BURIED TO WHAT?

BURIED TO WHAT?

Thursday, March 03, 2016

Luke 16:19-31; 18:7-14

John 3:1-18 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. … For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

  There are situations that we prefer not to think or talk about. The topic of eternal unrest versus rest of loved ones, benefactors, honorable people, heroes (Especially those giving the lives in saving others.), those we esteem is a proscribed list-topper.

  The beggar died first. The rich man continued to live in pleasurable position.

  Without wealth, Lazarus the beggar’s remains may have been “disposed of”, possibly per custom to a potter’s field or the city’s burning trash dump.

  With wealth and status, the rich man’s funeral must have been a grand public spectacle, with much color, pomp, and place for family words and dignitary oration.

  Such distinctions can easily confuse our thinking as Christians.

  For example: Uncle Jim McGee, thrice wounded and decorated WW1 combat veteran, lived with our family. From my earliest days he took me to parade, memorial, and gathering where I was privileged to meet many veterans. He was a tremendous influence contributing to my patriotism (and the reason I started PATRIOTS news e-list.)

  James Robert McGee left me with an emotional side that surfaces, sometimes with whelming poignant affection when I view military funerals.

  Knowing the facts of life and death in God’s Word, I am soon disturbed considering how beyond glorious visuals and words honoring deceased military or otherwise uniformed man or woman . . . there is eternal question, “Buried to what?”

  "One day the beggar died, and the angels carried him to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. He went to hell, where he was constantly tortured.” (GW Lk.16:22-23)

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