News of an expecting birth is worthy of a celebration in the form of baby shower. After labor ushers into this world a new human being, joy consumes families of this infant. In the years that follow, there are a series of memorable moments, first steps, first words and first day of school. As new parents work together to raise children, celebrating is often replaced by suffering. From childhood to adolescence, life only gets more complicated, especially for first time parents. At some point, celebration fades away as suffering intensifies. I don’t mean to be Ebenezer Scrooge, but this is a reality of life.
Now it happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom (paradise), Luke 16:22-23.
After sharing the parable of the unjust manager, Jesus transitions into another parable. Entitled the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus highlights a reason to celebrate and another to fear. Using a story about a rich and poor man, Jesus uses a hypothetical scenario to detail what heaven and hell is like. When Lazarus dies, God rewards this poor man with what Jesus calls paradise. Meanwhile, a self-centered rich man who cared only about himself was sent to hell. According to Jesus, hell is a place of eternal suffering, able to see those celebrating above, but unable to do anything to help their agony and pain. This fact should convict and inspire the living to avoid a similar eternal destiny.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in severe agony in this flame,’ Luke 16:24.
In the previous chapter, Luke, a well known first century doctor recalls three parables that illustrate God’s grace, love and mercy. Whether a possession is lost like a coin or pet, heaven celebrates each time a sinner repents. Angels are programmed to embrace hearts that confess the error of their way. Meanwhile, even if you are a prodigal son or daughter who has left your family, God will never abandon you. These stories have been written to urge souls to surrender your life to follow Jesus. Although this road is narrow as detailed by Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, any worldly suffering that you might endure is worth this decision. Therefore, do not ignore the passage listed above so that your eternal destination will be celebrated at your funeral rather than suffer, not knowing whether you are in heaven or hell.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 