One of Jesus’ powerful stories was that of the rich man and beggar who both died.
Today’s reading is from that story. The rich man had been selfish and neglectful in his time, but in the next world things were different. In our text the previously privileged man is begging Abraham for mercy.
Luke 16:24-25
“Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”
But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.”
This Jesus teaching ought to comfort us for 2 reasons.
#1. It teaches that death is not the end.
We are made in the image of God, the eternal nature of God. When life is over here, we will go there. 200 years ago you did not exist, but there will never be another time when you do not exist. Your great, great, grandchildren that you will never meet on this earth, you can meet later.
#2. It teaches that everything works out in the end.
If it has not worked out yet, then it is not the end. The begger had lived on the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, but not anymore. Whatever injustice or wrong that happened to you , God will make it right. Be patient and trust him.
I love the story of the little boy who came home from school with a bruise on his face. He told his mother that Johnnie hit him. He added, “when I get back to school tomorrow, I am going to pay him back.”
The mom tried to teach him better and said that God will take care of things.
Little Johnnie thought about it and said, “Okay, I will give God until Friday and then I will handle it.”
We don’t need to get even, we just need to trust God. It will all work out in the end. We have God’s promise on that.
Lonnie Davis