JESUS SPEAKING
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. 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 Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘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.” (Luke 16: 19 – 25)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Using a parable, Jesus confirms the inevitable journey of every human soul after death. There are only two potential destinations; Heaven or hell. Heaven (also known as Abraham’s Bosom prior to Christ’s resurrection.) is a place of eternal comfort, while hell is a place of everlasting torment. The central premise of this story is the rich man’s immense error. He enjoyed a carnal existence; indulging in the passing pleasures of this world without contemplating his eternal resting place. Following his selfish heart, He ignored the suffering of Lazarus at his gate, and thus incurred a life of suffering without end.
According to the bible, there once lived two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Esau was the eldest, and thus would eventually inherit most of his dad’s wealth. And yet one day Esau came in from the field and was exhausted and hungry. His younger brother Jacob was cooking some stew. Esau begged him for a meal. Jacob offered him a dish, but only in exchange for Esau’s birthright. Esau was so focused on feeding his flesh in a passing moment that he was blinded from comprehending the value of his future estate. His present hunger was all that mattered to him. And so he relinquished his right to an entire fortune in exchange for a bowl of soup.
Like that bowl of soup, this life is no more than a passing moment; especially when compared to our eternal inheritance with God in heaven. If we lose sight of that splendid destination we will begin to live according to the flesh. But if we remain committed to our Lord and Savior, then we will sacrifice our desires in the present to secure our future glory. We will therefore exhibit the virtues of selflessness, generosity, purity, kindness, mercy, and humility. Only the good things we accomplish for Christ will last forever.
“Lord Heavenly Father, may we refrain from chasing after the passing pleasures of this life. Give us the strength to embrace selflessness, and thus accomplish good works in accordance with Your will. We are but humble servants; and so as we serve, may our hearts be glad and our minds be pure. We love you Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!
