March 1931
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What description of his anguish is giveh? V. 25. How did Abraham address him? What was he told to remember? Will it be a fearful thing for the lost to be able to remember, throughout eternity, their individual sins and their rejection of the mercy of God? What had Dives received when on earth ? Why did Abraham say, “thy good things” ? Why did not Abra ham, speaking of the experience of Laz arus, use the words: “his evil things” ? Was Dives condemned because he had had riches, or because he had used his riches wholly for his own gratification? Was Lazarus “comforted” because he had been poor, or because he had trusted in God ? Was Dives told that his request was un reasonable? V. 26. Why was it impossible for Dives’ request to be granted? What does this teach about the fixing of destinies While on earth? Would any lost sinner with hatred toward God ever want to get out of the torment of hell into the bliss of heaven, if it were possible? V. ,27. Did Dives accept his fate? What further request did he make? V. 28. To whom did Dives want Laz arus to be sent? For what purpose did he wish him sent? V. 29. What did Abraham answer? Did the Pharisees honor Moses and the prophets'? Had they perverted the mean ing of1their own'Scriptures? Did Jesus mean to infer that the Old Testament Scriptures gave them sufficient warning to enable them to be saved? Do these Scrip tures testify of Jesus Christ the Saviour (cf. John 5:39, 40) ? Were the Pharisees willing to accept Christ? Vs. 30, 31. What answer did Dives make? Did this answer imply that he blamed God for not giving to him and to his brethren sufficient warning? Did he really believe that his brethren would fe- pent if Lazarus should arise from the dead and go to them? Were the Pharisees ever convinced that Jesus was the Mes siah, by reason of His miracles? What was their attitude toward Him after Laz arus of Bethany was raised from the dead (John 11:45, 46, 53) ? Have signs and wonders ever persuaded any one, against his will, to turn from sin unto Christ for salvation? , * * * P ractical P oints 1. There have been many efforts to tone down or to explain away the lessons concerning the future life, which Jesus gives in this passage of scripture. Some critics make much1of the fact that there is figurative language here. True, “Abra ham’s bosom” is a figure; and so is the “great gulf.” Further, we do not con tend that Souls absent from the body have tongues that are parched. But how else than through figures.could the -Lord; Je sus speak of conditions in the unseen world of which we have no experience ? Another common objection is that Jesus accommodated Himself to the supersti tions of the Jews to whom He spoke. This would convict Him of deception, a charge which cannot be allowed. It is admitted that the story is built upon beliefs con cerning the future state, which the Phari sees held. The context should be noted. In the parable of the unjust steward (16:1-13), the Lord Jesus instructed the disciples-
concerning the right use of money. The steward was not commended because he was dishonest, but because he was shrewd, making provision for the future. Mak ing application, Jesus said to the disciples: “Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles” (v. 9). The covetous Pharisees derided Him, for they believed that it was possible to serve God and mammon. Jesus answered their sneers and mocking with the story of Dives and Lazarus, which described a rich Jew who served God and mammon in proper Phar isaic fashion and neglected to make friends by means of the mammon of un righteousness. As a result, he found no one to welcome him in “the eternal tab ernacles.” ' 2. There is positive evidence in this lesson that in the intermediate state after death the soul is conscious. The wicked suffer “torments,” and the righteous are “comforted.” This is not a description of the final state after the resurrection- of the body. 3. The lesson gives no ground for hope that there will be opportunity for repent ance after death, or of final restoration. There is no more uncertainty about Dives being forever lost than there is about those who are “at home with th^ Lord” being forever safe. 4. There is no ground here for ex pectation that the wicked dead are ever annihilated. 5. This lesson does not teach that a sinner can purchase heaven by good works. He must be saved by ‘faith, but he is “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10; cf. John 5 :28, 29). 6. If there is. no pity for the poor; it is proof that there is no love of God in the heart (1 John 3:17). 7. The story of the prodigal shows how one may lose friends when riches are gone. On the other hand, Lazarus, the beggar who trusted in God, tells us how we may, although poor and needy,, find eternal friends. 8. After the resurrection of Christ, the believer’s position in the future life is described as being “absent from the body” and “at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5: 8; cf. Phil. 1:21-23; Acts 7 :55-59).-This is an advance upon the description of the privilege of believers as illustrated in the position of Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. * * * G olden T ext I llustration : Some things cost more- than they are worth. Mercury had given to Phrixus a ram with a golden fleece that he might
escape on it from the dangers that threat ened him in his own country. He came to Colchis and there sacrificed the ram to Jupiter and made a gift of its fleece to Acetus, the king. But to keep this gift, Acetus was at tremendous pains, for it was greatly coveted and must be guarded night and day by a faithful dragon. And when, finally, Jason secured it, in his effort to retake it, the king lost his son and heir as well as his daughter, Medea, who fled with Jason. It is true that many of the earthly treas ures that come as gifts cost us more than they are worth. He was a wise pastor who arose in his pulpit one morning and asked the prayers of the congregation for a young man who had just fallen heir to a large fortune. There are many men who, to guard and nourish the business which they have developed, are required to give more and more of that life which is of far greater value than, their business. Then the duties and pleasures of the home, the companionship of books, and the association of choice friends are giv en up. Some men have even given their souls in order to guard earthly treasures. Jesus said:. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal.” * * sfc Jesus Teaches Sharing Luke 16:19-26 Memory Verse. —“Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me” (Matt. 25: 40). Approach. —-Sometime ago, we had the story about the good Samaritan, and you he had. Jesus saw how selfish the people were, so He had to tell many stories about sharing with others. Today’s les son is another one of these stories.- Lesson Story .-—Once there was a very rich man who lived in a big house and dressed in beautiful clothes. He had many rich friends who came to eat with him. At the foot of his steps lay a poor . beggar. He had no clothes but rags, no food but the crumbs that people, gave to him. He was sick, but only the dogs came and licked his sores. Each day he begged the rich man for food, and he asked only for the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s .table. But the rich man was selfish; he didn’t wish to share what he had with the people who needed help. Read Luke 16:22-31. When God gives Us good things, He expects us to share them with others. We can share our food and clothes, our toys and books. We can share by helping others when they need help. We can share the greatest thing of all-—the- good news which Jesus Christ- came- to tell. -.1 •’.¡I L • O ' v . s i o * ' remember that Jesus said that a good neighbor is one who gives help to the person who needs it. You remember, too, the story about the selfish farmer’ who thought only about bu ild in g b igg er barns and enjoying, by himself, all the good things which
A Quest ¡or Rest Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, and I will rest you; Lean, like John, upon 'My' breast ; - Take the place My love has offered; You will find a perfect rest. There the conflict will be silenced; There my peace will end your quest. •»A’-tiL. M. Warner,
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