentinel 6-22-18

Reaping God’s Justice LUKE 16:19–31
Lazarus lived in a constant state of need.
Jesus took great time and care to set up this story to com- municate a message that is consistent with God’s love and care for the poor and His dis- dain for those who would mis- treat them.
God commands His people to be a blessing to those in need and to show the same compassion He has shown. Their abundance was never meant to be hoarded, but to be given freely so that no one would be in lack.
A Picture of the Afterlife (vv. 22–26)
In this parable, both Lazarus and the rich man died. Jesus then gave a glimpse of the afterlife.
Jesus convincingly m a d e the point that the soul exists after death. Lazarus died and was carried away by angels to Abraham’s bosom, which, ac- cording to Jewish tradition, was the place of rest for those who died in the faith of Abra- ham.
While Lazarus was carried away by angels, Jesus let the listeners know that the rich man was buried and went to hell.
To add insult to injury, the rich man looked up and could see Lazarus in heaven. While the rich man was in torment, the very man he had scoffed and ignored on earth was now in comfort at Abraham’s side. Thinking he could use his in- fluence as a descendant of Abraham, the rich man sought to draw upon his lineage to re- ceive mercy.
In his continued arrogance, the rich man pleaded with Abraham to allow Lazarus to serve him by providing relief from his agony. Now the roles had been reversed: Lazarus was in comfort and the rich man was in agony. Abraham spoke to the rich man, noting that a gulf or chasm separated them and no one could pass between.
A Picture of a Final Plea (vv. 27–31)
Jesus closed out this para- ble with the rich man making a final appeal to Abraham on behalf of those he left behind.
The rich man asked for Lazarus to be sent back among the living to warn his brothers of the torment to come if they do not make things right (i.e., repent). However, Abraham responded that the rich man’s
brothers should listen to Moses and the prophets, who already gave warnings and calls to repentance.
The rich man continued to plead with Abraham, saying that someone coming from the grave who had experienced the afterlife would be more believ- able. But his request was de- nied.
Abraham responded: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (from v. 31).
Even in our churches, we often measure people by what they do, what they have, and whom they know rather than their display of Christ-like character. This is not the way of the kingdom. We live in a self-centered, entertainment- driven, overstimulated world where we are raising a genera- tion of young people who have no regard for the sacrifices made to enjoy the freedoms we have today.
In striving for a better life, we have forgotten that in our struggle as a people, we banded together and that this is the very foundation of our dignity—the heart of compas- sion to look at each other as brother and sister.
Today’s lesson reminds us that God does not want us to shut our eyes, close our ears, and cover our mouths when we see social injustices. We have a mandate from our Lord to care for the poor, the disen- franchised, and the marginal- ized.
In the end, God will see to it that those who honor the poor honor Him and will be richly rewarded.
Keep in Mind: “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime re- ceivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented”.
Hades. Also known as Sheol or “place of the dead” in the Old Testament, it is believed to be the region of departed spir- its for those who died. In Jesus’ parable, it is an impas- sible gulf or chasm that sepa- rates the lost from the righteous.
Abraham’s Bosom. Be- lieved to be the compartment of Hades for those who died in right standing with God due to their faith and obedience to the Law.
In the Talmud, a collection of rabbinic commentary of the Hebrew Scripture, it is men- tioned as the place where the soul rests after death. It is a place of privilege for Abra- ham’s righteous children.
The Scripture Reads:
Luke 16:19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in tor- ment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.
26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s
home.
28 For I have five brothers,
and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will re- pent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
The book of Luke features more parables than any of the other Gospels. Jesus used these illustrations to convey key principles of kingdom liv- ing. Early on in Luke 16, Jesus told the parable of the dishonest manager to make the point that to be true king- dom believers, we cannot serve both God and wealth (v. 13). After hearing this parable, the Pharisees—because of their own power and wealth— ridiculed Jesus in an attempt to discredit Him.
The Pharisees relished their wealth and power, but Jesus warned them that they fell short of God’s standards. He further bruised their egos by letting them know that God reads the heart, so it was use- less to justify themselves based on their works (v. 15).
A Picture of Life
(Luke 16:19–21)
In opening this parable, Jesus gave a vivid contrast be- tween the rich man and Lazarus, a poor beggar. He didn’t give the rich man a name but gave great detail about his way of life. He also noted that the rich man didn’t just eat well, but that he “fared sumptuously every day,” a sig- nal to the listener that this man did not eat to live but lived to eat.
In this context, the ability to buy and enjoy rich foods was a symbol of wealth and abundance. Jesus sought to drive home the stark contrast between the beggar and the rich man as He spoke to an au- dience who could relate to each character.
Next, Jesus introduced Lazarus, a home-less beggar who stayed at the gate. As a part of the lowest social caste, he relied on the mercy and kindness of others to even re- ceive crumbs to eat. He was unhealthy and malnourished; his clothes were tattered and worn; he lived in constant pain from sores that covered his body. Because he was an out- cast, the only touch he experi- enced was from the dogs that would lick his wounds.
FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-B