Luke 16:19 says, There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: Jesus said was a rich man who was finely clothed and who ate fine food and had more than enough of it. There are people, even Christians today who have more than they really need, and yet they use it all for themselves, Verse twenty adds, And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, Jesus then contrasted the rich man with Lazarus, a beggar full of sores laying at the gate. There are plenty of people today who are in need, but too often they are either ignored or looked down on. Verse twenty-one continues, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Lazarus ate from the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table while dogs licked his sores. The dogs may have had more compassion on Lazarus than the rich man did, because at least they acknowledged him and may have brought him some relief. Today, people in need are too often ignored. Verse twenty-two states, And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; One may have been rich and the other a beggar, but both faced the same ultimate end. They died, and Lazarus was carried by the angels to heaven while the rich man was buried. One thing we can be certain of is that we will all die if Jesus Christ does not return first. Verse twenty-three adds, And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Though the last verse said the rich man was buried, his soul, like all souls, lived on, but he was in hell. These are our two choices. The rich man looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus in heaven. He may not have acknowledged Lazarus before, but he did now. Their status had reversed. One day, everyone will be judged by their relationship to Jesus Christ and not by their earthly riches. Verse twenty-four continues, And 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. The rich man now called Abraham father, and asked that Lazarus be permitted to just dip his finger in water and touch it to his tongue. This is the torment that awaits those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Of course, I don't believe that Abraham was the one who had the power to grant the rich man’s wish, even had he wanted to. We must make our prayers to God alone. Verse twenty-five declares, But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Abraham called on the rich man to remember how different Lazarus and he had been in this lifetime. Those who reject Jesus Christ will have a lifetime to remember how they had allowed the riches of this world to be more important than a relationship with Him. Verse twenty-six adds, And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Abraham said there was no way to pass from heaven to hell or from hell to heaven. Once we die, our everlasting fate is sealed. Verse twenty-seven says, Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: The rich man then asked that Lazarus be allowed to go to his father's house and witness there. If a person realizes in hell the need to accept Jesus Christ to avoid being there, they cannot help others avoid that fate. Verse twenty-eight adds, For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. The rich man had five brothers who evidently lived as he had, concerned only with themselves and the riches of this world. Those in hell may suddenly have concern for their families being able to avoid ending up there themselves, but it will be too late to do anything about it. Verse twenty-nine states, Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Abraham told the rich man that his brothers would have to listen to Moses and the prophets, who proclaimed God's law and the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Himself. Verse thirty adds, And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. The rich man said that if someone who had been dead went to his brothers, they would listen. Verse thirty-one continues, And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Abraham said if they would not hear Moses and the prophets that they would not hear One Who had risen from the dead, which Jesus would do. We can only come to God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ, but we should also live by what God's word teaches us. There is really only one question that matters in life, and that is whether we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
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