If Someone Rises from the Dead

April 26

Joshua 15-16

Psalm 51:1-5

Proverbs 12:6-7

Luke 16:14-31

If Someone Rises From the Dead

“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  But he said, ‘No father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’  But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”  Luke 16:29-31 LSB

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a terrifying passage.  It accentuates the finality of death.  I have been to way too many funerals lately.  Whenever I hear about a death, my first thought is always whether or not the person was a believer.  Of course, we cannot definitively answer that question for anyone.  We do not know about the relationship between Jesus and anyone except ourselves.  There are those who would argue that no one knows until they get to heaven whether or not they are “good” with God and will make it.  That is not Biblical.  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus you know it.  The Holy Spirit is living in you.  There should be no doubt that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.  If you are not sure, you need to settle that now. Confess that you are a sinner and you need Jesus to save you.  Ask Him to be the Lord of your life.  You do not have to live in fear or doubt. John 10:28-29 gives us assurance, “and I give eternal life to them and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  Ephesians 1:13-14 gives further confidence, “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  If you have believed in Jesus and have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, you can rest in the security of your salvation.  You are a child of God.  You did nothing to earn your salvation and you can do nothing to lose it. 

            Unfortunately, this parable emphasizes that death is final.  The idea of a purgatory where people get one last chance to accept Jesus is not in Scripture.  God is patient and merciful and He gives us numerous chances throughout our lives to hear the truth about Jesus and accept it.  We are also told in Scripture that for those who have never heard about Jesus, they know in their hearts that there is a God.  They have the opportunity to believe.  God knows our hearts and He knows if we believe in Him or not.  He is righteous and just and I trust that He is able to discern the intentions of every heart.  Everyone who has ever lived has the opportunity to believe.  But once they take their last breath, their fate is sealed.  This parable should fill each of us with an urgency to tell everyone we know about Jesus.  We have no idea what tomorrow holds.  Car accidents, heart attacks, natural disasters, and any number of crises can happen without warning.  Today is the day of salvation.  (2 Corinthians 6:2)  Be bold!  Use every opportunity God gives you to tell people about Him.  You never know when it is your last chance!