The Great Reversal

Introduction

How many of you have been in public places before and there was someone there bigger than life that somehow steals the show of drawing your attention? You may remember the funeral I did in recent months for George Elijah that was at the Latino Grocery store. He was that kind of individual. He was larger than life and had a captivating personality. What traits captivate us? Maybe someone who is tall, a deep voice or maybe a great story teller? When there is someone in our midst like the one I am describing, people will nudge or lean forward to listen, they are captured by his or her persona.

There are other times when I think of a lady that has so much animation and excitement in her voice and people are just entranced by her enthusiasm over the subject she is discussing and she draws a crowd with her voice, with her animation, with her hand gestures. I know we can all immediately think of personalities like I am describing.

Jesus had all of these traits and more. He drew a crowd because people knew He was different. They knew something stood out about Him. Have you ever encountered someone like that? They draw you with the sheer presence of God in their lives? WE have all expereinced at times one who walked with the Lord and the Holy Spirit was all over them. And, when they spoke to us it was if they were looking right into the corridors of our soul.

Jesus was God incarnate then and He is God today, amen? Jesus could then and today look inside of us and knows the real you. He knows your soul condition.

You remember the story as the two men were walking on the road to Emmaus?

Luke 24:32 “32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?””

People were impacted by Jesus. The great teacher, Prophet, Savior, Messiah all-in-one captured the hearts of the people. They knew what He was teaching was life changing. They sensed transformation even as He spoke. They would hear Him speak and it would act on them as Hebrews 4:12 remind us:

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

We know that Jesus is the Word and He was impacting lives in this manner. Jesus speaks today and He peels back our heart. He brings about a spiritual open heart surgery. People of the day were being confronted with their lives and if they were on track they listened; if they were off course they listened; and they listened intently because he was arresting and they sensed they had heard a word from God, and they had.

Listen to the buildup as the people who were listening as we study Luke again today:

Luke 15:1–3 “1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:”

Luke 16:14 “14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.”

As Jesus shared these various stories and parables, God’s Holy Spirit was bringing conviction on people, putting people at odds with their status quo and causing a battle of the soul about spiritual matters. The interesting thing was there was either conviction and brokenness or combativeness and defiance. No middle ground.

Read with me:

Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:19–31 NKJV

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then 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.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Prayer

Message

At this point, we also read in Luke 16:1 “1 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.”

I added 16:1 to reveal that everyone was listening to Jesus. The disciples were listening, tax collectors and sinners were being drawn to hear Jesus and all along the Pharisees and Scribes are listening with disdain in their hearts.

The truth is when Jesus speaks, He does not draw a neutral response. Usually there will be conviction, He can provide enlightenment or encouragement, and He can strike cords in our hearts as well. There is rarely ever a neutral stance.

Jesus loved to teach in parables-earthly stories. There are a select group of theologians that call this story a parable. I say it is a real story. I say it is a real story because of two reasons: 1) The Bible will usually call the story a parable when it is a parable.

Luke 14:15 Parable of the Great Supper

Luke 15:1 Parable of the Lost Sheep

Luke 15:8 Parable of the Lost Coin

Luke 15:11 Parable of the Lost Son-the Prodigal

2) Jesus called the beggar by name-Lazarus.

There Are Contrasts in This Life

Luke 16:19–21 NKJV

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Jesus described two individuals in this story that were in bipolar places in this life from each other. These two individuals were different economically, they differed in what would have been a normal daily lifestyle, they differed in health status, they differed in the way that society perceived them, they differed in almost every way you can imagine.

Firstly, Jesus shared about a “certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fare sumptuously every day.” Then he described a “certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who laid at his gate.”

We see two great contrasts between these two individuals. But what is interesting, Jesus gave the name of the certain beggar. Interesting, the world gave all types of importance to the rich man, but Jesus called the beggar by name.

I believe there is an important lesson in this for us today that should encourage you.

Inequalities in this Life

You will encounter inequalities probably for the remainder of your years on earth. There are the haves and the have nots. There are those that just seem to receive all the breaks and then there is us. There seems to be those that are exceptionally bright and they grasp this advanced world we live in so quickly and they land great job opportunities and then there is us.

There are those that apparently their children seem to have it all together, they married well, they get along, they land great jobs, and all seems well. Yet, you spend all of your time on your knees in prayer over your families and pray for God’s divine intervention into their lives and the struggles you see they have.

There are those in their retirement around you that seem to have no struggles financially, they are having no health issues, they seem to be solid in their relationships and yet you did not anticipate this inflation and the health issues that would come about. Do you get the picture? There will always be those in our lives around us that just seem to have the silver spoon, for no apparent reason just seem to have it good and yet they have no apparent relationship with God or practice any religion that you can tell and yet you seem to struggle.

There is a reality of the contrast in this life. Some for no apparent reason seem to have the good happen to them at every turn for no reason apparent that they diserve it, and then there is little ole me, who has attempted to walk circumspectly with the Lord, and yet I encounter struggle after struggle in this life.

This story supports the fact that in this world there is inequality. There is unfairness. There are those that play with weighted decks in this life.

Furthermore, the rich man is represented in a life of luxury. All through the Word of God, the cloth of purple represents the wealthy, the kingly, the royal. The man represented the best of society in this world. Moreover, his wealth represented a self indulgence and a self interest and a self sufficiency or so he thought.

Luke 12:19–21 “19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.””

But, the best this world has to offer is not sufficient if our hearts are not right toward God and the things of God.

The rich man had a heart problem and it will become apparent in just a moment.

The Interest the Lord has in His faithful

Luke 16:25 “25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”

Interestingly, Jesus calls the beggar by name. Even though this man’s life had struggle after struggle, he remained faithful and the Lord recognizes our faithfulness. We see another inequality in this parable.

Matthew 5:45 “45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

It is so unfortunate, but we all pay the price of the sins of this fallen world. The beggar was the epitome of being at the bottom of the barrel at that time in his life. He was a beggar. Meaning, he did not have the financial wherewithal to take care of himself. He was sick with ulcers to the point of not healing. He could not afford medical care.

Dogs did not have the status they do today. They were scavengers and the picture was of a scavenger hanging with another scavenger.

But may I give you hope? Jesus loves you and He is aware and He never forgets your name. Your name represents His awareness of who you are. Your name represents your life, your conditions, your status, your predicaments, the roads less traveled, the hurts, the disappointments, your name reminds Him of your life and He has not forgotten you.

Lazarus in the Greek, Eleazar in the Hebrew-God is my help.

There is a constancy among all. There is a Judgment to Come

For you see, there are sins of omission and commission.

Sins of commission or sins we commit. Sins of omission are those things we know we should have done and we did not do.

Notice the rich man for a moment with me at the end of verse 20, “his gate.” In verse 21, the beggar desired to eat “the crumbs off the rich man’s table.” Furthermore, we read in verse 24 that the rich man could call Lazarus by name. Even though the rich man ignored the beggar the entire time He was on earth, it was very apparent he knew very well who he was.

The rich man was guilty of the sin of omission.

James 4:17 “17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Matthew 25:42–43 “42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’”

Dearly beloved, what we must know is that if God has been a blessing to you, He was a blessing to you to be used for His purpose. Do not look at what God has given you as assets or riches, look at them as resources. God has resourced you to bring rehabilitation in others. He desires that we take the goodness He has offered unto us and be a blessing to others when it is called for. Sin is not only about doing wrong actions, but neglecting to make right actions as well.

Let me ask you a question. Is the church not leading as many people to Christ today because it has shut its doors to the outside world? Have we separated ourselves from those less fortunate or on the wrong side of the fence or town or in a place we do not frequent because people will think we are one of them?

Let me present it another way. I know that when I ride the Eastern Boulevard home every time I leave the church going back to Elmore County, I will cross the Exit 6, I-85 interchange. When I drive through that area there are countless homeless people. I must exercise discernment as to who is a legit beggar. If you or I see a Vet down on his luck is he or she legit? We question- who is on drugs and who is not? Who are selling their bodies and who are not?

I know all these many factors go through your mind as they go through my mind. Are they so desperate that confronting them could be dangerous? Will people think I am one of those if I stop? Will the police stop me and as it may appear I’m soliciting them for some drug or sex and on and on.

But, let me provide another thought. Are some of those people scammers and not really hungry? Probably so. But if one of our vets is down on his luck, how humbling for him to be out there and do that? If a dad is truly begging for his wife and two children, how humbling from a past life would it be to do that?

Oh dear church, I’m not in any way telling you to stop there at 10:00 pm at night to help no more than I would want Jane to stop even at 8:00 am in the morning. I am saying do not have a closed mind, a closed heart, a standard response, but given the right situation, the Holy Spirit situation, listen and be available to be used by God.

There is Contrast in Death

Luke 16:22–23 “22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

The Commonality in Death

Oh dearly beloved, before I address the contrast in death, let’s not overlook the commonality in death. Everyone under the sound of my voice will experience death unless Jesus returns first.

I was out walking a couple of mornings ago and ran into neighbors while I was walking. They gave condolences for my father’s passing. Vickie asked me, “how did your dad pass away?” and I responded, “OLD.” I quickly told her by upper respiratory infection, but he was 99 years of age. None of us are going to live forever (in this earthly body I will add) even though most of us act as if we will.

Hebrews 9:27 “27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” Dearly beloved, we are all going to die and we are all going to be judged for our actions while here.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 “5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.”

Romans 5:12 “12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

Psalm 89:48 “48 What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? Selah”

Oh listen, death is a shared experience for all humanity unless it is interrupted by the return of Christ.

But, listen closely. Even though we all know we are going to die. If I were to survey-well, let’s just try it. If Jesus does not return first, how many of you know that you will die? 100%

The Curve Ball of Death

What is interesting though is that everyone of us, death is a curve ball. We know death is coming, but we are never ready. It always comes unexpected. And, we live life as if we will never die.

James 4:14 “14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

The Contrast in How one Experiences Death

Scripture states “the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” The beggar did not even experience a proper burial. There were no funds or any people concerned to see to it that his body was properly prepared for burial.

The rich man had a proper burial. People attended. I imagine his life was memorialized in grand fashion.

But listen closely, nothing of this earth that man accomplished brought about any difference from the beggar. They both died. Nothing different. Whether you have a big fancy mahogany casket lined with silk and flowers galore around the casket, or you simply die without any fanfare. At the end of the day, both are dead corpse.

Consequences for Our Choices

Oh dearly beloved, we read of two very contrasted lives. We read of some consistencies for both parties. We all are going to experience death. We are all going to be judged for our actions. There is a reward for right choice and their is a consequence for a wrong choice. And Jesus, doesn’t pussyfoot around exposing those realities.

Lazarus had a very unfair, struggled and difficult life here on earth. But even in this life as difficult as we can surmise that it was, the Lord never left Him. He knew his name and he knew His frame.

Even if it were crumbs from the rich man’s table, even if it was the saliva of an animal for healing, the Lord provided. And Lazarus stayed faithful to the Lord.

Do you feel as such today. May I share God’s Word to bring you comfort?

Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Luke 6:22 “22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.”

Matthew 6:33 “33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

We learn from the story of Lazarus that we are not guaranteed tangible blessings here on earth. Based on this story I can not preach a prosperity gospel to you. What I can say is stay faithful and it will have eternal reward.

Lazarus was rich in heaven and he was in the bosom of Abraham. In the modern day vernacular, He was in the life of Riley in the rocking chair of heaven. Amen?

Lazarus on the other hand did not even get it when He went to hades and could see across to Abraham’s bosom. He still thought there was inequality and the haves and the have nots and He ordered Abraham to send Lazarus to cool his tongue.

Hell is not preached about enough.

This text and other text remind us that hell is nothing you will ever look forward to being with your wild friends that you partied with here on earth. Hell will be moaning, crying, and gnashing of teeth. For the person that goes to hell they will never get use to the heat.

In this text, Luke 16:23–24 “23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then 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.’”

Matthew 25:41 “41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Mark 9:43–48 “43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—44 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—46 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—48 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’”

Matthew 13:50 “50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.””

Revelation 20:10 “10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Is hell real? Is hell eternal separation from God?

2 Thessalonians 1:9 “9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”

Summary of Hell’s Characteristics:

Eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46)

Unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43)

Torment day and night (Revelation 20:10)

Separation from God’s presence (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:50)

These passages collectively paint a vivid picture of hell as a place of eternal separation from God, torment, and fire, reserved for those who reject God’s salvation.

The Great Chasm

Luke 16:26 “26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’”

You can cry, you can scream, you can gnash your teeth, you can cry mercy, but once dead there is no crossing.

How can a merciful God allow such? The same merciful God sent His Son Jesus for you to avoid it.

Let’s pray.