25 "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. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
In our verses for today, Lazarus now finds himself feasting on heavenly comfort food with the wealthy. Abraham, a great and rich earthly man, was also the father of the faithful hence all saints in heaven will find themselves dining with him along with Isaac, Jacob and the likes. What a contrasting position we discover Lazarus to be in considering the previous verses! No longer crying for crumbs at the gate of the wealthy, Lazarus finds himself dining in the lap of luxury with the Who’s Who of heaven! Rich and poor saints alike meet at heaven’s gate and feast at heaven’s table. I am reminded of the following verses in Isaiah:
6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines. Isaiah 25:6 (NIV)
Certainly, this is something no one would want to miss! Unfortunately, some will. Our rich protagonist, now departed from his earthly God given goods, pitifully, has nothing to draw from for comfort. In torment and anguish he becomes the beggar desiring mercy and comfort from the very one he had slighted. All of the blessings God had bestowed to him in his earthly life he had chosen to “bury” in a grave of self-centeredness and self-indulgence rather than choosing to “sow” life in charity and mercy towards others. This should be a red flag for us as well. It matters how we live our lives. We will all have to give an account for that which has been placed in our hands and how and with what we build on the foundation of Christ. I am reminded of the passage in 1 Corinthians:
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Cor 3:10-15 (NIV)
This passage is not in regards to our salvation rather the judgment of the quality of our works for God’s kingdom and God’s glory. Have we been faithful stewards of the gifts we have been entrusted with? We find this in other places of Scripture as well. Paul tells us in Romans:
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 (NIV)
The writer of Hebrews also states:
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)
I can’t help but mention the finality of it all. The “great chasm” is fixed and certain. There is no going back and forth. Scripture tells us:
27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, Heb 9:27 (NIV)
In light of this, Paul pleads with us in 2 Corinthians:
1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)
“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” Lewis
Sweetly and comfortingly now we hear our Savior saying “Come to me” yet unfortunately there will come a day when those who have not received Him, those who have believed on His name will hear these final words:
27 "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' 28 "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. Luke 13:27-28 (NIV)
“The future belongs to those who belong to God. This is hope.” W.T. Purkiser
“You know to what extent You have already changed me, You who first healed me of the lust of vindicating myself, so that You might forgive all my remaining iniquities, and heal my diseases, and redeem my life from corruption, and crown me with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and satisfy my desire with good things.” St. Augustine