Luke 16:19-31
Parallel Accounts
No parallel accounts
Context
- Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem.
- In this section Jesus has been very critical of the Pharisees and once again uses a parable to convey the idea that they are not as in a secure position as they think.
Luke’s reason for recording
- This is not a teaching about heaven and hell.
- The parable unmasks the misconception of how one enters into heaven and reinforces the importance of faith.
First Century Cosmology
- Jesus spoke parables that used familiar concepts and ideas.
- In this parable Jesus uses first century cosmology.
The Uniqueness of the Parable
- This is the only recorded parable where Jesus uses a proper name.
- The claim: the parable is an actual account, so Jesus is revealing the real nature of Hades and/or heaven and hell.
- However…
- The existence of only one of these parables doesn’t exclude the fact that Jesus may have used others.
- The name Lazarus has meaning and significance that would not have gone unnoticed.
Possible reasons for using Lazarus
- The name means “God has helped” and conveys the idea that God does in deed help the poor, sick and weak (people whom the Pharisees rejected).
- Eliezer was the servant of Abraham and therefore may suggest that the people whom the Pharisees saw as lost causes could become heirs of the Kingdom over “the children of Abraham” or those who believed themselves secure because of position.
What the parable teaches
- Heaven
- Faith (trust, belief, dependence) and relationship with God is the key to heaven.
- Without this there is no other position a person can be in that will get them into heaven.
- Blessing:
- “Blessing” is not a relative term nor is it in the eye of the beholder.
- God determines blessing.
- God’s blessing may look more like a curse from a worldly standpoint.
- God’s blessing always draws people closer to him.
- The heart of a true servant:
- True servants of God cannot ignore the plight of man.
- True servants are to act when and where they can with what they have.
- God’s revelation
- God has made sufficient communication with the world concerning his love and provision.
- There is no excuse, you either accept what he has provided or you reject it.
Transformation Expectation
- Live by faith.
- God has blessed you so that you can draw closer to him.
- God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others.
- God’s revelation is sufficient so trust him.