The rich man and Lazarus

There was a certain rich man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day.

And at his gate there was [carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, [reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores.

He [eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores.

And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip 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 fully received [what is due you in] comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the discomforts and distresses; 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 want to pass from this [place] to you may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us.

And [the man] said, Then, father, I beseech you to send him to my father's house--

For I have five brothers--so that he may give [solemn] testimony and warn them, lest they too come into this place of torment.

But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear and listen to them

But he answered, No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent (^[q]change their minds for the better and heartily amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins).

He said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead.

This is an interesting parable by Jesus. Well, reading the 1st half of the story, many will think "ah, how wonderful it is if I am like the rich man". Well, read on. Although the rich man was practically oozes with riches, he didn't have something that the poor man has. The rich man didn't have a name. Jesus rarely give name to the character in His parable. Guess what, He gave the poor man the name Lazarus! Amazing how people just glazed through the parable and didn't notice the special position Lazarus has compare to the rich man! I don't know about you. I certainly did! Twice, I read the same parable, twice I completely missed out that Lazarus has a name and the rich man was simply called the rich man.

Well, think about the name. You only give a name if you are known to somebody. To be acknowledge by a name showed that the person has a certain value or importance. The fact that Jesus gave a specific name to the character (which is very unusual) showed that Lazarus has a very special place is His heart. In short, He knows Lazarus and vice versa. Lazarus, despite being poor and tormented while he was alive, known by the Mighty God Himself!! Lazarus, who was poor, a beggar and hopelessly sick, was of certain value and importance to Jesus! The rich man maybe rich and well-known to the people of his time. He maybe on the main page of the newspaper of his society. But, he is not known to God.

Furthermore, the name Lazarus has a significant meaning. Lazarus in hebrew is Eliazar, which means he whom God helps. This is the man whom God cared for and helped. This man despite his circumstances, has a relationship with God, known by God, and has his sins forgiven by God. Lazarus did not wallow in self pity and blamed God for his circumstances. If he has, the Holy Spirit would have recorded it down!!He recorded down David's sexual sin, and Jacob's craftiness, and Saul's persecution on Christians and many other "unholy acts" of bible character. Why wouldn't Holy Spirit record it down IF Lazarus did ever blame God for his circumstances.

If you are given a choice, would you want to be Lazarus, poor but known by mighty God and has a special place in His heart or the rich man - rich beyond measure but unknown to God?
What is your status now? Known by God personally and cared by Him? or unknown to Him and on the way to eternal hell?

The choice is there to make. We are all sinners. It is hereditary disease passed down from Adam. No good works can ever compensate all the sins we have committed. Only Jesus can forgive our sins and bring us from death to life. He is the only option if you don't want to bear the consequences of your sins.

God is not cruel to create hell and throw people into eternal condemnation. Hell was created for Lucifer and his fallen angels. Never it was created for men!! People go to hell because of sins! (Ask Adam and Eve what happen) God is merciful to provide a way out that is by believing in Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. The choice is yours. Make it now!!

I pray that you will come to know the love of God for you and come to Him for forgiveness of sins. When you do, He is faithful and just not to judge or condemn you because His beloved Son Jesus Christ, has taken all your sins and took your place to be punished. The fact that Jesus was raised on the third day from the grave is like an invoice to the "payment" made on the cross, stating, everything has been paid for!! May grace and peace of God be with you always. Amen

~KatZ~

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