If they do not listen... They will not be persuaded...

Luke 16:19-17:10 (NASB) from the daily reading in the One Year Bible (link on links page)

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. ²⁰ And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, ²¹ 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. ²² 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. ²³ In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴ 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.’ ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ 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.’ ²⁷ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹ But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ ³¹ 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.’”

As we read and reflect on today's text we need to be careful not to miss the real meaning and significance of this account of the rich man and Lazarus. It is easy to focus on the conditions of the two men during their lives. What we should learn from that is  in comparison to eternity the length and circumstances of our lives is insignificant. Whatever our circumstances in this life, whether good or bad it is but a twinkling in eternity. When we see or experience suffering or injustice in this world, when people point to a situation and say how can a good God allow these things to happen, we need to hold onto the truth that eternity in God's presence will surely remove the sting of even a lifetime of suffering or injustice. On the other hand a lifetime of comfort in this world would be a high price to pay if it means eternity without God. All of the comforts and material things of this world are only temporary, even here they come and go in an instant and no earthly treasure or position will go with us to eternity except our position in Christ.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21:      ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The real message and significance of this story is found in these words:    ‘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.’”

Moses and the Prophets is a reference to scripture, the written word of that time. From Genesis and the original sin throughout the Bible, the Law and the recorded accounts of Moses and the accounts and writings of the Prophets it all points to God's plan to redeem and restore us to Him. When Jesus says that if they will not believe the revelation of the word of God they will not believe even if someone rises from the dead, He is speaking of the fact that many will reject Him, His message of the kingdom of heaven and His work on the cross even though He has defeated sin and death by the resurrection.

 2 Peter 3:9 in the Amplified version says:         The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

That's God's desire. He wants everyone to come to know His redemption and restoration. Jesus has overcome the grave and risen from the dead. God wants to reveal His love, His truth and His plan to all.    Romans 1:18-25 explains what happens when people reject the revelation of God.  

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. ²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. ²⁵ For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

When we respond to God's revelation of Himself to us He increases that revelation. In John 6:44-45 Jesus says: ⁴⁴ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

Jesus is risen!    Each one must choose whether or not to believe.    The revelation of God's love and His plan of redemption and restoration is found in His written word.     Each one must choose whether or not to believe.      Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.     Each one must choose whether or not to believe.

The rich man learned to late. None of us know the days of our life. The text says: 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.’  

Each one must choose.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer and Savior, precious Holy Spirit, thank You for the revelation of Your love and Your plan of salvation, redemption and restoration. I pray that today many more will open their eyes and understanding to Your revelation, whether through the emprty grave, Your written Word, the beauty and glory of Your creation or through the testimony of other changed lives, even mine. To You be all glory and honor forever.   Amen