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Intimacy with God… Good, separation from God… Bad!
In addition to a lot of prayer and meditation, I read several commentaries on this parable in preparing to write this devotional, and not surprisingly, there are a wide variety of opinions as to what exactly this parable means for us. One commentator had a rather compelling argument that the rich man represented the Tribe of Judah, to whom the Pharisees traced their ancestral roots, and Lazarus represented the Gentiles. He further argued that when speaking of the rich man’s torment and the chasm between him and Abraham and Lazarus, the parable is not describing the reality of what is about to happen in the affairs of humanity, but rather, “This parable is a satire, ridiculing the stance of the Scribes and Pharisees. It is a prophecy to be fulfilled in time.” In other words, the rejection of Christ by the nation of Israel would lead to torment and separation from God’s blessings (not necessarily for eternity), while the Gentiles would accept Christ and be comforted in their intimate relationship with God. The real take away for me from this commentary was this, “The difference between the rich man and Lazarus was not of position and/or possession, but their personal response to their own particular situation.” That’s good stuff.
Other commentators took the view that the parable is indeed about the reality of what is about to happen in the affairs of humanity, a more literal translation, and that a life of sin will lead to an eternity of torment and separation from God (which is the definition of torment to me). So what’s the take away for me from Luke 16:25-26? Regardless of whether you believe in a more literal translation or something deeper, the common theme no matter how you view it is that the choices we make in life (i.e. our sin) can separate us from God, and that ain’t good (pardon my southern)! As believers, we are comforted by the fact that the chasm between us and God has been bridged by the cross of Christ Jesus (I stole that from the imagery Alan uses in Jesus 101, thanks Alan!). However, even though we are secure in our salvation through faith in Christ, our sin can still separate us from the close and intimate relationship that God desires with each of us.
As a Jesus follower, in reading this passage, I am forced to ask myself some difficult questions. So, I present some of these discussion questions below for your consideration.
Thanks Kevin for making me think and look at my sin this morning. I am thankful for the cross and Jesus who shed his blood for my sins. Also as we looked at Sunday I am greatful for the resurection because without it I am still lost. The other thing that struck me in the passage today was the lack of support for the prosperity gospel. Not that rich men can’t get into heaven but that their hearts are often consumed by their money and makeing it.
Thanks Kevin for your challenging words and questions. I agree…although I’m confident in my salvation, the RICHness of my relationship (i.e., intimacy) with God is impacted by things I do or don’t do, say, think…choices I make…sin. Like Penny, I’m eternally grateful for Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection – providing me THE way to have a relationship with God.
Father, please help me more clearly recognize the impact my choices have in the level of imtimacy I have with You through your Son…and the boldness and energy and wisdom to make better decisions – the right decisions.
(PS: Kevin, my wife Brittany also went to Ole Miss…graduated in ’93. When were y’all there?)
Doug,
I started in 1992, so it looks like I was there her last year. My wife started the year after. I had heard a rumor that there was other Ole Miss folks at CCC. Very cool!