Lesson 4413

(Lesson 4413)(03-02-24) Luke 16:19-31 

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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. 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. 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. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” 

 

Today’s quote recounts the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Therein, a rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus, a poor man covered in sores, lay at his gate, begging for scraps from the rich man's table. Both men died; Lazarus was carried by angels to rest in the bosom of Abraham (a figure of luxury that is heaven), while the rich man was tormented in Hell. Seeing Lazarus afar off in the comfort of heaven, the rich man begged for mercy, asking that Lazarus might *dip the tip of his finger in water to cool his tongue. Abraham explained the uncrossable chasm that was placed between them and recalled the rich man's lifetime of comfort as opposed to Lazarus' suffering and starvation at his gate. The rich man then asked that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers to repent, so they avoid his fate. Abraham responded that they have Moses and the prophets to listen to; if they do not heed them, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. This parable highlights the themes of judgment, the consequences of ignoring the needs of the poor, and the sufficiency of God’s divine word for salvation.~ 

NOTE: There is another element of today’s quote that will be discussed for tomorrow’s lesson.