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This week we conclude our study of Luke Chapter 16. Please read verses 19-31 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 16:22-23 (NLT)
‘Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead.’
Over the years, I’ve attended quite a few funerals. Some of them have been for close family members and each one has its own memorable aspects. On occasion, the burial has been a low key event with just a few people in attendance. During my lifetime, there have also been some very high profile funerals for famous people. My mind goes back to the funeral of Princess Diana and I vividly recall the incredible amount of flowers that were being thrown at the funeral procession as the two young princes made their way to the church.
In each funeral I’ve attended, there is a sense of loss and various levels of grief demonstrated by the family and friends. Likewise, in our few verses today, we see two very different responses to the death of the people involved.
Note firstly, that the word Jesus uses to begin these verses is ‘Finally’. I’m aware that the word used in other translations is simply ‘but’ or ‘now’, however, I think there is something to be said in regard to how some people consider their lives to be something to ‘endured’. This poor man had a tough, tough life and I’m sure that some people would have said ‘finally’ when he breathed his last. I’ve already mentioned in previous devotions that I firmly believe that each and every moment of our lives is in God’s hands and the span of that life is under His complete control. We do not die premature deaths nor do we die ‘before our time’.
Lazarus, in our story lived precisely as long as God gave him breath. No more and no less. Despite the dreadful condition of his life, it’s wonderful to see what happens when his life ceased: ‘Carried by the angels’. What an amazing thought that is. I can imagine that the angels are on standby waiting to do God’s bidding so that they can swoop down and pick up this dear, dear child of God. His pain is now over and he can begin a new life free from all the cares of this world. I appreciate that it’s incredibly difficult for us to understand why this man had to put up with so much, but as we heard recently from Allen, we have to trust God to answer the ‘Why’ question. His plans are perfect and I am confident that Jesus knows what He’s talking about. Also, when He says something, I’m simple enough to believe it!
Next we read that the rich man also died and was buried. I don’t know if you picked up on this, but note that Jesus didn’t mention Lazarus’ burial. Perhaps the poor man didn’t have a burial. We are drawn however to the burial of the rich man. It could be that this would have been a huge event and that all the influential people were in attendance.
We’ll look a little more about where the rich man went after his death, but for today, I’ll leave you with this final thought. While there is a little said about the resting place of the body, Jesus tells us that is more important to know what happens to our soul. When I die, I’m hoping that there will be some people in my funeral who will say nice things about me. My greatest desire though is that there will be angels in attendance! It’s going to be amazing to be carried by the angels into the very presence of Almighty God!
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