Subject: Life is Tough, a difficult Assignment
Text: Luke 16:20-22
“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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;”
Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
Introduction: During Jesus’ day, the Pharisees considered wealth and ease as proof of righteousness and God’s favor. Jesus startled them with this story in which as diseased beggar is rewarded and rich man is punished. The rich man did not end up in hell because of his wealth, but because of his selfishness and to understand the reason for his wealth and privileges. The amount of money we have is not nearly as important as how we choose to use it. In Psalms 139, David give us insight concern human existence.
Ps 139:13 -14 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. (14) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
God created and knows the most inward and hidden part of the body, he understand the seat of men's lusts and passions and he determines the color of their skin, their station in life, whether a man is born rich or poor, sick or healthy. David concludes that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Jesus does tell us how the rich man got his riches or how Lazarus ended up sick and poor. Yet both are fearfully and wonderfully made. I could talk more about the rich man, but this message centers on Lazarus. At a time when there were no hospitals, social service organizations, and no public assistance, being poor and sick was an incredible burden. Even the name Lazarus means afflicted, without help or hope, a man destitute of help, a needy, poor man. The rich man name is not mention because of his wealth, everybody probably knew his name. Yet Lazarus’s name is mentioned because He was important to God, his character was outstanding, his nature was good, and his glorious end. It is the purpose of God that the righteous should be highly esteemed and their memory be held in everlasting remembrance. We did not choose the days of our lives.
Lazarus’s position in life was a part of his assignment: He was carried and laid at the rich man’s gate. Lazarus was placed in the best position in order that he might obtain aid for himself and provide the best opportunity for the rich man to have a change of heart and be generous. This story really shows how connected we are. In our society, there is a attempt to separate the down and out from the in crowd. We are truly connected and what happens to one, effects the other. Lazarus’s position was determined by God.
Lazarus’s condition in life was a part of his assignment: Lazarus was clothed with sores; covered with ulcers; afflicted not only with poverty, but with loathsome and offensive ulcers accompanied his poverty and want. These circumstances are designed to show how different was his condition from that of the rich man. The rich man was clothed in purple; the poor man was covered with sores; The rich man fared sumptuously; the poor man was hungry and waited for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. God can equip us to go any situation and still allow us to fulfill our destiny. God created each of us, giving both our position and condition in life. God knows our frame and he knows how much we can bear. None of the things we go through can stop us from fulfilling our purpose. Lazarus’s position and condition were determined by God.
Lazarus’s comfort in Life was a part of his assignment: The dogs came and licked his sores! His miserable condition was so great, that even the dogs, were moved with sympathy, came and licked his sores in kindness to him. These circumstances of his misery are very touching, and his condition, contrasted with that of the rich man, is very striking. I wonder, why God allowed Lazarus to suffer so much?
There are not indications that the rich man was unkind to him, or drove him away, or refused to aid him. The narrative is designed simply to show that the possession of wealth, and all the blessings of this life comes with a responsibility. All of us will one day give an account to God. Wealth does not exempt one from death and misery. And the lowest condition of one does not exclude them from life and happiness beyond the grave.
The message of gospel has been the reason for many public charities, and reason for so many hospitals and schools. The poor will be with always as be with us as well as the sick and afflicted. Many pagan nations invest few resources in hospitals and mission houses for the needy, the aged, the blind, and the insane. Other nations provide little assistance for the elderly and poor, leaving them to the misery of public begging, and leaving their sick to the care of their friends or to private charity. Lazarus’s life was in God’s hands. God knew his position, his condition, and his comfort. Although God did not choose to heal him nor enrich him, God accept him as a believer and welcomed him into his presence. Lazarus chose to believe in God and trust his life to Him. Many complain about their injustice, their poverty and sickness, yet never turn to God. Life is tough and a difficult assignment, but we can fulfill our destiny.
Lazarus completed his tough assignment: “…was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.” Jesus speaks more about the rich man in this story than he does about Lazarus. Why? Maybe it is hard for rich, privileged, and affluent people to sense their need for God or their connectedness to others. Maybe Lazarus’s position is a reminder that we are our brother’s keeper. In other words, don’t go around or pass them by, don’t avoid them, look at them! Maybe Lazarus’s condition should remind us to show more compassion to others. Do not just sympathize, move with compassion to aid and assist them. Maybe seeing the dog’s attempt to provide comfort should shame us in giving more comfort to others. Yes,
Lazarus completed his assignment and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. Probably, no one would have asked for this assignment. No one wants to be poor or sick. No family would volunteer to care for a handicap child or ask for an extra burden in life, but all of life is an assignment. We must run the race that is set before us. Thank God for people who show us how to bear the burdens of life with grace.
Ps 139:13 -14 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. (14) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
I encourage you to trust God through a pandemic, through loss, sickness and trouble. In spite of what you go through, the loss of health, unemployment, uncertainty, keep trusting God. God knows your position, your condition, and your comfort or lack of comfort. Trust in God, and you will finish strong. You will complete your assignment. You will hear God say, Well done thou good and faithful servant, your assignment has been fulfilled and your struggle is over! Enter into the joys of the Lord!
After suffering the loss of health, unemployment, uncertainty, the family have never forgot about God. They have praised God through the midst of their struggles and are still holding on to God today.
Today I want to remind you, if you have loss a love one, their assignment is fulfilled and their struggle is over! In our lesson, only one person remembered the former days. Somehow, the presence of God, the bosom of Abraham was enough to erase the pain of the past. Today, it is alright to weep, but we weep knowing that weeping only endures for the night and that joy will come! We weep understanding that one day. God himself will wipe the tears from their eyes.
Re 21: 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
