Parables
“A Life Squandered”
Luke 16:19-31
What a parable!!
This one is unique.
It only appears in Luke.
It is the only one in which a character is named.
And it is the only one which happens mainly beyond the grave.
And so it takes a little bit of working out about what we ought to do with it.
The story in itself has a tremendous plot.
The rich man who lives royally everyday but indifferent to the poor man Lazarus who is so close.
He obviously knows him by name, but that is about as far as the relationship goes.
The description of the rich man’s clothes and Lazarus’ pitiful existence describe the worst of the rich and poor.
But after death the roles are reversed.
And the descriptions of the rich man’s and Lazarus’ existence are even more powerful and compelling.
And the conversation starts…
It is a conversation which is so very important to listen to – because it is a conversation which (in a sense) every person here is destined to have one day.
One day every person here, every person who lived, will be having this kind of conversation.
This parable is a gift. Because at the end of the story the Rich Man’s request to send Lazarus back from the dead is refused. Lazarus cannot go back to warn his brothers.
But – we get the warning!
Now while the characters are fictional; and while this is not a parable trying to give precise geographical details about heaven – it is a parable that has cast-iron reality.
As one commentator (Craig Blomberg) puts it – it is a parable about being “too late”.
The power of this parable is that we can hear it before it is too late.
The Rich Man’s attention…
…to others is “too late”
Now he begins to notice Lazarus…
Now he is concerned about his brothers…
But now it’s no use.
…to what cannot change is “too late”
He pleads for some relief. But he is told that there is a chasm fixed and it cannot be crossed.
There are no reversals now. No redemption. No salvation.
Beyond the grave heaven and hell are fixed. There is no traffic between them. No opportunity to repent.
…to Scripture is “too late”
The chilling thing is the Rich Man’s hard-heartedness.
All his life he was indifferent to God and others.
Even in the afterlife this self-absorption and hard-heartedness is evident.
At last he notices Lazarus but just considers him as someone available to do his bidding.
“Lazarus come and cool my tongue!”
“Lazarus go and warn my brothers!”
But it is all too late.
And now this parable which gives us a view of the “future” draws very close to our “present”.
Jesus finishes the story with the final conversation between the Rich Man and Abraham.
“Send someone back from the dead to warn others” begs the Rich Man.
“No” says Abraham, “They have the Scriptures. They can listen to those”.
“That won’t do it” says the Rich Man. “More is needed. A sign is needed. If someone was to come back from the dead then they would repent”.
Abraham’s response is devastating.
Of course – it is Jesus’ response. His comment on that generation and this generation must contend with the same pronouncement.
“If they do not listen to the Scriptures, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.”
Such is the power of a hardened heart.
Such a person will cease to listen to Scripture, yet will demand signs but not even believe should they see such a sign.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus resisted the calls and demands for a sign. Even at His trial Herod asked for one. He had been hoping to see one for a while and here was Jesus before him. Maybe now!
Ironically – the demand for a sign (as requested by Rich Man) was within his grasp during his life. What a “sign” of God’s compassion and love it would have been had he been more attentive to a Biblical way of reaching the poor man at his door.
Jesus’ Resurrection is in view here.
And this is an extraordinary moment.
If someone does not listen to Scripture – not even the Son of God rising from the dead will convince them.
When we read the stories of what happened after Jesus rose – Jesus opened the Scriptures to bewildered, fearful and disbelieving disciples.
The two on the Road to Emmaus.
The disciples huddled in the room.
[read Luke 24:36-49]
Jesus explains why He had to suffer. And in these verses there is a movement from the terrible suffering that He endured, to His resurrection, to the forgiveness of sins, to the promise of the Spirit.
All resting on belief and understanding of scripture.
Peter later at Pentecost explained that dramatic sign and wonder of God by explaining scripture.
This parable predicts and explains one of the most puzzling features about the Easter story.
After His Resurrection – why did Jesus not appear to those who tried Him, tortured Him, and scorned Him?
Why did He not appear to those Pharisees?
Maybe it’s because of what this parable is saying.
If you are deaf to Scripture you will be blind to the signs and wonders of God.
This is such an extraordinary thing.
This parable is saying that if people do not believe and understand scripture, they will be unable to understand and discern God’s work in their life and in the world.
The potential for distortion and sensationalism is huge.
“Forget scripture – give us something dramatic!”
The danger that this parable speaks of is closer than we think.
The potential of holding scripture lightly in our faith, life and worship is always with us.
Of yawning when we open the pages of scripture and lusting for something more!!
Eugene Peterson writes about the essence of such an approach to God with reference to a very common way by which we connect with God.
Worship.
He writes about the importance and centrality of scripture as we live the life of faith and worship.
He draws attention to the dangers of a faith that does not have scripture clearly in view…
In worship the community of God’s people assemble to hear God’s word spoken in scripture, sermon and sacrament. The faith that is created by that proclaimed word develops responses of praise, obedience, and commitment. At no time has there ever been a biblical faith, or any kind of continuing life in relation to God, apart from such common worship. By persisting in the frequent, corporate worship in which God’s word is central, God’s people are prevented from making up a religion out of their own private ideas of God. They are also prevented from making a private, individualized [sic] salvation out of what they experience, separating themselves from brothers and sisters with whom God has made it clear his saving love is to be shared, both in receiving and giving.
The parable speaks of this incredible chasm between heaven and hell.
A chasm which cannot be traversed in the afterlife.
Speaking of the finality of people’s destiny after death.
A time when it will be too late.
Today.
Now.
In people’s hearts. Maybe yours – there could be a similar chasm.
A chasm between a place which you occupy with a hardened heart. A heart which is indifferent to God and others. Really.
Yet demanding proofs. Demanding signs before you believe.
And another place where you might occupy which would have you hearing and obeying Scripture.
A place where you can see.
Where you can see the signs and wonders of Christ because you believe and submit to His Word.
Your mind has been opened.
Whatever your state – whatever you position – one thing is certain today.
Today…
…it’s not too late.
But one day it could be.
Today is the day of salvation.
Presented By: Rev. Geoff New