The Life to Come (v1)
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Introduction
My dad will celebrate his 87th birthday in September. Our grandchildren are now having children, so far we have 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Eventually, my dad, Billie and I, our children and grand-children and great-grandchildren will step into the next life.
It’s one of the few things you can bank on in this life.
We don’t like to think about death too much because it can be sad and depressing, mysterious and humbling. Death is the final leveler of all people—everyone eventually faces it and walks thru the door!
For the past four weeks, we’ve been walking through a section of Luke that forces all of us to evaluate life and its significance.
In fact, today’s passage is one of the most serious treatises about life and death found in any written record.
Personal reflections:
For me, the significance of death and the fragility of life began over 45 years ago when my son and I nearly died and were rescued, I believe, by God.
I do not believe anyone can find significance in life outside of a relationship with God! Every time I have tried, and every person I have known, who attempted to define their significance without God, discovered ONLY temporary satisfaction.
Eventually life has a way for reminding us how fragile we are and how our choices determine our quality of life.
And when I think of “quality of life” I’ve learned to measure it in “relationships” rather than financial wealth. Financial wealth makes life easier, but when it’s gone it’s gone; while relationships feed the soul, fill the heart, and continue to endure through hard times and even death.
People I love have died; but they are still with me and I will see them again. When I spend my last dollar, I will never see it again.
No one here is really a victim of circumstances—all of us get to choose how to respond to life’s struggles.
Victor Frankl in his book Man’s Search for Meaning wrote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
In , Jesus finishes up a long day of teaching. Luke records three full chapters of stories, which is the same number of chapters taken up by Jesus famous Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount came within weeks of the beginning of his ministry, while the teaching in Luke takes place within weeks of his death and resurrection.
which is the same number of chapters taken up by his famous Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount came within weeks of the beginning of his ministry, while the teaching in Luke takes place within weeks of his death and resurrection.
We know from the intensity of the teaching, that these stories were very important to Jesus.
In this story, Jesus tells about a rich man and poor man.
It’s a short story, told in two brief scenes: scene one (on earth) and scene two (in the afterlife).
It’s a short story, told in two brief scenes: scene one is on earth, and scene two is in the afterlife.
In SCENE ONE...
In SCENE ONE...
We meet TWO of the four main characters of the story. We meet the rich man and we meet Lazarus.
We know the story is primarily about the rich man because Jesus tells us so in the opening verse. He starts by saying, “There was a rich man...”
“Once there was a rich man. He was dressed in purple cloth and fine linen. He lived an easy life every day.
This lavishly dressed rich guy lived the easy life every single day!
“There was a rich man...” ().
Then he tells us how lavishly this rich guy dressed, ate, and lived every day. Unlike the rich man in the last two stories we read about, this rich man is not a hero in the story nor is he a nice guy. He’s a callused, old guy who thinks mostly about himself. To this guy, the world revolves around his life and his needs—we’ll find this is even evident after he dies!
Unlike the rich man in the last two stories we read about, this rich man is not a hero in the story nor is he a nice guy. He’s a callused old guy who thinks mostly about himself. To this guy, the world revolves around his life and his needs—we’ll find this is even evident after he dies!
We know this because of the way he treats the second character in the story, a guy who is dropped off at his front gate every day named Lazarus.
In Hebrew, the name Lazarus means “he whom God helps.”
Lazarus is absolutely dependent upon God and he knows it. He’s in bad physical condition; there are sores all over his legs, so he probably has some sort of disease. Day after day, Lazarus is left at the rich guy’s front gate, and day after day, he is ignored and allowed to suffer without so much as a prayer or a crumb of bread.
In the story, Jesus says Lazarus was “longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table” ().
As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
Now, when you and I hear those words, we think of a table, probably fashioned out of mahogany or cherry, sitting off the ground, maybe with a throw rug under it, and surrounded by modern furniture and artwork.
But remember, Jesus is telling this story to first century Jews, so the image in his mind and the image in their minds is far different than a twenty-first century dining room.
When Jesus said those words, everyone in his audience had a picture of a Middle Eastern banquet, with guests, servants, and onlookers watching and waiting for the after-dinner entertainment.
H.B. Tristam, toured this area of the world in 1894 before it became commercialized, describes Middle Eastern banquets in the homes of the rich:
...entertainment is a public affair. The gateway of the court, and the door... stand open... A long, low table, or more often merely the great wooden dishes, are placed along the center of the room, and low couches on either side, on which the guests, placed in order of their rank, recline, leaning on their left elbow, with their feet turned away from the table. Servants stand behind the couches... Behind the servants the loungers of the village crowd in, nor are they thought obtrusive in so doing. (H.B. Tristam, 1894)
Got the picture? The rich reclined at a slightly raised table, waited on by servants, and watched by peasants who were allowed into the home to enjoy the entertainment that would come after dinner. The rich flaunted their wealth and were unconcerned by the hungry poor who looked on…
Lazarus, sores and all, is one of those poor loungers in the background. He’s called by Jesus, “a beggar,” which was a job back then, not unlike street beggars today.
Lazarus, sores and all, is one of those poor loungers in the background. He’s called by Jesus, “a beggar,” which was a job back then, not unlike street beggars today.
The fact that Jesus gives this beggar a name may or may not be significant. If you study all of Jesus’ parables, you’ll discover that this is the only one in which he gives a proper name to one of the characters in his story.
For this reason, and because Luke doesn’t mention that this is a story or a parable, some have concluded that what Jesus is telling here may be an actual story of two real people.
Whatever the case, that’s scene one. It ends with Lazarus dying and being carried heaven, and the rich man dying and going to hell. (Literally Hades—describe the picture of Abraham’s Bosom, Tartarus, Hades (PLACE OF THE TORMENTED DEAD)
SCENE TWO is in the afterlife
SCENE TWO is in the afterlife
This is where development of the story takes place, where the two other characters in the story are introduced, and where it becomes clear why Jesus told this story.
The third character in the story is introduced at the beginning of the scene. It’s Abraham, the spiritual father of the Jewish nation.
The angels deposit poor Lazarus at Abraham’s side, literally right up next to his chest. This is significant, because Jesus is describing another banquet. Only, this is a banquet Lazarus has been invited too!
At this banquet, he’s not an onlooker in the background and he’s not a servant waiting tables; he’s an honored guest seated right next to Abraham himself.
When Jesus says, “the angels carried him to Abraham’s side” (v22) the scene portrays Abraham at the head of the table and Lazarus in the place of special honor.
Since Lazarus is right next to Abraham, what does it say about how the host of the banquet feels about him? He’s about as special as it gets!
THINK about scene: Jesus tells a story about a guy who, in this life, rarely, if ever, got treated well. He didn’t get any breaks, he didn’t have opportunities, and he didn’t get honors or recognition. Throughout his life, all Lazarus evert got was gutters, sores, and crumbs! Even dogs felt sorry for him! But in the next life? He is seated right next to Abraham!
That’s the picture of Lazarus’ afterlife; he’s at the great banquet beside Father Abraham. And in contrast to that, where does the rich man wind up? OUTSIDE looking on in torment!
The hard callused Rich Man—heartless and self-sufficient, unresponsive to God gets delivered to the place of his own making and choosing!
All of his life, he lived as if he didn’t need God. All of his life, he put God at arms-length. He was master of his own destiny the lord of his own life! So in the afterlife, God grants his wish! Just like he does with anyone who chooses to ignore and push away His invitation of grace.
In effect, he has said, “I don’t want you in my life. I want to be my own lord, my own god!” So in the afterlife, God grants his wish, just like he does with all those who choose to ignore and push away His invitations.
TEACH: Sometimes people say God sends people to hell—but that’s NOT accurate! Hell is merely the place where God withdraws Himself!
People who choose to exclude God from their lives can have what they wish for, for all eternity. An eternity where they do not have to see or experience God’s presence.
Sometimes people say God sends people to hell—but that’s NOT accurate! Hell is merely the place where God withdraws Himself! is not present exists so that people who choose to exclude God from their lives can have what they wish for, for all eternity. An eternity where they do not have to see or experience God’s presence.
God Himself is not always easy to “see” but HE is obvious in this life— God is discernable to anyone who objectively looks at the stars, or considers what it must have taken to design and engineer a flower, or view the intricate detail and variety in creation.
In heaven, God is everywhere-present and everywhere-discernible, and in hell, God is deliberately absent and far off, in order to respect the choice of those who have chosen against Him.
The rich man wanted life on his terms and that is what he gets—for eternity!
Notice, the rich man in the story has a problem.
Notice, the rich man in the story has a problem.
He never thought too much about HIS CHIOCE of pushing God away and what it would mean to spend eternity without God. The rich man is surprised when he finds himself in this terrible place. According to Jesus’ words, he is in torment and agony. This is where the point of the story begins to take shape.
Within seconds of entering this godless destination, the rich guy is in agony. And within minutes, he begins a dialogue with Abraham about fixing what’s gone wrong.
He sees Abraham, so he shouts:
“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.’
“Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire” ().
Question: why doesn’t he talk directly to Lazarus? Why doesn’t he just say, “Lazarus, old buddy, can you help me out?” Perhaps he thinks he still superior to Lazarus? Or perhaps he is hoping Abraham will be merciful?
And why does he address Abraham as “Father Abraham?”
I don’t know for sure. It could be it’s just a term of respect, but here’s what I think: I think this rich guy never imagined that his afterlife destination was hell.
Because he’s reminding Abraham, “Hey, I’m a good guy. I’m from your family. Your my father too, I shouldn’t be here! Fix this!”
How does Abraham reply?
I think he also thought, “And even if my social status and being a nice-guy don’t get me in, I’m a descendant of Abraham, so I’m going to get in based on my lineage, based on who I’m related to.” So he calls out, “FATHER, Abraham.” In other words, “It’s me, your descendant. Have mercy on me. I shouldn’t be down here. Maybe you can fix this.”
“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. 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.’
And how does Abraham reply? “I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t. There’s a huge, immovable pit between where I am and where you are. You made some decisions on earth, and those decisions are final now.”
The rich man made his choices, ignored Lazarus, ignored God—lived for himself; now he is on his own! He now has to own his choices. Look at his request (vs27-28):
This starts the formerly-rich man thinking. It’s at this point that the climax of the story takes place.
“I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t. But there’s a huge, immovable pit between where I am and where you are. You made some decisions on earth, and those decisions are final now.” (vs25-26 Paraphrase)
Look at verses 27-28:
Look at verses 27-28:
Look at verses 27-28:
“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
“Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment” ().
Question: about how long has this guy been in TORMENT when he says this? Probably about five minutes, right? Did you observe what he did about all this?
What’s the rich guy asking for in this request? He’s asking for the salvation of those he loves. He realized too late, God WILL ALLOW us the freedom to leave Him out of our lives—AND that freedom has eternal consequences.
He’s asking for the salvation of those he loves. It only took a few minutes in hell to turn this self-contained, self-sufficient, rich guy into an ardent evangelist.
You might think, that’s a reasonable request. The dialogue continues:
“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
“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.’ ”
Luke 16:
What does the story teach us?
LESSONS from this story:
1. According to Jesus, our location in eternity is NOT based on social standing or lineage. It’s based on grace.
Remember the shrewd manager from last week who bet everything on the reputation of the master? This rich guy bet everything on himself—his social status, his ethnic background, his wealth. And he lost!
he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
NOWHERE IN SCRIPTURE is there any promise that wealth, social status, or ancestry ensures heaven!
titus
The only way anyone gets there is by admitting they need Christ in their lives; and that at their core, they are morally flawed and in need of a Savior.
That was probably a lot easier for Lazarus to do than for the rich guy because all his life Lazarus had to depend on others. He knew what humility was. He wasn’t too proud to beg for forgiveness. And God not only granted it, but he gave him far more than just forgiveness. He gave him grace!
His cheerful willingness to grant forgiveness to anyone honest enough to admit that they are not God, but that they need God in their lives; that at their core, they are morally flawed and in need of a savior. That was probably a lot easier for Lazarus to do than for the rich guy because all his life Lazarus had to depend on others. He knew what humility was. He wasn’t too proud to beg for forgiveness. And God not only granted it, but he gave him far more than just forgiveness. He gave him grace. So instead of just getting into heaven, he gets a seat at the right hand of Abraham. Instead of getting what he deserves, he gets forgiven. And instead of just getting forgiven, he gets blessed by one of the best seats in the house!The second thing I couldn’t miss in the story was the permanency of the afterlife. Abraham says, “We can’t cross over. You can’t cross over. There’s a deep pit fixed between us and no one can get across.”
2. Jesus says our location in eternity is permanent! Once we’ve crossed over, it’s done, final, no returns. Only the living can ask for grace.
2. According to Jesus, our location in eternity is permanent. Once we’ve crossed over, it’s done, final, no returns. Only the living can ask for grace.
This is why prophet after prophet in the Old Testament would say things like:
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Why? Because he won’t always be near! If you choose to push him away, he will place himself far away from you in eternity.
Why? Because when this life passes, we get to live forever with the consequences of our choice.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (). Why? Because he won’t always be near. If you choose to push him away, he will place himself far away from you in eternity. Why? Because when this life passes, we get to live forever with the consequences of our choice. The third observation I made is one we’ve already talked about:
The third observation I made is one we’ve already talked about:
3. DESPITE WHAT LIBERAL THEOLOGIANS SAY—Hell is real!
The story reveals an inescapable truth. Hell is a real place and real people go there. It is a place of torment and agony. The Bible says elsewhere that it’s a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you know what gnashing of teeth is? It’s the cry of regret!
“Why didn’t I listen? Why was I so stubborn? Why did I hold God at arms-length all my life?”
Five minutes into his life in hell, this ardent anti-God guy starts pleading that someone go and share the truth with his brothers because he didn’t want anyone he loved to join him there. And what’s Abraham’s response to this?
He says, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them” (). In other words, they have the teachings from the Old Testament. Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament and the prophets wrote the rest.
And Abraham says, “They will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” ().
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Remember I said that there are four characters in this story? Here’s where the fourth one gets introduced. I think the fourth person in the story is Jesus.
Remember I said that there are four characters in this story? The fourth person is Jesus.
He’s only a few weeks away from going to the Cross, and he knows it. He knows he’s going to rise from the dead and offer salvation to every person who is humble, honest, and courageous enough to trust him and what he did for them on the Cross.
But he knows some will reject him. He is standing among a mixed group of devoted followers who love Him, and Pharisees who despise Him. He knows the public supports the Pharisees more than Him.
So Jesus reminds all of them of the Written Word presented by Moses and the Prophets; and now as the Living Word He provides an image that will become very real in a few short weeks when He Himself will rise from the dead.
Some say this is just a parable—but I think its a real story. It’s the only story where Jesus provides a specific name and personalizes the story to this degree.
He starts out at the home of a Pharisee. He heals a really sick guy, while hard-hearted people complain about Him. Then he tells them the story of the great banquet, the party in heaven. He tells them the story of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost sons. Then he turns to his disciples, who have been patiently listening from behind him, and he tells them the story of the shrewd manager who bet everything he had on the reputation of the master.
The story is a reminder of God’s given to any person who come to Him on His terms.
He finishes the session telling another story. This story focuses not on this life, but on the life to come. It reminds us that hell is real and terrible, and that grace is available to the least attractive of beggars, who will be welcomed into heaven if they’ll only accept God’s grace.
I said 4 weeks ago, I hoped you would find significance thru these messages. What have you figured out?
I think Jesus’ teaching is two-pronged in this last story. I think he’s telling the Pharisees, “Don’t be hard-hearted. Don’t think your own merits will get you in. Trust in me. I’m going to rise from the dead. Trust me for what I will do for you in substituting my life for yours on the cross. Trust me. Trust in grace.”
I think Jesus’ teaching is two-pronged in this last story. I think he’s telling the Pharisees, “Don’t be hard-hearted. Don’t think your own merits will get you in. Trust in me. I’m going to rise from the dead. Trust me for what I will do for you in substituting my life for yours on the cross. Trust me. Trust in grace.”
Is your significance found in the celebration of your faith? Are you doing what you a have a passion for? What Gos created you for?
I think he’s saying to the disciples, “You’ve got to know how important this all is. In a few days I’m going to give my life as a sin-sacrifice. I’m going to die and I’m going to rise from the dead. Why? Because hell is real and I want to prevent as many as possible from going there. But, even if I rise from the dead, some won’t believe. They’re going to need someone like you to teach them what God says about eternity and how to get there. They’re going to need someone like you to give them Moses and the Prophets.”
Are you fully commited using your gifts and talents to further God’s kingdom. Are you in daily fellowship with Him?
Have you come home to Him? Are you letting God love you or are you pushing Him away?
Do you have a heart for people? Are you investing you one and only life in eternal things?
Have you thrown yourself on the mercy of God to receive His grace. Are you prepared to die and face God?