We see a clear dramatic difference in their lives now. Clearly the rich man represents the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, and Lazarus represents the repentant sinners that are coming to Jesus for forgiveness. In verses 19-21, the emphasis is on the great contrast between the two different lives of the rich man and the poor man. The parable has two scenes–first the earthly circumstances of the two men, and then the second scene is in the afterlife when there is a great reversal of fortune. Therefore Jesus told the parable in Luke 16:19-31 in order to explain Gods view of the Pharisees love of money. Loving anything in the place of God is idolatry and a violation of the first commandment. All of these things are wonderful blessings to be enjoyed, unless people love them instead of God. Success, wealth, power, social position, and self indulgence are all esteemed by the human race, but love of these things is detestable to God. This begs the question about what is esteemed by men, but detestable to God. Jesus told them that they “justified themselves”, but God knows their hearts and the things esteemed by men are detestable to God. The Pharisees even taught that their position and wealth came to them because they were righteous. ![]() The Pharisees were lovers of money meaning they had put money in the place of God, and they were “scoffing at Jesus” for teaching that sinners could be saved and faithful stewardship was expected by God. The context of the parable can be found in Luke 16:13-14. ![]() He thought he had it made, and he had no regard for the poor needy Lazarus, but when they passed away there was a severe reversal of fortune.Įvery parable Jesus taught was provoked by a question or a situation in which Jesus’ audience was clueless, and therefore Jesus explained a spiritual truth they didn’t understand by telling a story they could understand. In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16, the rich guy found out the hard way that this is true. My favorite scene from the movie “Patton” is when he is walking away at the end, and the voice over says, “After winning their great battles, the Romans had victory parades, but there was always one odd fellow standing next to the conqueror whispering ‘all glory is fleeting”. We tend to think that we are deserving, and like the theology of Israel we think our hard work and good life has given us our wealth and our blessings from God. When people are successful and all is going well, they are in the biggest danger of presuming upon God. People may not admit it, but most have an entitlement problem, they think they deserve Gods favor. Paul then told the church at Corinth, “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall”. Out of the millions who left Egypt only two humble believers got to go into the Promised Land. But it all went to their head, and in their pride they disobeyed God so that He had to discipline them severely. Then God promised them a new home-a land flowing with milk and honey. God gave them His Law and set them apart as a favored nation. God led them out and met their every need with manna from heaven, water, and leading them with the pillar of fire in the cloud. ![]() Israel had seen many miracles done on their behalf, and they left Egypt showered in all the gold and riches of Egypt. 10, Paul gave the church the example of Israel in the wilderness after the Exodus as a warning to all who are prideful and unbelieving. Their elitism and fierce pride would mean their doom. For this reason the religious leaders were rejecting Jesus because they saw salvation as something they alone had earned. Therefore Jesus said to her “your sins are forgiven…your faith has saved you, go in peace.” This outraged the Pharisees because she was a known sinner, and Jesus had the audacity to say her sins were forgiven when only God can do that. She was weeping and worshipping Jesus by cleaning His feet with her tears. ![]() 1620-30 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)ĭuring Jesus’ ministry, He was appealing to the humble downtrodden people who recognize their guilt and confess their sin, like the woman who came to Jesus in Luke 7:37-50. Luke 16:19, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus English: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, painting by Bartholomeus van Bassen, ca.
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