by David Brenneman
"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:8-14.
“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
What would the story of Jesus coming have to do with the story of the Rich man and Lazarus? That's probably one of your first questions.
There's something very significant about the story of the Rich man and Lazarus that sticks out to the one really looking at it. Unlike other parables this one looks to be said from a historical context. As in it was taken from actual history.
The story of the angels coming to tell the shepherds that the Savior was coming that very night and where to go certainly is written from actual history. Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies coming together all in one night.
Facts are facts and the fact is what we read is part of the Word of God and should be taken for how Jesus wants it to be in order to impact our lives and the lives of those around us.
We like to cozy up to the story of Jesus coming. As one friend pointed out recently...most all nativity scene sets are set up wrong concerning the facts of when the wise men showed up. They showed up several years later when Joseph and Mary were in a house.
Facts are facts is something akin to evidence in a case in a court.
In Christ's mission and in His teaching...facts were the facts because He IS truth. He cannot convey anyting that is not.
If we believe the narrative of the birth of Jesus as foretold of by the angels then we ought to certainly believe the rest of the teachings of Jesus...including the not so nice parts of the reality if sin and death.
The reality of sin and death began being interwoven into what Jesus taught and conveyed after it was fully clear that the Jewish leaders had rejected Jesus as the Messiah. What was probably the topic of conversation at the transfiguration was that very subject. History shows us the facts as Jesus said they were and how they would be. by 70 AD exactly as Jesus said would be...the Roman's came and obliterated Jerusalem and the Temple. Even their own said that this kind of rage against a city could only be as God being that angry with His people.
Doesn't sound very 'Christmasy' does it? Well, my Dear Reader, not everything Jesus said, when He said it, was received well no matter when the time of year was. He was living out the Father's plan for Him as the Father wanted it, said in the way that the Father wanted it said.
Our time on Earth is finite. There's no way of knowing when we will breathe our last. Our very breath is a gift from God. Each heartbeat is by His divine providence. We know not when we will step into eternity but be very much assured we ALL will step into eternity. Just as assuredly as the birth of Jesus.
Facts are facts...Jesus said we know not the day nor the hour of His return...but we are both forewarned and have been told to be ready for it.
Facts are facts...Jesus said that He came to die for sinners. To pay the price they couldn't pay. Which means it doesn't matter what anyone believes...the God of the Universe says that there IS an eternal penalty for sin. For those who have come to Christ it's been covered by the shed blood of Jesus. For those who have not and or refuse to acknowledge it...their sin remains as does the eternal punishment. Only a taste of it is revealed in this story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Facts are facts...this time of year most celebrate the birth and coming of the Savior of all mankind.
Facts are facts...not everyone wants to acknowledge that they are in need of a Savior.
Facts are Facts my Friend...you need to decide whether or not Jesus is who He said He is...nobody can choose for you.
The greatest gift every offered sits at the feet of everyone who's ever lived. The fact is you must choose it. You must decide to come to Christ to be saved. Nobody can do it for you. Your choice will either put you where the Rich man is today or it will put you in Heaven with Jesus when your time comes.
What must someone do to be saved?
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.
Your presents that might come in a few days will eventually wear out or break. What you get from coming to Jesus for to be saved...will last for eternity.
Facts are facts...God so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son that if you believe in Him you will not perish but have everlasting life.
Those are the Facts...
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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