Listen to Moses and the Prophets

Luke 16:19-31^[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, October 30^th, 2011

In this continuing conversation that began in Luke 15:1, Jesus continues on the subject of man and his use of wealth; but He threads the more significant thing into this parable we're examining together today – the true riches. He had called money the "very little", and "unrighteous wealth" earlier chapter 16; this was compared to the "much", and "true riches".  At the end of His talk here He brings up, in a unique way, the true riches. Let's read the text, from Luke 16:19-31.

19 "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,

23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'

27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house--

28 for I have five brothers--so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'

29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'

30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'

31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Our wise Lord lets Abraham summarize for his audience and for us what we should learn from this parable (I believe it is such): Listen to Moses and the Prophets; they tell us of the Christ.

Jesus was again, through this story, rebuking these religious, hard-hearted people about their idolatry. Based on context of 16:14-18, it seems that this story was aimed at Pharisees and Scribes. The characters in the parable were the un-named rich man, Lazarus, Abraham, and the five brothers of the man in purple. I believe the rich man represented the wealthy and powerful Scribes and Pharisees; and the poor man represented all those they might have neglected in their self-righteous arrogance. If you think I'm overly hard on these guys, just read through John. They hated Jesus. We've heard the story, now let's consider some things these two main people have in common, and some contrasts in their situations.

Things in common:

Both were born and lived on this earth, and died.  Both were Jews. Both lived in the same town. Both went to the eternal destiny their earthly relationship to God and man dictated.

Things in contrast:

One was clothed well; one had insufficient clothing.

One was buried; one was not buried.

One was comfortably bathed regularly; one was licked by dogs.

One was sick and diseased: the other was healthy.

One received good things on earth; the other received bad things on earth.

One believed Moses and the Prophets and went to eternal comfort heaven; the other did not believe and went to eternal torment in hell.

One thought miracles would help save people; the other believed God's Word ('No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent'). When the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't save a man or woman, the gospel plus a miracle won't save them either. It's useless. Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

One was significant for a time here; the other was significant forever in heaven (we know his name).

So if Jesus aimed this parable at these self-righteous, religious but lost men, what did He want them to hear?

You are poor stewards of unrighteous money; you'll never manage true riches.

You think because you're Jews, and you're religious, that you won't see God's wrath.

You know of God's Word, but you don't believe and follow God's Word.

This is the key here, I believe. Moses and the Prophets refers to the Old Testament. Genesis 12, Deut 18, Ps 22-24, Isaiah 7, 9, - all look ahead to Jesus. When the OT isn't prophesying Christ is it foreshadowing or giving types of Him. Moses, Aaron, David, (Prophet, priest, and king) all painted that picture of Christ. So did all the sacrifices. Faith is key; believe God's Word! I can't help but think of the question the Saducees asked Jesus once, and the answer he gave them. Matt 22:29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."

Church, let us hold this fast; If God doesn't save through His Word by His Spirit's work in man, miracles won't save the day.

I think it is fair, in light of this story, to consider again today…

1.     Do our budgets reflect eternal priorities, and not just temporal, earthly priorities? What do you do with your earthly wealth?

What mercy do you have for the needy? Prov 14:21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

2.     Let us pray that God humbles our hearts to care for and help, as we can, those in need.

3.     Are you soundly confident that God works, by His Holy Sprit through His Word, in the lives of the lost? If he doesn't, the walking, talking dead won't work either! Miracles aren't as powerful as God's Word to save! God's uses us to communicate the truth, but the power is His to work through it.

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.