The Voice from Hell

The Rich Man and Lazarus: A Voice from Hell

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story that gives us a vivid picture of the afterlife, contrasting the destinies of two men: the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, lay at his gate, longing for scraps from the rich man’s table. Both men died, and Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's side, a place of comfort. The rich man, however, found himself in torment in hell.

From his place of suffering, the rich man lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.'

The Meaning Behind the Story

I. The Contrast of Earthly Lives (Luke 16:19-21)

- Wealth vs. Poverty: Jesus paints a picture of extreme wealth and extreme poverty, urging us to see beyond material wealth as a sign of God's favor.

- Comfort vs. Suffering: The comfort enjoyed by the rich man in life contrasts sharply with Lazarus's suffering, reminding us that earthly comfort can lead to spiritual complacency.

- Ignorance vs. Presence: Despite their physical closeness, the rich man is utterly ignorant of Lazarus's suffering. This teaches us about the dangers of being indifferent to the needs around us.

II. The Reversal of Eternal Destinies (Luke 16:22-23)

- The Great Reversal: In death, the fortunes of the two men are reversed. Lazarus is comforted beside Abraham, while the rich man suffers in Hades.

- Justice and Compassion of God: This reversal underscores God's justice and His concern for the marginalized. It challenges us to reflect on where we find our security and comfort.

III. The Dialogue of Desperation (Luke 16:24-31)

- A Plea for Mercy: The rich man's plea to Abraham highlights the finality of our choices and the importance of seeking mercy and reconciliation with God while we still can.

How We Can End Up in Hell

Hell is often misunderstood, painted in broad strokes of fire and brimstone. Yet, the essence of hell is eternal separation from God. It is the natural consequence of a life lived in rejection of God’s love and commandments. When we choose pride, indifference, or greed over love, compassion, and justice, we walk a path that leads away from the presence of God.

What Hell Will Be Like

The voice from hell in Jesus' parable warns us of the anguish and regret that come from a life lived away from God’s laws. It's a place of isolation, where the opportunity for reconciliation with God is lost. The rich man's plea to warn his brothers is a reminder for us to live in awareness of our eternal destiny and to share the hope of the gospel with others.

How to Avoid Hell

The path away from hell is marked by the cross of Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). To avoid hell, we must follow Jesus, accept His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and let Him transform our lives. It involves daily dying to ourselves, our sins, and our desires, and living for Christ. It means loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Conclusion: Heeding the Voice

Call to Action

- Encourage the congregation to reflect on their own lives in light of eternity. Are we like the rich man, focused on our comfort and ignoring those in need?

- Challenge everyone to engage more deeply with Scripture, allowing God's word to transform our hearts and actions.

- Close with a prayer for eyes that see as Jesus sees and for hearts that break for what breaks His, asking for the grace to live lives that reflect His love and justice.

Today, let us heed the voice from hell—a voice of warning, but also a call to live lives of compassion, righteousness, and devotion to God. Let us be mindful of the needs around us, loving our neighbors, and walking faithfully with our Lord, so that when our time on earth is done, we may be welcomed into eternal dwellings, in the presence of God, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.