Who is Jesus? Chapter 42 “The Rich Man and Lazarus”

 

Who is Jesus? Chapter 42 “The Rich Man and Lazarus” from Luke chapter 16

Jesus had been teaching and The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard his message, but they ridiculed him.  And Jesus said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For when you exalt yourself in the eyes of men, know that it is an abomination in the sight of God. Jesus explained that He had been preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, and many tried to force their way into it by trying to be good enough. But Jesus said, to believe on Him as the Messiah was the only way to enter into God's kingdom. The goodness and works would follow salvation and not become the entry point.

Jesus began to tell about a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.  And at his gate laid a poor beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. No one came to bandage his wounds, but the dogs came and licked his sores.  Soon after the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.  The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hell, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on 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.’But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in torment.  And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm that has been fixed, so for those who would like to pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from where you are, to us.’  And the rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, please to send Lazarus to my father’s house — for I have five brothers— so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this terrible place of torment.’  But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And the man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Friend do you understand what Jesus was saying as he told this story? There is a place where the believer who dies, may enter God's kingdom and be comforted, and for those who do not receive Jesus, there is another place that no one in their right mind would ever desire to end up there. Jesus was also referring to his death and resurrection, and that people have a choice to believe that Jesus is alive and to receive His eternal life by inviting Him into their heart and life. Those who do so – will receive His Eternal Life in their spirit and when it is their time on earth to leave, they will go to be with Jesus in Heaven.

Heaven is a real place where believers will enjoy everlasting life, and hell is also a real place to shun where eternal damnation is for those who enter there by refusing to accept Jesus.

Although Jesus warned us with examples, he also said, I will come again and receive those who are looking for my return, and you shall ever more be with me in heaven.

If you have not already done so, today is a good day to make your decision to follow Jesus. Do not delay, because you do not know if you have time to waste. You can say this now. Jesus I believe you died on the cross for me and took my sins, I believe you rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life and I will follow you all the days of my life.

Jesus will hear your prayer and He will help you to live for him.

Do make a pledge to read at least a chapter from your Bible every day and find a good church that preaches the true Gospel and begin to attend regularly.