The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores, And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And 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”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-five of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said the rich man, “cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me” where we read:
But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things,
and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.
The verse reads, “But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, ...” Luke began with the words, “but Abraham said” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Abraham whose name means father of a multitude and was the founder of the Jewish nation uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Son” which means “male child and offspring”, “remember that you” or “recall to mind and be mindful that you, rich man” “in your lifetime” which means “within the state in which the rich man possessed vitality and was animal as a living soul” “received your good things” or “took aside and recovered the rich man's useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy possessions”. Luke shared how Jesus told how “Father Abraham” reminded the “rich man” how he “received” “pleasant and happy” things during his time of “living”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” Luke continued the words, “and likewise” or “and in the same manner and way” “Lazarus” which means “Lazarus whose name means whom God helps and was a beggar” “evil things” or “bad, wicked, troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive and baneful possessions”: “but now” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at this time” “he is comforted” or “Lazarus is summoned to receive appeasement, strength, consolation and encouragement”, “and you are tormented” which means “and you, rich man, exist in intense pain, anguish and distress”. Luke shared how Jesus told how “Abraham” continued to answer the rich man by sharing the “misery” “Lazarus” suffered while he was alive but was now “appeased, strengthened and encouraged”. The “rich man”, however, was suffering “pain and anguish”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover the final results of both the “rich man” and “Lazarus'” lives. The “rich man” prospered while he was alive on earth, but eternally he was “suffering in anguish”. “Lazarus”, the beggar, suffered while living on the earth, but eternally he was “blessed, appeased and encouraged”. An “eternal” world exists, and Jesus knew people who received Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” would enjoy life everlasting with God His Father in that world. Those who “live it up with abundance” on earth and reject and refuse to receive Jesus will suffer in “pain and anguish” for all eternity and not be allowed entrance into Heaven. Those who are wise will submit their lives to Jesus Christ as He is the only One who is able to provide for them “everlasting life”.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus declared how Abraham said, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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