speaking of the real world

“Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.” Luke 16:19-20


Do you know the story? Jesus talks about how the rich man and Lazarus both die, and then he goes on to describe what it’s like for them in the afterlife and all the implications for us in this life. It’s all really good stuff - and I encourage you to read it. But there’s something else you need to know right now: this is a real story, not a parable. Why does this matter to you right now, where you’re sitting in this moment?


Jesus taught in parables to get across ideas that we’re supposed to live out. But in this instance, Jesus uses a personal name Lazarus. It’s the only time in all of Jesus’ recorded teaching where he uses the name of a person in a story to prove a point. He’s not just sharing a a “story” to illustrate something although it does that too. Jesus is telling you something that he has been an eyewitness to. 


This matters to you because Jesus is watching you right now as you’re reading this. He saw you when you were formed in the womb. He saw you draw your first breath. He sees you right now this moment. He will watch you draw your last breath and step into eternity and watch as you reflect on what you did with your time here and where it led you.


Jesus isn’t talking to you about abstract ideas: he’s talking to you about the real world. Listen up. Pay attention. Because you’re going to have all eternity to consider what you’ve done with what Jesus is telling you.


Spark. Apply effort to achieve flame.