April 28, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
This passage of scripture is a powerful account of two men who died and faced eternity. One died and went to Abraham’s bosom (which is now heaven) and the other died and went to hell. This passage is not a parable but a true story told by the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have already spoken about the reality of hell and the transition of Abraham’s bosom to heaven. Today we will concentrate on verses 27-31.
The rich man, upon realizing his sentence was forever, (We know there is no escaping hell. Once you die your destiny is set. That is why you need to trust in Christ before it’s too late.) calls out to have someone sent to his five brothers so they can hear the truth of lest they join him in hell.
Notice the response, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”
My friend, Moses and the prophets is the word of God. They have the word of God let them hear them. Salvation is learned via the word of God. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. If one does not believe the word of God they are destined to join the rich man.
The rich man appeals for someone, a real person like Lazarus, someone from the dead, to go and tell them.
“And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.”
Again, notice the response. “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
If they don’t hear the Word of God they will not listen even “though one rose from the dead.” (Jesus rose from the dead.)
My friend, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ earlier this month. Jesus did rise from the dead and he remained on earth for 40 days preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God.
We also have the Word of God the Bible, yet, how many truly listen and truly believe?
The answer was correct, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Will you be persuaded?
1Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,…
Christian, are you going and telling, communicating, and sharing the word of God?
The choice is till yours,
Pastor Cook
