I really enjoyed reading through chapter 16. Hope you all are enjoying as well!
I want to share my thoughts on the story about the rich man and Lazarus. These are verses 19-31. But the focus will be on verses 19-26. So let’s dive in!
The first thing that I thought was interesting about this story was that when the beggar died he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. I love the idea of this because it gives us an insight into when our loved ones who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ and have a relationship with him and they pass that they are carried and surrounded by angels! Something cool to think about.
And also on the opposite side of things it also says, “the rich man also died and was buried” He had no angels and it was just he died and was buried. I do hope that if there is anyone reading this that does not know the Lord Jesus Christ and does not have a relationship with Him that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Lord and you will be saved!! (Acts 16:31)
It also mentions in verse 23 “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
The fact that it says that he was being in torments….plural…..that means he was tormented but it was more than one kind of torment. This is such a hard thing to comprehend because we don’t want anyone to have to be tormented. We don’t want anyone to go to hell and experience that! This is a passage I have read before, but never realized the term was plural before.
Another interesting aspect of this story is that the rich man first sees Abraham and then Lazarus within his bosom. The fact that the people who were in Hades could see the people in Abraham’s bosom is in and of itself a kind of torment I think. And that they could talk to each other!! I find it surprising what happens next-The rich man cries out to Abraham and asks him to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue because he is tormented in the flame. The rich man still sees Lazarus as what he was on earth-a beggar…..a servant.
Abraham then responds to the rich man, “…Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us”. Abraham knows the events of what occurred on the earth between these 2 men! This was a new realization for me as I read. I mean, I know I have read it before, but this is the first time I really understood that things that happen here on earth are remembered when we pass away from this earth and go into eternity! Our responses and reactions to people will matter! Let’s remember to speak truth in kindness and love towards everyone we can!
Looking forward to continuing through Luke with you all!! See you in the next chapter 🙂