WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.000 So one of my favorite books or movies to watch at Christmas time is the famous Victorian author Charles Dickens book or movie, it's been turned into many movies since then, The Christmas Carol. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:16.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:45.000 He's been told by him about what waits for him in the afterlife if he continues being a stingy or cruel broker, because he was a broker or a moneylender who would tax the poor heavily. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:57.000 Marley is fated, it's described, to chase these boxes full of money that are chained to him and they're always out of reach and he's fated to chase them, to drag them with him. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:03.000 And it's the same thing because he chased these boxes to fill them in his life as he walked the earth. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:07.000 And now he's destined all eternity to chase them. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:12.000 So through the story, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:20.000 And these three ghosts warn him that if he does not have a change of heart, they show him in different ways of his past, present and future, 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:26.000 that if he doesn't change, his heart doesn't change, that he has the same destiny as Marley. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:31.000 He actually has worse destiny because he has time to fill the links of the chains even more. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:35.000 The story has a nice happy ending. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:37.000 Scrooge's heart is changed. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:43.000 And the thing that's interesting about this story, that when it was written in the era of the Victorians, 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:51.000 givings from the rich drastically went up after this story for a couple of years. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:58.000 See, we come to a parable that Daniel just read, that Jesus is talking to his disciples and those around him. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:05.000 And the thing about this, Jesus is telling a parable to his disciples and those around him of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:10.000 No ghosts visit the rich man to give him warnings. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:13.000 And the fate is played out for him. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:15.000 There's no warnings for this man. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:19.000 Jesus, in a sense, tells a biblical Christmas carol story. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:20.000 And we're going to look at it. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:22.000 And we're going to look at it in three ways. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:28.000 And it's the unworthiness of the rich man, the arrogance of the rich man, and the great reversal. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:48.000 And we see through this parable that it is only the gospel that can cure the heart of greed, that can cure a heart of false justice, that can cure a heart of pride, and can cure a heart of giving a disregard to those who suffer around us. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:55.000 So if you haven't already, please turn with me to Luke chapter 16, verses 19 to 31. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:59.000 If you don't have a Bible, there's some on the tables just outside the doors. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:07.000 Anytime, go and grab one, because it's very helpful to be able to follow along with the text in front of you, or flip to it on your phone. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:12.000 See, we're landing in Luke's gospel, and where we're landing is very significant. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:19.000 From chapter 15 to chapter 17, Jesus has been giving parable after parable on certain topics. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:22.000 And these topics are on the rich and the poor. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:29.000 And a parable is a short, simple story designed to illustrate a moral lesson. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:32.000 It's designed to teach a spiritual practice. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.000 It's designed to teach a philosophical truth. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:41.000 And Jesus does this over and over again in his gospels, as most of us are familiar with. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:50.000 See, the thing here is that these have been about the rich and the poor, and the fates that will play out if the heart does not change of the rich people. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:56.000 And then the one we come to is the most dramatic one of all in these chapters. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.000 There's no other parable or story like it in the Bible. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.000 So we're going to look at it. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.000 So point one, the unworthiness of the rich man. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:08.000 Look with me at verses 19 to 21. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:16.000 There is a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and who feasted sumptuously every day. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:25.000 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, who covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:30.000 Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:34.000 See, Jesus immediately introduces two characters here. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:37.000 The rich man is clothed in purple and fine linen. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:42.000 In ancient times, this signified immense wealth and social status. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:51.000 Before Jesus is crucified, as you read later on in the gospels, the people, the Roman soldiers put on him a purple robe. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:55.000 And they do this to mock him, because he claimed to be the son of God. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.000 And they mocked him in this. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.000 And they thought that he just assumed that he was the king of the Jews. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:05.000 So they put on a purple robe on him and mock him and hit him. 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:10.000 The poor man, Lazarus, is described as being covered in sores. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:16.000 No description is given to his clothing, because he most likely would have been in rags or naked at the gate. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.000 In a sense, he is clothed in sores. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:25.000 Which, in his culture of the time, the people would have just assumed that he is unclean. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.000 He is a societal reject. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:29.000 He is experiencing divine punishment. 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.000 The people around him would have just assumed this of him. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:34.000 See, the rich man feasted. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:35.000 We come to the next point. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:37.000 The rich man feasted every day. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:41.000 Think of the biggest meals you can think of. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:43.000 Like a turkey dinner at Christmas, every day. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:45.000 But Lazarus starved. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.000 He desired the crumbs that fell from the table. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:51.000 And this normally would have been left for the dogs. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:55.000 But the dogs are too busy harassing Lazarus by licking his sores. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:00.000 And then lastly, notice here in the text, in the section we just read, 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:03.000 how Lazarus is laid at the gate. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:07.000 Which most likely would signify that he was a cripple. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:09.000 Because it says he was placed at the gate. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:13.000 This is another thing signifying how rich this rich man is. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:15.000 He lives in a gated complex. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:17.000 Which is meant to keep the scavenger animals out. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:21.000 The dogs that are too busy harassing Lazarus. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:23.000 And to keep the poor people out. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:29.000 But it also shows even more how great the divide between the rich man and Lazarus is socially. 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:33.000 The poor man cannot come into the rich man's house. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:34.000 The complex. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:36.000 He has not been invited. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:38.000 He's at the gate. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:40.000 See, this is how they lived out their days. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:44.000 One in luxury and one in luxury and being self-sufficient. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:49.000 The other in utter wretchedness and dependent on the mercy of others. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:54.000 Both die as everyone who walks this earth is destined. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:56.000 And we come now to the next verses. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:59.000 Look with me at verses 22 and 23. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:06.000 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:09.000 The rich man also died and was buried. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:16.000 And Hades being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:23.000 Jesus continues in describing and contrasting the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:25.000 Lazarus is given no burial. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.000 In ancient times, this would signify that he is experiencing divine punishment. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:38.000 So, in society around him, it would just be doubling down on how much this guy deserved what was happening to him. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.000 But he's carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:47.000 In the Greek, it can be read as Abraham's bosom, which kind of sounds very odd. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:51.000 But the best way to describe this is that he's being carried away to heaven. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:57.000 He's being carried away to a place of great intimacy with the Father. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.000 Great honor. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.000 A place of paradisal bliss. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:04.000 Care that has been unknown to him through his lifetime. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:09.000 The rich man, in complete contrast, receives a burial. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:15.000 And because he was so rich and high in social status, it would have been a big affair. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:19.000 There would have been more feasting, more thinking about his life. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:22.000 There would have been people who were there to grieve him. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.000 And then he's buried. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:28.000 See, everyone would have expected him to receive favor and be in heaven. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:32.000 But he enters into Hades, a place of torment, hell. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:41.000 I read this recent CBC article that's quoting a Canadian press journalist, Ian Bickus. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:43.000 I think that's how you say his last name. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:51.000 And this article talked about how in the last year, the gap between the richest and the poorest Canadians has widened again. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:58.000 It goes on to describe how the upper earners are able to invest in better stocks that pay out better. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:01.000 And are able to land better paying jobs. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:06.000 While the lower earners can only invest in stocks or things that don't pay well. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:11.000 And then they can only land jobs that do not have good pays. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:16.000 So they suffer at the rising food costs and the housing and the inflation. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:23.000 It also talked about, it kind of hinted at it, that the upper earners have lobbied the government to make this way, 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:26.000 to benefit them, but not to benefit the lower earners. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:30.000 Now, if we come back to this story and we put this context on it, 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:36.000 most of us, if we are truly honest with ourselves, would be thinking the rich man got what he deserved. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.000 If he's been doing this. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:43.000 We might be wanting to sing that famous song a couple years ago of Oliver Anthony, 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:46.000 the rich man north of Richmond. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.000 Jesus is very wise here. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:52.000 Because he's critiquing his culture with a gripping story. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:55.000 One that would have been very gripping for people. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:10:00.000 And this, if we critique, we can use it to critique our own culture, our own hearts. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:03.000 Now we need to remember the context. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:08.000 Jesus is speaking directly against those who abuse places of power. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:10.000 Those who abuse their wealth. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:15.000 By all standards of his day, the rich man by all appearances should have went to heaven. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:23.000 And likewise, Lazarus, the poor man, who everyone would have assumed was clearly under divine punishment, should have went to hell. 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:26.000 But there's a complete opposite thing that happens. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:29.000 So we come now to the arrogance of the rich man. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:30.000 Look with me. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.000 What does Jesus do here? 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:33.000 He keeps on going in his parable. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:36.000 Because he really wants to get this point across. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:40.000 We now get a conversation between the rich man and Abraham. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:44.000 Abraham is considered the father of the people of Israel. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:49.000 He is the one that God called first into the promised land. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:52.000 He is the one God made covenant with. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:11:00.000 He is the one God instituted the covenant of circumcision, which marks the people of Israel as his own people. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:03.000 So we come to this conversation with this in mind. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:06.000 Look at verses 24 to 28. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:10.000 And he called out. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:11.000 This is the rich man. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:20.000 Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:23.000 For I am in anguish in this flame. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:25.000 But Abraham said, 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:31.000 Child, remember that in your lifetime, in your lifetime received your goodness. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:34.000 And Lazarus, in like manner, bad things. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:37.000 But now he is comforted here. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:39.000 And you are in anguish. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:45.000 And besides all this, between us and you, a great chasm has been fixed. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:49.000 In order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:53.000 And none may cross from there to us. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.000 And he said, 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:58.000 Then I beg you, Father, to send him to my father's house. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:05.000 For I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:09.000 Three things to notice in this section. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:13.000 The first thing to notice is that the rich man calls Abraham father. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:18.000 Even though he is in a place of torment, in the place of death, 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:20.000 He still calls him father. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:23.000 And assumes he is one of the true Israelites. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:26.000 The rich man still has a false notion of himself. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:30.000 He still views himself with a sense of self-importance. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.000 He thinks he has been circumcised. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.000 He is good. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.000 Even though he didn't follow God's commands at all. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:38.000 As we can see in this story. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:41.000 It is interesting though that Abraham still calls him child. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:46.000 Even though it is clearly marked out that he is not one of Abraham's true child. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:52.000 The second thing to notice is that the rich man gives commands to Lazarus to serve him. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:54.000 To be his messenger. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:58.000 The rich man is only thinking about himself and his standing. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:00.000 He knows Lazarus name. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:04.000 And yet he did nothing for him during his life on earth. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:06.000 And now he commands him to serve him. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:08.000 To go and be his messenger. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:11.000 Even though the rich man has become the beggar. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:14.000 He still asks for what he wants. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:19.000 Then the third thing to notice is that the rich man is not associated with Abraham in this. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:24.000 In verse 26 Abraham responds to this first request and says. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:26.000 And besides all this. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:29.000 Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:33.000 In order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.000 And none may from there to us. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.000 Notice the words between us and you. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:41.000 Those four words are terrifying. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:45.000 Abraham and Lazarus have been separated from the rich man. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.000 And there's this great divide between them. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:51.000 J.C. Ryle who is an old Anglican bishop from England. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:53.000 Is commenting on this. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:57.000 Is that hell is nothing more than truth known too late. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:59.000 Even after suffering. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:01.000 The rich man is not humbled by his state. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.000 And Jesus describes. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.000 And Jesus. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.000 And Jesus. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:08.000 Sorry my notes are wrong here. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.000 Jesus. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.000 Shows this. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.000 That by the separation of the gate. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.000 They are now separated by a great chasm. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.000 So in life. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:19.000 The poor man and the rich man are separated by a gate. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.000 And now. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.000 Jesus shows that the. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.000 Abraham and the poor man. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:26.000 Are separated by a great chasm. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:28.000 Between the rich man. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:30.000 Look what Abraham says in response. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:33.000 Verses 27 to 31. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:38.000 And he said. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:40.000 Then I beg you father. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.000 To send him to my. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.000 Father's house. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.000 For I have. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.000 Brothers. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.000 So they may warrant. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.000 So that he may warn them. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.000 Lest they also come into this place of torment. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.000 But Abraham said. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.000 They have Moses and the prophets. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.000 Let them hear them. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.000 And he said. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.000 No father Abraham. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.000 But if someone goes to them from the dead. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.000 They will repent. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.000 He said to him. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.000 If they do not hear. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.000 Moses and the prophets. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.000 Neither will they be convinced. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.000 If someone should rise from the dead. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:06.000 Here we see. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:09.000 That the rich man came to be where he is. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.000 And it's the same place. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.000 Where his brothers are destined to go. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:13.000 And he's. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:14.000 Abraham quotes. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.000 Moses and the prophets. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.000 What does he mean by that? 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.000 What he means. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.000 Is that the law. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.000 Moses gives the law. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.000 And the prophets. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.000 Give warning to the people of Israel. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.000 Later in the. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.000 In the Old Testament. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.000 In Deuteronomy 15. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.000 Verse 11. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.000 It says. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.000 For there will never cease to be. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.000 The poor in the land. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:32.000 Therefore. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.000 This is God talking. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.000 I command you. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.000 You shall open wide your heart. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.000 To your brother. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.000 To the needy. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.000 And to the poor. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.000 In your land. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:41.000 And in Jeremiah 9. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.000 Verses 23 to 24. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.000 It says this. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.000 Thus says the Lord. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:16:15.000 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:16.000 To them. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.000 To them. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.000 In any way they can. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.000 If they neglect this. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.000 It shows that they are not God's people. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.000 In verse 31. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.000 It's very interesting. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.000 It says. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.000 If they do not hear. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.000 Neither. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.000 Will they be convinced. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:29.000 If someone should rise from the dead. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.000 It's like. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:32.000 You always get these stories. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:33.000 Every couple of years. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.000 In the news. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.000 Of someone who has died. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.000 And then it's come back from the. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.000 From back. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.000 From basically being clinically. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.000 Declared dead. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.000 And they say. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.000 They've seen some things. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.000 In the afterlife. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.000 And then they write a book. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.000 About it. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.000 The news covers them. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.000 But then no one. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.000 Heeds the words. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.000 And they are forgotten. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.000 Here. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.000 Jesus is speaking directly. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.000 To the Pharisees. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.000 And how. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.000 They don't listen. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.000 To the words. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.000 Of Moses. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.000 And the prophets. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.000 And they won't listen. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.000 Even when he rises. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.000 From the dead. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.000 Jesus ends. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:03.000 The parable here. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.000 There's no happy ending. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.000 For the rich man. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:07.000 It's not the Christmas carol. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.000 Where there's the happy ending. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.000 For Scrooge. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:11.000 The rich man. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.000 Is destined. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.000 To eternal torment. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.000 And Lazarus. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.000 To eternal paradise. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:17.000 But you might be thinking. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.000 Well this has been. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.000 A very good commentary. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.000 On this text. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.000 What does this have to do. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.000 With me? 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.000 What does this story. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:24.000 That Jesus said. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.000 So long ago. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.000 Have to do. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.000 With my state. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.000 Of where I am right now. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.000 I am nowhere near rich. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.000 I have no money. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.000 If you look at my bank account. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.000 I have no money. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:35.000 You might be thinking this. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.000 The thing to notice. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.000 About this text. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.000 Is that. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.000 The rich man. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:44.000 Is never given a name. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.000 In this text. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:48.000 This is very intentional. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:50.000 There's an obvious. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.000 Surface meaning. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.000 To this story. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.000 That Jesus is getting at. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.000 And that's. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.000 Don't become. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.000 Consumed by money. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.000 And take care of the poor. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.000 But there's also. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:01.000 A secondary level to it. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.000 See. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.000 We may not have any money. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.000 We may not have any money. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:06.000 But we have things. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.000 That make us. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.000 Feel rich. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.000 Instead of money. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.000 Insert blank. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:12.000 It could be. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.000 Fitness. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.000 It could be. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.000 Your job. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.000 It could be. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.000 Your family. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.000 It's all these things. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.000 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.000 Have to think about. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.000 And insert. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.000 The blank. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.000 What makes us. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.000 Feel rich. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.000 Because there's things. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.000 We hold on to. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.000 That we hold on to. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.000 Because they make us. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.000 Feel rich. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.000 They make us. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.000 Feel secure. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.000 Feel powerful. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.000 See. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.000 Jesus left. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.000 The rich man. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.000 Name. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.000 Nameless. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.000 Because we are all. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.000 The rich man. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.000 In this story. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.000 There's something. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.000 That makes you feel rich. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.000 That you feast on. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.000 Sumptuously. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.000 And blinds you from God. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:47.000 It blinds you from things. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.000 Jesus named the poor man. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:51.000 So no one can put their name on him. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:53.000 He has a name. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.000 But here's the thing. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:56.000 This is what makes the gospel. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.000 So profound. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:59.000 That when we read the gospel. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.000 Counts. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.000 And then when we come to the end. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.000 Of the gospels. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.000 And we see. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.000 The work of the cross. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.000 This is what makes the gospel. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.000 So profound. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.000 Paul. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.000 The apostle Paul. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.000 In 2nd Corinthians. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.000 In chapter 8. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.000 9. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.000 Says this. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.000 For you know. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.000 The grace of our Lord. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.000 Jesus Christ. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:18.000 That though he was rich. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:20.000 Yet for your sake. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.000 He became poor. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:23.000 So that by his poverty. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:25.000 You might become rich. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.000 Paul. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.000 Speaking. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.000 Speaking. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.000 About Jesus. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.000 In Philippians. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.000 Chapter 3. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.000 6. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.000 Verses 6 to 8. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.000 Says this. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.000 Who. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:38.000 Though he is in the form of God. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:40.000 Did not count equality with God. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.000 A thing to be grasped. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.000 But emptied himself. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:45.000 By taking the form of a servant. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:47.000 Being born in the likeness of men. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:49.000 And being found in human form. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.000 Humbled himself. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:52.000 By becoming obedient to the point of death. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.000 Even death on the cross. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:57.000 Through Jesus making himself the poor man. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:59.000 The one considered unclean. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:01.000 Rejected by society. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:03.000 Abused and murdered. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:06.000 Took on our divine punishment through the cross. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:08.000 So we can be eternally rich. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.000 Truly rich. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:11.000 Not the things that we hold on to. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.000 The insert in that blank. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.000 But the thing. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:16.000 About being eternally rich. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:19.000 Is that it is in a place where rust will never get to it. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:21.000 Where moth will never get to it. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.000 Where moth will never get to it. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.000 It's the hope. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.000 Of that. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.000 Of the cross. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.000 The hope of Jesus' return. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.000 The hope. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:29.000 Of the marriage supper. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.000 Of the lamb. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.000 See only through the gospel. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:34.000 True justice happens. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:36.000 The care for the poor happens. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:38.000 Only through the gospel. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:41.000 Where the poor be considered with no ulterior motives. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.000 Only through the gospel. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.000 Where our neighbors notice Christ. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.000 Working through us. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:48.000 As we follow Christ. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:49.000 Only through the gospel. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:52.000 Where we feast on Christ's finished work. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:55.000 Instead of our own self-sufficient riches. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:58.000 This is the story that Jesus is saying here. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:01.000 Is as he describes this rich man. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:04.000 As he describes Lazarus the poor man. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:07.000 Is that we need to see ourselves in the place of the rich man. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.000 We may not have money as I said. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:12.000 But there's things that make us feel rich. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:15.000 There's things that we need to lay down at the cross. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:21.000 And ask Jesus to apply the gospel deeply into our lives. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:24.000 This parable also shows us death is final. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.000 Judgment is final. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:27.000 And those who live their lives through the gospel. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:30.000 Heeding God's word will immediately be of Christ. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:36.000 And those who don't will end up as the rich man is in the story. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.000 See we're all the rich man. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.000 But we are rich in. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.000 Are we rich in Christ? 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:44.000 Or are we rich in our own material lives? 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.000 This story. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:47.000 This parable. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:49.000 That's so profound. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.000 Because there's nothing like it in the Bible. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:53.000 This is the only one. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:55.000 We need to heed it. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.000 We need to reflect on it. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:00.000 And it's something that critiques Jesus' culture. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:02.000 And it's something that critiques our own culture. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:04.000 That critiques our own lives. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:07.000 Friends, let's heed the words of Christ. 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:09.000 Let's apply the gospel to our life. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:11.000 And if you are here and you do not know Christ, 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:15.000 now is the time to reflect on the gospel. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:21.000 To see Christ's glorious, God's love for you and for me. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:24.000 And to ask Jesus into your life. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.000