The other is simply called a “rich man.” The rich man will be the main figure of the two. These verses give us some background on the two key players. Verses 19-21 – “Life” Verse 22 – “Death.” Verses 23-31 – “Life After Death.” Main Point – Who goes to heaven and who goes to hell? Life (verses 19–21) Three simple subpoints that follow the outline of our text if you are taking notes. And while I lean to the understanding that it is a parable, I do agree that in many ways it is unlike all the other parables Jesus taught. After my study this week, I tend to agree with that assessment. Most stand on the side that it is a fictitious parable with biblical truths. Is this a true story or another parable invented by Jesus? Much debate has occurred over the years. One more point of clarification before we begin. Number one is this: If we are saved by faith in Christ and in His work alone, what is the responsibility upon us to do “good works?” In other words, if salvation is grace alone, how does my responsibility to follow God’s commandments come into play?Īnd number two is this: Where do people go when they die? Is there an eternal destination? Are there many eternal destinations? And if so, how are these eternal destinations described in the Bible? However, this story in Luke 16 does answer two other important questions that are essential for all humans to understand. This story we are about to cover in Luke 16 infers this truth but does not mention it directly. Due to His work on the cross, we can be forgiven and promised hope both now and after death. When we come to Christ by faith, all of our sins are removed, and we enter into a relationship with the living God. We are the rich man’s brethren, and we are hereby warned: “Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.Without a doubt, the most important truth is to know is that there is salvation available in Jesus Christ. He thinks that perhaps if Lazarus would rise from the dead and warn them, they would repent.
The rich man, though he cannot or will not change, would like to warn his brothers. But there comes a point when the clay is taken off the wheel and placed in the fiery kiln (fire refers to judgment day see 1 Corinthian 3:15), at which time its shape is forever fixed and cannot be changed. As long as clay is on the wheel and moist, it can be molded, changed and fashioned. The Fathers of the Church often thought of the human person as clay on a potter’s wheel. When exactly this occurs is not clear perhaps it is at death itself. It would seem that there is a mystery of the human person that we must come to accept: that we come to a point in our life when our character is forever fixed, when we no longer change. This helps to explain why hell is eternal. Notice, too, that the rich man does not ask to be admitted to heaven: He regrets his current torment but does not see or desire heaven as a solution to that. Looking up into heaven, he sees Lazarus next to Abraham, but rather than finally recognizing Lazarus’ dignity and seeking his forgiveness, he tells Abraham to send Lazarus to hell with a pail of water to refresh him. You might expect the rich man to be repentant in the end and to have a change a heart, but he does not. He lands in hell because he doesn’t want heaven, where the poor are exalted (Luke 1:52).Ībraham explains the great reversal to him: “My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime, while Lazarus likewise received what was bad but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.” Hence, this rich man has willfully and repeatedly rejected the Kingdom and is ruined by his greed and insensitivity. He is living in open rejection of one of the most significant Kingdom values: love of the poor.
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