A Great Gulf Fixed - Luke 16:26

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. 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”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-five of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said how Abraham said, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” where we read:

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.

The verse reads, “And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed:” Luke began with the words, “and beside all this” or “and before, over and against the idea of the beggar being comforted and the rich man in torment”, “between us and you” which means “in the meantime and after Abraham and Lazarus and the rich man” “there is a great gulf fixed” or “”there exists a large, massive, splendid and grand scale gap or chasm which is strengthened, constant, confirmed and made firm”. Luke shared how Jesus said “Abraham” told the “rich man” in addition to the consequences received by the “rich man” and “Lazarus”, there existed a “huge chasm” which was firmly set in place.

The verse continues, “... so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.” Luke added the words, “so that they” or “how the people” “which would pass from here to you” which means “who desired and wanted to cross over or pass through from where Abraham and Lazarus were located to where the rich man was” “cannot” or “are unable to do so”; “neither can they pass to us” which means “no, and nor in any way are the people who were where the rich man was able to cross over to where Abraham and Lazarus were”, “that would come from there” or “who are able to arise and appear from where the rich man was”. Luke shared how Jesus said Abraham told the “rich man” there was no way for anyone who was located where he was to “cross over” to the other place.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how there was a “chasm” between where “Abraham” was located and where the “rich man” was spending his time. God designed eternity so neither side is able to “cross over” to the other. God wants all people to be with Him in Heaven, and for this to happen, they must believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”. Those who are in “hell” will not go to “heaven”, and those who are in “heaven” will not go to “hell”. The time for choosing to believe in Jesus is now, and when a person submits to Him, they shall receive forgiveness for their sins and everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words take heed.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus declared the rich man said, “I pray you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house” 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".