Protestants have a saying… “born once die twice, born twice die once!” It’s a catchy way of saying everyone experiences a physical birth but not everyone experiences the spiritual birth of being “born again”, the act of believing and receiving Jesus’ work on the cross for our salvation.

Born once, die twice
– physical birth ending in both physical and spiritual deaths.
Born twice, die once
– physical and spiritual births but ending only with a physical death.

Physical death and cemeteries

Personally, I do not like cemeteries. I think they are a waste of good real estate. Instead of useful purposes like farming, or housing, or recreation; we bury the remains of our dead, the empty and deteriorating vessels that no longer contain the personalities, the character, the beings and the life essence of our loved ones. They are simply not there! Do you believe you were meant to be tending a grave or were you made for more? See my article: https://enjoyinghispresence.com/made-for-more-by-josh-baldwin/

Cemeteries serve as a constant reminder that all of us will be leaving our physical bodies at our appointed time. They are witness to the physical death all of us will experience.

Do you believe in heaven and hell?
What is your destination when
physical death comes knocking on your door?

Jesus answers both questions in the story
The Rich Man and Lazarus
– Luke 16:19-31

Jesus used many parables to teach His followers. I agree with many theologians that “The Rich Man and Lazarus” is actually a true event because unlike His many other parables, Jesus actually names individuals in this story. In lieu of using adjectives like the good Samaritan, tax collector, farmer, or shepherd; Jesus names two individuals in this story, Lazarus and Abraham.

Jesus begins the story … 
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. 

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.” 

Many people might read these verses thinking rich people go to hell and poor people go to heaven. I am pretty certain hell does not discriminate between rich and poor people. Part of Jesus’ message was to correct the thinking of that time that wealth was a sign of being favored by God. Jesus points out this is not the case as this rich man goes to Hades (hell), a place of eternal torment while Lazarus is carried by angels to a place of comfort to be with Abraham. Abraham was saved by His faith and it is fair to assume he was accompanied by other believers.

Scripture teaches us that this “place of comfort” was not heaven, but rather a “paradise” where Old Testament “believers” went to await the resurrection of Jesus. Upon Jesus’ resurrection, their sins were paid for and it was at that time they accompanied Him in His ascension into heaven.

 And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; 
but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 

Jesus tells us hell is real and very unpleasant. The rich guy recognizes Abraham and Lazarus and he comes to realize upon waking up in hell, the costs of choosing the temporal enjoyment and pleasures of this world for the eternal comfort of God’s world.

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you 
may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 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.’

This part of the passage is the most remarkable and sobering to me. The rich guy’s presence, his being, his consciousness, and his love survives his physical death. He realizes his goose is cooked and yet the love for his brothers still prevails in the next world. He desires to save them from the same fate. In addition to knowing he was wealthy, lived in a pretty good house, and could afford all the comforts of this world; we realize this rich guy loved his brothers too. He can’t be all that bad of a guy, right? How many people do we know are like this rich guy who are living in nice neighborhoods with manicured lawns, enjoy nice cars, dress well, and love their families and friends but have no relationship with God? Are you like him? I know I was before my spiritual awakening. My wife pointed a post on my Linked-in account from a former client over 20 years ago characterizing me with great integrity. I don’t know that I was truly a rich guy at the time, but I was a successful guy with “great integrity” who did not have the same relationship I enjoy with God today. Having integrity or even great integrity is noble to have in this physical world, but it doesn’t buy you a ticket to heaven. I am thankful God granted me my spiritual awakening before death’s knock at my door.

“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.’”

This is a difficult passage for believers with loved ones, friends and family who are non-believers. Our love and genuine concern for them will not be enough to ensure we will see them again in God’s kingdom. The Old Testament believers only had Abraham, Moses, and the Prophets to place their faith in God. Today we have the Old Testament, The New Testament, and Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. If our loved ones still can’t believe, they need more than our love, they need our prayers!

Don’t be the rich guy!

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