Luke 16:22-23
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
Jesus was and is a wonderful Lord and Savior, but He was a marvelous story teller as well. His stories had a spiritual meaning and were known as parables. When asked why He taught in parables, Jesus explained that it was for the believers to understand, but that unbelievers would simply perceive it to be just a story.
Many of us will recall the parable of the rich man and a beggar covered with sores that relied on the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table to sustain himself. We read that the rich man seemed to have everything and the beggar had nothing. There was another huge difference between the two of them: The beggar was a believer but the rich man was not.
They both died, as all mankind is destined to do. I am awestruck as I read what happens at the moment of their deaths. The beggar who was a believer was carried by angels into Paradise. Stop and think of what a sensation of ecstasy that would be. No more begging, suffering or pain. An eternity of bliss awaited him.
The rich man also died AND WAS BURIED. How empty and final that sounds. What a contrast with the beggar who ate the scraps from his table. He must have been aware of the man during his life since, when he is in torment, he asks for Lazarus to come and touch his tongue with a drop of water to ease the agony that would last for eternity. We must have our name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life to insure the angels will transport us to be with the Lord. Be prepared!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil