Reaping God’s Justice

June 24, 2018 Background Scripture: Luke 16:19 – 31; John 5:24 – 30 Lesson Passage: Luke 16:19 – 31 In last week’s lesson, Jesus pointed out the unjust religious traditions of the Jews that were nullifying the word of God. Those religious traditions were also referred to as the traditions of the elders. Those religious rituals did not grow out of the holy rituals delivered to Israel through Moses. Rather, they were substituted in place of some of the holy rituals delivered to them. In today’s lesson, Jesus teaches about the end result of embracing religious traditions rather than the word of God. Jesus’ message was, without doubt, clear and succinct. God was graciously offering eternal life to anyone who put their trust in Him, and Him alone, through Jesus Christ and forsake attempting to please Him through personal acts of piety. Trusting God would lead the person to live a life of fulfillment of the Law of God not out of piety but out of a generous and loving heart. Such persons would care for their fellowman and execute justice and righteousness in their dealings with others. On the other hand, pious acts of unrighteousness would end in the eternal destruction of the person. Heaven and Hell are realities of the eternal destination of human souls. Jesus offered no other alternatives besides these two. All people are born in sin and destined for everlasting damnation because of the fallen nature of sin inherited from Adam. God’s offer of grace includes eternal life in His presence after the person’s physical death, or the disrobing of their flesh prior to the rapture of the church. Either God will save us because we accept His offer of grace, or we will be destined for eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. In the gospel narrative in Luke, Jesus relates a story of two individuals whose paths crossed although they were destined for two different eternal states. It appears to be a parable, but if it is, it is unique among the parables of Jesus. Jesus reveals the name of one of the persons in the story. It is instructive that he only gives the name of the person who went to eternal rest and bliss in the bosom of Abraham. The person who was condemned to eternal torment and punishment in the Lake of Fire remains anonymous. Although the message of the story is not about wealth and poverty, it serves as a reminder that too often we allow our financial status to determine our actions and thoughts towards others. The rich man was described as living a life of luxury with the finest of accommodations. Lazarus was a poor beggar who lay at the gate of the rich man’s estate desiring crumbs falling from the rich man’s table. Both men died and ended up in their eternal abode. They were separated forever; the one from the other. In torment, the rich man begged Abraham to allow Lazarus to come and comfort him. It is worth noting that the rich man knew Lazarus by sight and by name. With all of his worldly goods, it appears that the rich man never bothered to assist Lazarus with even the bare necessities of life. Jesus’ message is clear, Judgment Day is coming. And when it comes, we shall reap God’s justice. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a person sows, that shall they also reap. Robert C. Hudson May 18, 2018