Thursday, September 26, 2013
Luke 16:22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried ...
THE IMPOSSIBLE PLAN
With the description of the rich man Jesus wishes us to consider the very best that man can do, his most successful achievements. This is the same as what Paul means by the "flesh" in his discussion of Ishmael and Isaac in Galatians four. Ishmael is born according to the flesh, that is to say, he is born by Abraham's thinking. He is the product of man's endeavor and man's plans. But man's plan not only fails, in this case it causes unending difficulties.
With the description of Lazarus, Jesus wishes us to consider the true nature of man, incapable of anything, totally wretched and completely dependent on others -- even for our daily bread. This is the same concept that Paul speaks of when he talks about the promise in Galatians four. Isaac was born by promise, which is the promise of God. That is to say he was born through a plan that could not be conceived of by man, but one that was promised by God. The promise defies man's every notion about how things ought to be done, but God brings it to pass.
So also in the parable, the plan of man comes to nothing. But the plan of God which defies man's every sense prevails. "In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will'" (Luke 10:21). Why does Jesus thank the Father that it is revealed to babes? And why did Lazarus go to heaven? Not because he was poor, but because he was a beggar -- a beggar before God with nothing in his hands to bring. And to him the mercy of the Father says, "Yes, I will do by my promise what you can never do." And all because (Galatians four again) "when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
