THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10: A curse on the man who puts his trust in man, a blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord.

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31: Good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony.

The Rich Man and Lazarus: The Self-Indulgent vs. the Man of Faith

Jesus identified Lazarus was named Lazarus where as the rich man was not identified and named in this passage. The eternal truth is much more blessed and much more terrifying than any mere human description. The rich man misused two opportunities i.e. wealth and religion. The name Lazarus means God is help. He is an allegorical representation either of his poor disciples (Lk 6:20).

1.    A difference in life (v.19-21)

a.    Rich man nameless, Lazarus named

b.    Rich man wealthy, Lazarus poor

c.     Rich man healthy, Lazarus disabled

d.    Rich man lived in luxury and extravagance; Lazarus begged, helpless

2.    A difference in death: Lazarus died and was escorted to Paradise; rich man died and was buried (22)

3.    A difference in eternity (23-31)

a.    Rich man in hell, Lazarus in Paradise

b.    Rich man saw glory, Lazarus was in glory

c.     Rich man was alone, Lazarus had fellowship

d.    Rich man had burning sensation, Lazarus had water

e.     Rich man tormented, Lazarus comforted

f.      Rich man remembered his former life, Lazarus was silent

g.    Rich man was fixed in hell, Lazarus was fixed in Paradise

h.    Rich man agonized for loved ones, Lazarus was settle in eternity

i.      Rich man begged for other chance, Lazarus was silently at peace

j.      Rich man was unable to intercede for his family, Lazarus was at rest in God’s promises.

Thought: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8: 36).

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