Like a Rock

“And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’

And he said, ‘No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”(Luke 16:27-31 ESV).

If you are unfamiliar with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, it is a parable about wealth in the world and wealth in heaven and how they do not intertwine. In this parable, Jesus also brings forth the truth that some will never be believers regardless of the signs that may be placed before them.

The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers so that they may be spared eternity in Sheol or Hell. Abraham basically says, “Hey, they have Moses and the prophets, and they haven’t listened.” They are deaf and blind, so if Lazarus appears from the dead, they will not believe that either.

Shades of today. If there was ever a time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is now. So many are being led the way of the enemy; it is frightening. Persecution of Christians is on the rise. In a case in Norway, two Christian missionaries were arrested and found guilty of spreading the Gospel at an Oslo parade. In Great Britain, Politician King Lawal was suspended from the Conservative party for expressing non-LGBTQ views and calling for those involved in this sin to repent and turn to Jesus. My friends, we must spread the Gospel. Only Jesus can save.

Please don’t think I am trying to scare anybody, nor am I saying the world will end tomorrow. However, look around you and see the state of the world; Jesus, please help us. God approved, and Satan tested Job; God approved, and Satan sifted Peter like wheat; stand firm in your faith. God prayed for Job and for Peter, and He prays for you. Know that God is always with you and that if you are ever called into question because of your beliefs, do not fear; the Spirit will give you the words. This we know from Jesus himself.

I ask that we all pray together,

Merciful Father,

It is in You that we trust; in You, we have hope, and we are protected. I pray for our friends, and I pray for those who do not yet know you. Lord, send the Spirit that we may all be given the courage and opportunity to spread your Gospel. Please help us remain righteous in Your service and lift you up for all to see through our beliefs and behaviors. Let us all be mirrors reflecting Your goodness in a secular world—a light to draw those in darkness.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.