Reading: Luke 14-16
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead(Luke 16:27-31).
Everyone born will come to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. For those who come to know Him in their lifetime, the knowledge will bring joy, peace, and life everlasting. For those who refuse to see Him in life, death will forcibly open their eyes. They will understand their error too late to do anything to correct it. For this group of people, recognition will bring horror, pain, and eternal regret. As they suffer under the weight of their sins, they will know in full what they threw away. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence (Luke 16:25-26).
After being told that his situation cannot be altered, the rich man changes his plea. He goes from seeking personal relief to begging that Lazarus be returned from the dead and sent as a messenger to visit his brothers to confirm the reality of hell so that they might repent and be saved. Although this request appears on the surface to be motivated by a concern for his brothers' well-being, it also serves as a subtle indictment of the Lord for what the rich man perceived as a lack of transparency. The rich man believed that if only God would send a clear message detailing the realities of hell, everyone would know to avoid it. With certainty, the rich man proclaimed, If one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
The truth in Abraham’s reply was lost on the man condemned to hell, much as it is lost on many living in the world today. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. If a person has set his or her mind against God, there is no miracle great enough to bridge that divide. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation (John 11:47-48). The Pharisees witnessed many of Christ’s miracles but discounted them all as the work of a self-serving charlatan. They had allowed the traditions of men to overwrite the Word of God in their hearts; thus, they were utterly cut off from God’s truth even when it unfolded right in front of them. The same is true of all who refuse the Word of God today. Those who will not hear will never perceive the truth.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God(Rom. 10:17).
Thought for Today: Ultimately, God does not require our acknowledgment or acceptance; it is we who desperately need to know Him.
Cross Reference: For Luke 16:15: See Prov. 21:2.
Word Studies:14:26 hate not . . . = all natural affections are to be as compared with the Christian's devotedness and love for Christ. Jesus clarified this when He said: Who is My mother? and who are My brethren? . . . For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother (Matt. 12:48-50); 14:32 ambassage = delegation; 15:16 would fain = craved to; 16:11 unrighteous mammon = the use of your money in this world.
Pray for CountryFrance (66,259,012) Western Europe • Major Language: French • Religious Freedom • 83-88% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant; 1% Jewish; 5-10% Muslim; 4% Unaffiliated • Prayer Suggestion: Let your prayers be praise to the Lord (Ps. 150:6).