Day 16 of 24

 Today's passage: Luke 16

Today's focus: vs. 19-31

Author: [pulled from the archives of 2020]

The teaching of the Rich Man and Lazarus has always scared me for multiple reasons. 

1. Hell is unpleasant. This used to be an obvious statement, but it's sad to see how light our culture makes of it. Many shows portray Hell as "cool" and Satan as "misunderstood." This passage reminds us that it is so unbearable that the Rich Man begs for a drop of water on his tongue because he is in anguish. 
2. No return. Because of the great chasm that has been fixed, those in Hell cannot enter Heaven. There is no "purgatory" in which people can have hope of repentance. No amount of prayer, good deeds, tithing, or incense burning conducted by family members will save the one who has already passed. 
3. Our role. We are the hope God gives to the world. We are called to be salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). 
4. Hardened hearts. There are some who will never believe and reject the Resurrection. 

It's a scary thought that right now in Hell there are those who are hoping their family members on earth would heed the warning.  "I really hope that someone from the Chinese church in Duluth would warn my family lest they also come into this place of torment."  May you and I never tire of finding opportunities to share the Gospel. 

Still, we may share the Gospel, but they may reject. After all, Jesus' words are clear: "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead." Even if they saw Jesus Himself-- even if they heard Him speak-- they would reject Him. It is oddly comforting for the Christian, then, to know that if someone were to reject, they don't reject us. We are not to take it personally. If they reject our words when we share the Gospel, they reject the words of Christ. They reject God directly. 

Pray earnestly that God works in the hearts of those who hear.