There is much I don’t understand or have certainty about. On a small scale, I don’t know what I’ll make for dinner tonight. On the larger scale, I don’t know what’s at the end of the universe. (For that matter, at this very moment, I don’t know whether or not Pluto is categorized as a planet; I’ll Google it later!) But God is infinitely wise and understanding, unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28) and He’s given us Scripture containing truths of history, prophetic words, and opportunity to understand His character. So with that in mind, I humbly read Luke 16:19-31 and ask, “What would you have me learn from this God? What does parable mean?”
At a glance, I notice a theme of contrast between the two characters. The rich man lived a life of comfort and self-centeredness, lacking compassion for the poor man, Lazarus, at his gate. Lazarus lived at the gate of the rich man, where he could get scraps of food to sustain him. The rich man was clothed in purple, signifying wealth and honor. While Lazarus was clothed in sores, signifying his poverty and misery. After death, the rich man found himself in torment while Lazarus found himself comforted. The name of the rich man is never stated and yet the poor man’s name is recorded as Lazarus.
There is a profound difference—a chasm if you will—between these two men but nothing more impactful than the states of their souls. Scripture tells us that a “chasm has been fixed” (verse 26) when referring to their eternal states, meaning choices were made and consequences are irreversible. It’s not that God made decisions for these men—quite the contrary. God makes Himself knowable through invisible qualities, powerful and divine, that beg a choice to be made and leave people without excuse (Romans 1:20). God’s desire has always been to spend eternity with all of mankind and He chases after each of us with an invitation, but it’s up to us whether we bend our will and accept it.
I’m reminded of the C.S. Lewis quote,
“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock, it is open.”
How about you? Have you accepted God’s invitation of Jesus? The Son of God invites you to experience his love and eternal hospitality and “dwell in the house of the Lord all your days, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4). If so, AMAZING! Who else needs to hear of his beauty and experience His lavish goodness? Pray for them now and ask God how you might be part of their journey of faith. I am certain you won’t regret it!
Jessica Klootwyk
Discipleship Director