Jesus told a parable about a rich man unwilling to share his food with a beggar named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Upon their death, the rich man went to hell, but Lazarus to heaven. Between the two places there was a great chasm, so no one could cross from one side to the other, although the rich man was able to converse with Abraham, the first of the Hebrew patriarchs, in paradise.
The rich man pled with Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to forewarn his Jewish brethren of the impending doom awaiting them if they failed to repent. Abraham’s response: If they were unwilling to listen to Moses and the prophets, neither would they be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead (Luke 16:31). Nevertheless, God sent someone, not just anyone, but his one and only Son (Matt. 21:37-39; John 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9).
Jesus’ miracles, of which his resurrection was the greatest, and his many post-resurrection appearances provided the convincing proof that he is alive (John 20:30-31; Acts 1:3). From this, we can conclude three things: First, Christ is God. Second, he is a living and active God. Third, it is by the Lord’s sovereign authority and power that he will fulfill his promise to resurrect our bodies, just as the Father did with his beloved Son (John 6:57).
As a precursor to his own resurrection, Christ raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44), a man with the same name as in Jesus’ parable mentioned above. He said of Lazarus, but alluding to all who repent and live by the Spirit of God, “This sickness [of sin] will not end in death. No, it [the raising of the dead to life] is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
Jesus of Nazareth is our Lazarus come back from the dead to warn us about the future judgment on all who rebel against the Lord by stubbornly continuing in sin. Christ calls us to repentance (Matt. 4:17) and to follow his example of love (John 13:34-35; 15:12). There are two life paths, one leading to permanent death, the other to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14; 25:31-46). The choice is yours between life and death, blessing and curse (Deut. 30:19), but you need to make your choice now, before it is too late!
Walking with Jesus Reflection Series, Refl. #139, Aug. 2026
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