Author: Bill Hall

‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’

Luke 16:24

The Word of God is fresh every time we read it. And we learn new things all the time. Upon reading this again I think about the selfishness of this man. What is his first thought and request? Yes, he is in torment. But his relief is his first priority, just as in life.

He does not begin by thinking of his siblings, nor does he see Lazarus as anything but a means to get what he wants. Evidently, he had no problem in requesting that Lazarus be troubled in death for his help, even though he would never have troubled himself for Lazarus’ relief in his life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us each other to remind us of our needs. We can get so focused on ourselves and our own needs. You are the perfect example for us of sacrifice. You have given Your Son. You have worked out our salvation in spite of our sin. If you were concerned only for Yourself, we would be a world of mindless robots able to do nothing but always what we are told. You are truly amazing to be able to make the creatures that You do and care for them. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray, and praise You, Amen.

And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.

Luke 16:23

To hear that Lazarus was at the side of Abraham and not the rich man was backwards to those listening to Jesus. Their sensibilities were threatened by this teaching. The last thing they expected to hear when they got up that morning was a story about a rich man in hell.

The exception would be if the crowd assumed that this rich man was a tax collector. In that case, he would definitely be expected to be in hell. In either case, they would not expect a poor beggar to be at Abraham’s side.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your working on our lives in spite of ourselves. We can get so full of ourselves, and so empty of Your Spirit. Forgive our pride! You are amazing, wonderful, and so holy! Every day Your truth is new and fresh to our hearts and lives. Ever alive, Your revelation gives us hope by Your Almighty Power. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise You, Amen.

One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

Luke 16:22

Some things that are part of our popular culture in connection with death and the afterlife are very fanciful and have no basis in Scripture. However, Jesus does here confirm the idea that angels carry away the righteous dead.

Some have said that because this is a story that Jesus is telling, we should not get any ideas from it. In other words, because it is a story, some things could be inaccurate. But this is an unnecessary attempt to explain away difficulties. Yes, Jesus is telling a story, and we do not know if there was an actual person named Lazarus. But there’s nothing in the passage to dictate that there wasn’t.

In this verse Jesus is setting his hearers up for the next line of the story. To them, it would be shocking. They would expect for the rich man to be at Abraham’s side in Paradise.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your truth. It’s so easy for us to forget just how precious it is. We think that we have it all figured out, that we have a good handle on how things really are. But all we can really do is just stand in awe of your wisdom, your truth, and your power. You are holy, good, and pure. Even as your children, we are so different from you, you are so much higher and greater than anything we can understand. Your ways are much different from our ways. I will give you praise for this forever and ever. All glory be to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and praise you, Amen.

He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.

Luke 16:21

Lazarus would have loved to eat off the floor in the rich man’s house. To understand the contrast here, we have to understand the role of dogs in ancient times. Dogs were not the prized companions that they are today. Traveling in wandering packs, they were seen more as the vultures of the ground.

The contrast here is not simply rich and poor. It is also a contrast between honor and shame. The rich man was viewed positively by his peers. Lazarus was viewed in shame by everyone.

In Jewish society, this was especially true. This rich man would have been seen as a true son of Abraham. His affluence served as evidence of his holiness in the mind of the Jewish society of Jesus’ day. Lazarus’ poverty was seen as evidence of his sinfulness. As a result, this parable turned the accepted thinking on its head.

Heavenly Father, I am so often reminded that You do not think the way we do. Your plans are different from ours. You can know it all ahead of time. Your ways are perfect. I can not comprehend You fully. I can only rely upon You for understanding. Thank You for allowing us to even know You at all. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise You, Amen.

But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate.

Luke 16:20

Notice very well the way this is stated. Lazarus was ‘left’ or ‘laid’ at the rich man’s gate. This poor fellow was obviously the victim of a malady that was not communicable. And, as such he was put in the place that he remained in much of the time. He was homeless. Likely his few friends had secured this spot for him.

We do not know if the rich man had anything to do with the placement of Lazarus, but they knew each other and the rich man was familiar with Lazarus’ predicament. He may even have felt himself very beneficent to allow this sore-covered fellow anywhere close to his home. Begging at this rich man’s gate at least provided for Lazarus a meager existence.

Heavenly Father, the material blessings that You give us are such a source of happiness for us. But when we think of spiritual blessings, the joy we can share with each other is boundless. Your grace, mercy, and love are endless. The wisdom, peace, patience, and endurance that we can gain from You are precious gifts. You are always new to us. Your ways and thoughts are so much higher than we realize. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.

Luke 16:19

There has always been a debate about this rich man. Did Jesus have someone in particular in mind? Personally I think it is very likely He did. But in any case, there were any number of rich folks in His days that this could be about.

Jesus starts this parable by giving us a descriptive picture of this individual. He is not simply well off. This man was among the ‘obnoxious’ rich. Everyone knew he was rich, and he liked it that way.

Heavenly Father, Your Name is Great and Your Word is Marvelous above all else. I can never grasp all that is to be known of You. But each day in pursuit of that knowledge brings me joy. Thank You for the choices You have made. You are always right and good. It makes life worth living. We can face tomorrow knowing You are in charge. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and everyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Luke 16:18

In my years I have come across some who felt this passage was too harsh, and should be buried in obscurity. But I have also met many who were very aquatinted with the horrors of divorce. They felt the weight and pain of the experience.

I have seen people survive divorce with their integrity intact. Far more often, it destroys the integrity of both parties. Therefore I find it very unwise to try and ‘water down’ the plain meaning of Scripture. Divorce and adultery are inseparably intertwined.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of marriage. You have always encouraged good, healthy, strong families. This is one of the many ways we see Your great wisdom and love. You understand us so much better than we understand ourselves. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out.

Luke 16:17

The Bible shares with us in many places the fact that God’s Word is changeless. It is tied to the LORD Himself, and as such is immutable. This is one of the many reasons that interacting with the Bible daily is so important. It serves as an anchor. Even for Christians there is still a temptation in our souls to be unstable.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your immutability. It is easy for us to misunderstand Your changelessness. We usually think that means You are rigid and hard, unfeeling and like a stone. But You are not. You are a wonderful, beautiful person that is more alive and full of feeling than we are. But You need not grow or modify Yourself. Instead, You are the Fountain of Life. You alone uphold everything. Existence is itself dependent upon You and Your Divine Essence. Thank You for being The Good One and The Only One! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it.

Luke 16:16

On several occasions Jesus signaled what time it was in the plan of God. His listeners, by and large, missed these messages. But He did indicate that there was a shift in progress, and warned the wise to be ready and responsive.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Truth! You are altogether wonderful and awesome beyond all imagination. We see only a glimpse of Your glory and are as yet overwhelmed. May we bring You praise in all that we do! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And He told them: “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.

Luke 16:15

Money was not an indication of righteousness. The theology of the Pharisees was all wrong. They thought they were good because they were rich. They did not value what God values, but what man values.

Heavenly Father, thank You for putting value into our lives. To be justified in Your sight by Your Son is a blessing beyond words. Self-justification is unnecessary and ineffective. But the cross is both necessary and effective. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.