Jesus has been teaching emphatically about the values of God which are so very different from the cultural values of the Pharisees and our own. He’s repeatedly taught that God doesn’t put the same weight on material possessions and is more concerned that possessions be used well than that they be returned to Him.

Tonight, Jesus tells a parable that strikes at the heart of their worldview, giving us some insight into eternity in the process.

Encounter Jesus – Luke Week 12

The Rich Man & Lazarus

Luke 16: 19-31

AUDIO

Lecture Handout

(no handout for this week)

Lesson Notes

The Parable (Read Luke 16: 19-31)

  • Verse 19 – By this introduction, we know this is a parable – it isn’t a real story, but Jesus tells us a story to make a very real point, and I also believe we learn some things about heaven and hell in the process.
  • Verse 19 – this man is extraordinarily wealthy – Jesus lays out all the cultural symbols of wealth – purple (like a king), fine linen, feasting every day
    • The ultimate picture of success to a first century Jew – they would assume he was favored by God, and the shock will be that, no, he isn’t
  • Verses 20-21 – The contrast
    • The lowest of the low – a beggar named Lazarus, covered in ulcerated sores, starving, yearning for crumbs from the rich man’s table
    • Lazarus is the only name character in a parable. His name is the Greek form of Eleazar, which means, “He whom God has helped” – and right away, we get the irony in this – by all appearances, God has never helped this man
    • Based on his later comments, the rich man knows who Lazarus is – he’s seen him lying , begging at his gate while he was feasting every day
    • The rich man by implication ignored Lazarus, didn’t ever help him
    • Even unclean, scavenging dog came and licked his sores to make him more miserable
    • Reminds you of Jo, the total portrait of misery
  • Verses 22-23 – They both die
    • Lazarus – no report of burial here, but taken by angels to heaven (Abraham’s side)
    • The rich  man went to Hades, which in this case, based on his comments about torment and fire, is hell.
    • There aren’t many specifics about the afterlife, but we see that we arrive immediately, and that hell is torment
    • While this is just a story, so we must be careful not to press the details too far, Jesus wouldn’t just tell a story with false details about something like this – hell will be very bad
    • We see the ultimate torment of hell – knowledge. The rich man can see heaven in the distance and know what he’s missing and why
  • Verse 24 – He begs Abraham for a drop of cool water from Lazarus, because of the flame. Gives you a sense of just how intense it is
  • Verse 25 – Abraham says no
    • You got your blessing in your earthly life, while Lazarus had only misery
    • Now Lazarus is comforted and you are in anguish
    • The Great Reversal theme!
    • There is no relationship between earthly comfort/reward and eternal comfort/reward
      • Jesus reveals the lie of the prosperity gospel of the Pharisees
      • Jesus reveals the lie of the prosperity gospel today!
      • For Christians there is no promise of physical comfort or reward in life, so don’t be surprised when things are hard (in fact, count it all joy!)
      • Our promise is present spiritual comfort now and eternity in God’s presence!
  • Verse 26 – A great chasm between heaven and hell
    • There is no moving from one side to the other
    • This life is all the time we have to make the most important decision for eternity
      • That’s true for each and every person on earth
      • Life is fleeting and we need to be motivated to share the gospel because once a person dies, there is no hope for them apart from faith in Jesus Christ
  • Verses 27-28 – The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his family that heaven and hell are real, and that heaven doesn’t come automatically just because you’re a rich Jew!
  • Verse 29 – Abraham’s response – they already have the Law and the Prophets, they should be able to figure it out
    • They have Scripture, which points them to the truth of their sin, their need for repentance, and their need for a Savior
    • All Scripture points them to Jesus (Luke 24: 27, 2 Timothy 3: 14-15)
  • Verses 30-31 – “They won’t believe that stuff, but if they saw a dead person rise, they’d turn”
    • Note “repent” – the issue isn’t money, wealthy, or good deeds – genuine repentance is characterized by the fruit of a transformed heart
    • Now, with extraordinary irony because Jesus knows what’s coming next to Him, Jesus says, “If they aren’t interested in Scripture, they won’t be convinced if somebody were to raise from the dead”
    • The issue isn’t a lack of information, it’s having a hard heart
    • Jesus knows He will rise from the dead and they will still reject Him – there is condemnation in these statements by Jesus
    • The Pharisees are so locked into their self-righteous, materialistic worldview that they care nothing for God’s Word or His Son
    • I’m sure we’ve all known people like that!
    • In real life, Jesus raised a man named Lazarus from the dead as a sign of His power and ability to save. Most Jews not only didn’t believe in Christ then either, the leadership sought to kill Lazarus again.

Tonight’s Prayer: Prayer for a softening of hearts and opening of minds to the gospel of Jesus Christ; for boldness to share the gospel, particularly in this time of year when people tend to think a bit more about spiritual matters…

Next week: Join us for a Night of Prayer & Worship

Next session: (Dec. 13)  – Luke 17: 20-37 – The Coming of the Kingdom