Nothing Else But Jesus

Commentary

There is debate on whether this is a parable or that Jesus is speaking of real people, given that there are names involved. I personally believe this could be a real account. But regardless, there is much to be learned here.

This rich man lived an excellent life. Like many of the unrighteous today, it can seem as if life is so good for them, yet you may suffer greatly with trial after trial and temptation after temptation as a follower of Christ. Money is no preventer of challenging times; however, it can help someone obtain the best medical care, live in the safest areas, and live a physically less demanding life.

Money in and of itself is not evil, but how you treat it can be. Jesus tells us that this rich man left Lazarus (not the same guy raised from the dead) at his gate to suffer. He had more than enough, and it would not have burdened him to help Lazarus out, yet he did not. This is a telltale sign of a wicked heart. A heart that is for Jesus would not do such a thing, especially day after day.

Commentary

You notice that the poor man was carried off into eternity by angels? Understand, he was not escorted in such a way because he was poor, but because he was also poor in spirit, a man who loved God.

Due to Christ's then future atoning work, I believe that he went immediately to be with God. It's understood that there is a place for those who God has saved (Abraham’s side or Heaven) and there is a place of torment for those who reject Jesus, which is called Hades in the Greek, what we often call Hell in English. Eventually, those in Hades will end up what is truly Hell, what the Bible calls the Lake of Fire.

Prior, I alluded that the rich man was not a believer, because of his behavior toward Lazarus; this passage only confirms that by where he ended up after death. Eternity for the unbeliever is not a rock concert or 24-7 party, like some say. It's a real place of pure and deserved torment. It's the wages you earn when you don't have Jesus.

Commentary

This passage leaves no doubt that Hades and Hell are not a restful, eternal existence. You notice how the rich man doesn't ask to be taken out of Hades, but asks for Abraham to send Lazarus with some water. I think we can understand this to mean that those who end up in eternal punishment will fully understand why they are there: they rejected the Savior, Jesus.

There will not be an escape or parole from Hades/Hell, nor a way for us in Heaven to visit our Christ-rejecting loved ones. Once we die, our judgment is final.

This rich man had such a wonderful earthly life when compared to Lazarus, but that was his reward. That's it. He chose the world over Jesus, and his reward lasted as long as his body lived. For the believer in Christ, we may suffer now, but what awaits is an eternity of reward for our enduring faith.

Commentary

The rich man understood perfectly clearly why he was in Hades and how a person could avoid it — Jesus. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus back to Earth to warn his family. But it's not the signs, the miracles, the physical displays that tell us how to find salvation, it's God's Word.

Man overcomplicates the Gospel, no doubt by the eager hand of Satan. But God has given us a clear picture of a fallen, sinful mankind, who is unable to redeem themselves so He has sent His Son to be our Redeemer and all we must do is trust in Jesus for redemption. It's simply summed up, repent and believe.

Sadly many "Christian" groups have muddied the message, adding works and other things to salvation. Not to mention all the world religions that have dangled carrots in front of the masses. But if a person would only focus on the Bible and what God says, the way to eternal life is crystal clear.

Commentary

Jesus was already foretold throughout the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament. As Scripture teaches, everyone is without excuse because God has revealed Himself to us through all that He has made, including His Bible. If a person is going to ignore the Bible and tune out those who try and share the Gospel, a departed spirit is certainly not going to convince them to accept Jesus either. The Bible is all about Jesus.

In fact, there is nothing that will turn anyone to Jesus apart from God's Word. Only He has the power to change hearts. He uses us to deliver that message, but it's not our words that bring repentance.

This world is filled with many things, many "ways", many lifestyles, but in the end there is nothing else but Jesus.