June 25, 2025
The Rich Man and Lazarus - Part 3
Luke 16:24-26
06/25/2025
24 And he called out, ``Father Abraham, have mercy on
me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger
in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish
in this flame.''
25 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.
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great
chasm has been fixed, in order that those who
would pass from here to you may not be able, and
none may cross from there to us.'' (ESV)
This week we are studying the story of the Rich Man and
Lazarus. Earlier we saw that the rich man was selfish, caring
only for his own comfort. He was arrogant, even after dying,
being judged, and being cast into Hades where he had no comfort.
Lazarus, on the other hand, is seated beside Abraham at the
unending heavenly banquet. The rich man complains, Lazarus is
silent.
And [the rich man] called out, ``Father Abraham, have
mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end 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. And besides
all this, between us and you a great chasm has been
fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to
you may not be able, and none may cross from there to
us.''
Even in death, the rich man demands that Lazarus do for him
what he was unwilling to do. But there is no help for the rich
man, neither in heaven or hell, for the rich man is separated
from the love of God. Although Abraham still calls him
``Child,'' and acknowledges the rich man as his son, even Abraham
can give no comfort.
Can there be a greater punishment than to long for the
blessings of God, to see the joys of heaven, and know that we, by
our own selfish desires, chose to reject our heavenly Father's
invitation?
May our Lord grant us wisdom to learn from the words of
Jesus, that we trust in our heavenly Father for all things, and
reflect His love to those in need. Amen.