Subject: Is Hell Burning Today? |
Bible Note: Radioman, "In Luke 16:19-31 is the story of Lazarus and the rich man/'Some say that this is a parable. However, if it is, it is unique because no other parable actually names a person. It isn't a story. It is history. It REALLY HAPPENED" IN RESPONCE TO THIS STATEMENT Jesus recognized the value of parables in teaching the people. He desired to stimulate their deepest thought and contemplation, and He knew if He spoke too literally, certain of His hearers would quickly forget His words. Not only that, but others, for whom certain of His parables contained stern rebuke, would be so angered by straight speaking that they would attempt to silence Him by violence. Wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove, Jesus recalled the words of Isaiah 6:9 and told His disciples, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: BUT TO OTHERS IN PARABLES; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." Luke 8:10. Cruden's Concordance explains: "Our Saviour in the gospels often speaks to the people in parables. He made use of them to veil the truth from those who were not willing to see it. Those who really desired to know would not rest till they had FOUND OUT THE MEANING."It is appropriate here to ask to WHOM Jesus was speaking in Luke 16:19-31. Which category of people was He dealing with? The last verse before Jesus' voice begins in this passage tells us. Verse 14 says, "And the PHARISEESE also, who were covetous, HEARD ALL these things: and they derided him." Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, a class of men who were notorious all through the gospels for their refusal to deal honestly with Him and the truths He taught.We can be sure that of all the people Jesus taught, none were handled more guardedly then the wily Pharisees. They dealt in deception and subterfuge, but Jesus dealt with them wisely and truthfully. The safest way for Him to do this was by PARABLE and ALLEGORY. Evidence that they did not understand many of His teachings can be found in Jesus' prayer in Luke 10:21, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast HID THESE THINGS from the WISE AND PRUDENT, and hath revealed them unto babes." Mark 4:33, 34 clearly shows that Jesus' lessons were almost invariably couched in parables: "And with many such parables spake he the word unto them: as they were able to hear it. BUT WITHOUT A PARABLE SPAKE HE UNTO THEM; and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples." Thank you for your comments: MATT |