Why study this parable;
The general design of the parable, is to expose the wickedness and unbelief of the Jews, and to illustrate to them the danger for their contempt and rejection of the Messiah, and to warn them to change their ways or suffer the judgment of almighty God; It is particularly the Pharisees who are needful of this parable, who being covetous, had derided Christ for what he had been teaching and promoting. they rejected and despised what he said about their injustice, in their stewardship; the calling of them to account for it; and concerning the true use of worldly riches, and the contempt of them; They, the Pharisees, though high in the esteem of men, were an abomination to God, Luk_16:14.
They were lovers of money and those things that wealth could provide.
They were being self righteous and indignant at this man Jesus calling himself the Son of God and of man, and announcing that he was the only way to salvation. They hated Jesus because of his disrespecting their faith, their lifestyle and for calling them hypocrites. They were looking for ways to destroy him.
And here this parable then strikes at the heart of their conceit. They cared nothing for the poor and were constantly searching for ways to enhance their own wealthy position in society, at the peril of anyone who got in their way while appearing to be faithful and righteous. It behooves us to know the poor and the needy among us And to help them while we prosper. There will come a judgment, and it will be too late then to change our fate. We learn from this parable How God views our relationships. What our fate will be and why. This rich man had every opportunity, every day, to repent and change his ways, but his lifestyle had made him clueless. We are to be mindful of the less fortunate among us, and we are every day, given the opportunity to make that a part of our lifestyle. It is for our salvation that Jesus came and our faith is that which will give us our answer. For the Jews, teachres of the law, Sadducees and Pharisees Jesus was a thorn in their side, and even though he had resurrected the dead and would continue to do so, they still would not listen to him nor heed his warnings. There is no going back and there is no other answer to our salvation but Jesus Christ
It is a known impossibility of compelling men to listen to a divine message to which they do not wish to have spoken to them. Recognition of the divinity of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit do not strike a true chord in the hearts of some, no matter how many there are to hear it, nor how many times it is spoken to them.
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The Rich Man and Lazarus
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon 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, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil 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.' 27 And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.
19 There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
Ezekiel 16:49 "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
Q.1 In describing this man, Aside from being rich, what else is mentioned?
Q.2 What is it about his lifestyle that is so attractive ?
Q.3What impression is given by how we dress and what we eat?
20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
1Samuel 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.
Q.1 What is the discerning feature of the description of Lazarus?
Q.2 What further emphasis is given how he must have suffered?
Pg.2
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried;
Psalms 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all
your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Q.1 Why do you think Jesus made a distinction in their deaths?
Q.2 Both men died, what is the obvious difference?
Q.3 What did “Abraham’s Bosom” mean to people of that day?
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon 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.'
Q.1 What mental picture do you get from vs. 23?
Q.2 And what is your thought about vs. 24, Is there a possibility of relief?
Psalms 9:17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.
James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
25 But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
Q.1 What good things did this rich man receive?
Q.2 What is the inevitable consequence that this rich man now faces?
Q.3 What is meant by the poor beggar now being comforted?
Jas 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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.'
Q.1 What is the great chasm and why is it “fixed” between them?
Q.2 What is meant by the phrase “none may cross from there to us?
Q.3 Can we describe the immutable decree of God, which has unalterably fixed the state of the damned, and of the blessed:
Rev 22:11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy."
Pg.3
27 And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
Q.1 What significance is implied by the mention of his five brothers?
Q.2 Warn them how, by words, by reason, by example ?
Q.3 Why is this not possible?
Psa 49:12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
Psa 49:13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
29 But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
Q.1 “They have Moses and the prophets” What meaning?
Q.2 “let them hear them” what is implied here?
Q.3 What desperate suggestion does the man propose?
2Ti 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
31 He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.
Q.1 Should we as a nation, reconsider our laws regarding God?
Q.2 There are those who don’t believe to this day, how does this parable apply to our world today?
Q.3 Do you see Jesus anywhere in this parable?
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Closing Prayer
"Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of heaven and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others the eternity in Gods Heaven that is promised to all who will call on Your name. Help us to follow you bearing our yoke in this world, as an example to others. And May we cause you great joy as we share with others, your love as we have seen it in Jesus, in whose name we do pray. AMEN
Pg.4
Meditation: What sustains you when trials and affliction come your way and how do you treat others in their affliction? In this story Jesus paints a dramatic scene of contrasts – riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. We also see an abrupt and dramatic reversal of fortune. Lazarus was not only poor, but sick and unable to lift himself. He was laid at the gates of the rich man’s house. The dogs which licked his sores probably also stole the little bread he got for himself. Dogs in the ancient world symbolized contempt. Enduring the torment of these savage dogs only added to the poor man’s miseries and sufferings. The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life! In God's economy, those who hold on possessively to what they have, lose it all in the end, while those who share generously receive back many times more than they gave way. The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar! Do you know the joy and freedom of possessing God as your true and lasting treasure? Those who put their hope and security in heaven will not be disappointed (see Hebrews 6:19)?
Questions?
1. What perception do you draw from the description of the rich man?
Does he “Have it made”? Does it seem to you that some people are that way?
2. Conversely there is Lazarus, describe his misery, what was it like?
Are there places where you might find people like Lazarus?
3. Lazarus died and was in Abraham’s bosom, what does that Imply?
Do you feel it means he is in Heaven? Is there more than one Heaven- see 2nd Cor. 12:2
4. The rich man died and descended to Hades, what does that imply?
Isn’t it obvious that he was sent to hell ?
5. If you have a choice of final destinations, which would you choose?
Is it possible some would choose other than Heaven?
6. The rich man was in agony, why was that?
It should be obvious, do you believe it? Do you know anyone that doesn’t
7. The rich man, in hell saw Lazarus, and asked Abraham for a favor, send Lazarus to me. For what? Do you suppose he thought he could get relief?
8. Abraham’s response was what?
Is what Abraham said an indication that it is not possible?
9. The rich man made a second request, about his 5 brothers, what meaning is conveyed?
And what was the answer given him?
10. The last statement is very descriptive can you explain?
Was there salvation from sin in the time of Moses?
11. So there you have it, what is the end result?
It is as if there is no way out , do you agree?
12. There is the reference of one being raised from the dead what’s that about?
Luke 16:31, Is that a reference to the return of Jesus? Jesus has already come to earth two times, the first was by natural birth and Immaculate Conception. The second was his having been raised from the dead, all documented. There will be one more , but some do not believe yet, that he is the Son of God, our salvation. Jesus is explaining here that there is a way, but there are those who choose to ignore it. And they do so at their peril
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