19 “There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 But at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus whose body was covered with sores, 21 who longed to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. In addition, the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “Now the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades, as he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side. 24 So 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 because I am in anguish in this fire.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 So the rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father—send Lazarus to my father’s house 28 (for I have five brothers) to warn them so that they don’t come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they must respond to them.’ 30 Then the rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 He replied to him, ‘If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Val Dewan

During a weekend away, after a few months of not doing much physical activity, I went hiking. The hike was not very difficult, but climbing back up to the start was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do physically. I was sweating and cramping up, but most of all my mouth was extremely dry. I was so thirsty. There is no describing the relief I felt at savouring the first gulp of cold water!

This parable Jesus told about a rich man and a beggar reminded me that even though we think of death as the great equaliser, after death in the age to come there will be a great divide between those who inherit eternal life in heaven and those who suffer God’s eternal punishment. There is nothing comforting about the picture of being forever thirsty. Separation from the eternal warmth and joy of our Lord is the reality for those who do not have faith in Jesus.

I am struck by how many people I know and love have heard the gospel, but did not repent and turn to Jesus. In Jesus’ story, the wealthy man wishes to go back and warn his family. However, the character of Abraham in this parable tells him that the way to eternal life is already declared, in the words of the prophets and apostles in the Bible. He also hints at God’s most amazing and climactic act of salvation, in verse 31: ‘If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ In Jesus, God himself came down as the Saviour of all humanity, lived a perfect human life, died for all sinners, and rose from the dead.

But this parable is a sober reminder that not even Jesus’ resurrection will be enough for some people to believe and trust in Him. This is such a sad reality. I can only fall to my knees and give thanks to God for the grace He has shown me, and then continue to look for opportunities to tell my friends and family of the gospel. Even if they don’t listen to me then and there, I will continue to pray with hope, because the ‘chasm’ between God and sinners has been bridged through the Cross of Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Val is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.