The Vital Word of God

Luke 16:31 ~ "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.’"

We come to the story of the rich man and Lazarus today (see Luke 16:19-31). And the final statement of this story is one that is of such critical importance that your very soul is dependent upon it. Before you continue, I would have you read the story from God's word.

In this iconic story, the rich man was greedy, indifferent to the needs of the poor man, Lazarus, and had only the desire to fill his appetites with the sumptuous delicacies of the world. He was not condemned because he was rich, however. The evidence of his heart came forth in the way he behaved. Altruism, even humanitarianism, does not save a soul either. But, for those who are truly born-again, there will be the evidence of the heart as expressed in the life. Jesus tells us that the heart will be made known (see Luke 6:45). And, if you have read the story, you see that even the dogs treated Lazarus better than the rich man treated him.

So Lazarus was taken to the place of peace, Abraham's side. The rich man was cast into Hades. "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" (Luke 16:22-23). In such torment, the rich man pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers and warn them that they should never enter such a place. And the response the rich man received is our consideration for today. Abraham said, in essence, they should go to the Scriptures.

How many people today insist with such statements as: "if Jesus would appear right now," or, "if I only could see a miracle now," or, "if the Almighty would merely write it in the clouds... then I would believe." It is not unlike those who mocked and hated Jesus as they passed by, "'Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.' Those who were crucified with him also reviled him" (Mark 15:32). Jesus warned us that it is a wicked and adulterous generation that seeks after signs (see Matthew 12:39). 

But, dear ones, God has already done that very thing. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and the eyewitnesses gave a clear and compelling account of the matter. If they needed a miracle to believe the LORD, why was His resurrection not enough? Because they do not believe the Word of God. It is through the Word of God that the testimony and record of God's work for the salvation of mankind is revealed. To those who reject the Word of God, it does not matter that there is ample evidence from eyewitness testimony to give a clear and compelling account of the resurrection of Christ.

When Jesus encountered the two on the road to Emmaus, what did He do? Did the LORD give them a swift and certain revelation of His glory? Did He immediately unveil their eyes so that they could see that it was Himself, resurrected from the grave? Not at all. Jesus began with the Scriptures. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). 

So, beloved, let me ask you this: are you willing to trust God's word, even if there is no outward evidence from some supernatural experience? Do you pray, seeking some manifestation of the LORD in order for you obey Him, or is the written testimony of of the Word of God enough to move you to love Him and keep His commands? For those who do not believe the Scriptures, a miracle won't convince them. How do I say that with such certainty? Because our LORD said it in our text today. 

There are those who want to try and convince people of Jesus outside of the Scriptures. Don't try. Until the Word of God is heard, no amount of supplementary information will avail. Hebrews 4:12 declares, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Let us hold fast to the Word of God, for therein is the message of salvation.

In His Grace,
​Pastor Michael

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