Word Up // Luke 16:19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus
19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell,[a] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "


Footnotes:
Luke 16:23 Greek Hades

Stuff that stood out:

Basically, there is a trio of verses at the end of this passage that really "hit" me. I don't mean to diminish the rest of the passage, but much of it, to me, boils down to one of the roles of the Word of God: to show God to others...

*** 29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' ": So you have a guy here, who is like many of us, that has lived a life of plenty, of provision, etc., but is dismayed to discover that ultimately his soul was dark...and he is judged accordingly. He realizes the Truth he missed for so long, and starts bartering with Abraham to let his family and friends know what he now realizes, even in his current state apart from God. Abe says something like, "Well, they have God's Word, and if they've explored that, they should have everything they need for belief." The rich guy says, "Not enough...maybe if we throw some ghosts or magic at them they'll be convinced."

Problem is, Abraham says, "Nope...the Word is sufficient. If they've been truly exposed to it and its' message, they have all they need."

We struggle with that so often. Needing more tangible "proof" (although I'm sure seeing supernatural stuff, etc., would instead be seen as just hallucinations, etc., and thus little heart change occurs). I often think back to the time of Christ and wonder, "How on earth could all those people see the miraculous wonders Jesus performed but still not truly believe!?" Sadly, though, I think the same thing happens today. Sure, there may not be all the overt miracles, but the attitude of, "Show me something real, and then I'll ponder believing", is rampant. And I do sympathize, as I realize that only God himself could have opened my heart to his Truth, so it's "easier" I suppose for me to believe scripture, etc. But I also know of the power of God's Word ALONE to be used by the Holy Spirit to completely change some one's heart. I have several friends that were converted simply from reading scripture and being convicted of the Truth within. And as one who knows he has been saved by grace, I need to take the contents and message of scripture most seriously, even when I get confused, or even say stuff like, "That's expecting too much, God!", "How on earth could that be real", etc.

Therefore, none of us is "off the hook" once we've been confronted with the Truth of God's Word...

Questions for me today:

In what ways do I still seem to need "tangible proof" in my faith?

Do I view scripture as God's ultimate authority and current revelation to us? Is it enough for me, even if I never saw God's hand in my life again?

What do I tell others that aren't following Christ, but say, "I might if I had better proof"?