‘The Rich Man Also Died’

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:22-23

Death is no respecter of persons. The text before us is a reminder of this. Christ told the story of Lazarus, a beggar who sat outside the gates of a rich man in his community. Our text lies at the pivotal point of the story where Lazarus dies, and shortly thereafter, the rich man also dies. Lazarus enters into heaven or as Christ puts it, Abraham’s bosom. The rich man goes to hell and begins to endure eternal torment. Lazarus had faith and the wealthy man did not. Their status in life was irrelevant. Death overtook both of them. After the fact the rich man saw the need for repentance and faith. He sought to have Lazarus sent as an evangelist to his five brothers. Abraham replied that they already had the Scriptures. If the word of God did not convince them, a resurrected evangelist would not either. What is abundantly clear is that wealthy or poor, high or low, we will all eventually pass through the doors of death. We have today to prepare for that day. Repentance toward God and faith in Christ are of paramount importance.

Our Holy and Wise God,
we rejoice at the opportunities You give us to know You.
We praise You that as we know Christ,
we become more wise to Your ways.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning