The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) may not be a parable, but an actual piece of history. Jesus tells it in a style quite different from parables, and its meaning is so very bluntly clear: rich people can go to Hell, even while obeying all the Pharisaical requirements.
Dimas (the nickname scholars like to give the Rich Man) bore all the earmarks of God's favor, by the Pharisees' doctrine. He dressed in the best and wiped his hands on pita bread at mealtime. The servants would dump this used pita near the gate, where Lazarus could fight the dogs for a bite. He was so weak that he couldn't keep those dogs from licking his open sores, which was more close contact from a dog than any Jew could normally tolerate. That the situation was reversed in Eternity would have rattled the Pharisees. Jesus' final comment, in the mouth of Father Abraham, was:
"'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" (verse 31)
God works through His Word. If that's not good enough to clarify His demands to people, then they weren't interested to begin with. Miracles weren't going to help. It's quite possible Jesus is here rubbing salt into the wounded reputation of the Pharisees by using the name Lazarus, the name of a man whom He had very publicly raised from the dead. That act had not changed their tune one bit -- they still rejected the message of Jesus. Further, they were trying hard to prevent anyone else from accepting it.
Thus, Jesus turned to His disciples and warned them about hindering the fragile faith of fresh converts (17:1-2). It could not be avoided that things would happen to shake them dangerously, but one who did it purposely deserved a fierce condemnation from Jesus. He didn't suggest a household millstone, with which a strong man might be able to swim briefly, but the large ones pulled by donkeys. So great was the sin in Jesus' eyes that He ordered them to put up with the most exasperating behavior from one who was still trying to get it right (verses 3-4).
For this, the Twelve knew they needed a lot more faith than they felt they could call on right then. In the context, their word "faith" implies a sort of surrender and commitment that empowered one to act with absolute constancy. To respond good-naturedly to such weakness in others would be very costly, requiring a great store of self-denial that seemed more than even the best could possess. Notice, though, Jesus added the condition that the offender actually repent. The trial for the disciple was honoring the righteous desire in the hearts of those unable to carry out their own wishes to do right.
Jesus replied that they probably already had sufficient faith for the exercise, if they would just use it --
"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." (verse 6)
Surely they had enough to outweigh a mustard seed! Of course, far too many have taken this aphorism so literally that they have tried yelling at trees that were unfortunately placed. Context is everything.
Then Jesus addresses the real issue: don't expect to approach perfection in this life. God willingly uses us as we are, even with just a small dab of faith. It's not the amount of faith, nor necessarily the quality of it. It's just a matter of using what's there. We don't need great strength, or power; we need humility. Putting up with the failures of others isn't so challenging when you consider what God puts up with from us.
"And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'?" (verses 7-8)
What is normal for the life of a servant amounts to an awful lot of work. Plowing with oxen was a whole lot of work, because they cannot be driven with any great finesse. Tending sheep was not quite a peaceful job, either; it was constantly chasing after strays at the least. So after a good 10-12 hours of this, the same servant might be expected to serve at the table. That's what servants were for, and what they expected. While their personal needs did get attention, their comfort didn't count for much.
Jesus was saying that we are servants of God. That's the best life anyone could hope to see, to be accepted as one of God's slaves. Consider what our sins have done, and what we deserve. So we have upon us a monumental burden of responsibility to God. He owns us; we are not our own. How fortunate we are to be so!
"Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise, when you have done all those things which you are commanded say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done only what was our duty to do.'" (verses 9-10)
No matter how thoroughly we give of ourselves in service, we cannot possibly repay what we owe Him. If we should manage to fully obey in every respect -- as Jesus had done -- we are nothing special. Holiness remains forever a standard, not a destination. While it remains possible for earthly servants to push themselves so hard as to impress their earthly masters, that option doesn't exist for servants of God.
Perhaps there was a time when holiness was a harsh rod in the hands of Church leaders. We have seen plenty of emotional thrashing and other forms of abuse in fringe groups today. The mainline churches have long forgotten this message, though. In our attempt to be modern, we have pressed all too hard for making folks comfortable with their God, to the point they remain spiritual children.
Jesus did say in verse 3, "If your brother sins against you, rebuke him." Let him know what sin is. Then, if he seems to grasp it, and declares a readiness to leave his sin, we place it under the Blood. If he fails in his efforts to claim the truth of holiness in his life, but hasn't forgotten what it means to be holy, we are to rebuke and forgive, again and again. All that he takes from us in the process, including the emotional cost, is already bought and paid for -- it belongs to God. We are in His debt, so we charge such sins to His account.
It is not the counsel of despair saying, "You can't please God." It is the counsel of prodding that you can't do enough; you owe Him your whole self. And when you are weak, and can't go on, one of His other servants will be there to forgive and show you His love.
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Ed Hurst
23 November 2002
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:People of honor need no copyright laws; they are only too happy to give credit where credit is due. Others will ignore copyright laws whenever they please. If you are of the latter, please note what Moses said about dishonorable behavior -- "be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).