LISTEN TO MOSES AND THE PROPHETS
Luke 16:14-31
Key verse 29
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’”
The New Class Year for 2024-2025 is about to start. Campuses are filled with a lot of students again. In the Rutgers-Yard, there is my favorite spot to sit and watch people while preparing a message. Students are seemingly full of excitement and anticipation about the new friends they will meet, the independent and free college life away from their parents, and the new future ahead. Watching the students pass by, I wonder what message I should deliver to them from the Bible, the old story. Should I just say “Be good! Study hard! Get a good job!” This Bible is not just about moral teaching, but it reveals the truth that touches on the purpose of our lives and the salvation of our souls.
Many people may live as if this life is everything and ended with death, but the truth is that there is eternal life after death. One’s eternal destiny will be determined by how they live this life. Some will end up in eternal torment and others the eternal heaven, the kingdom of God.
In this passage, Jesus teaches us that the way to the eternal life. It is to listen to the word of God.
First, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached (14-18).
Look at verse 14. “The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.” In previous passage, Jesus indirectly revealed their love for money, saying “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Though the Pharisees knew that, they did not repent. Rather, they were sneering at him, expressing open contempt. Still, Jesus loved them more. How? He helped them by plainly rebuking their sins.
Look at verse 15. “He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.’” What do people(you) value highly? Physical appearance, achievements, titles, degrees, power, and of course money. Why is it such a serious matter? It is because we justify ourselves in the eyes of others. Since others value highly out-appearance, some may think it is okay to judge others based on how they look, whether to despise or praise them. Since others value money highly, others may think it is okay to lie for 1,000 or even kill a man for mission dollars. Others may believe that it is okay to sacrifice a little one for the sake of many others. Is it really no problem? The Pharisees, as the religious leaders, had titles, degrees, power, and money. They justified themselves as great servants of God, since they memorized many bible verses and regularly practiced fasting and prayer. Even though their hearts were full desires for money, success, power, and titles, envy, jealous, hatred, anger, and lust, still they believed that they were good because they wore fancy garments, and practiced ceremonial cleansing. Because people valued “how they look” and “how they practice religious activities in public.” Is it truly okay? They thought this way, because outwardly they appeared holy and righteous.
However, that’s huge mistake for they completely ignored the eyes of God, who sees their hearts. In God’s sight, such things – what people value high – are detestable. The phrase “detestable in God’s sight” implies idolatry. Outwardly they looked pious and holy, yet in their hearts they were idol worshippers – worshiping or serving other things rather than God. It is so easy to fool people. How do I look? Standing on this podium and delivering a message, do I look like a great Bible Teacher? Please do not be deceived by what you see! However, no one can fool God because God sees our hearts and judges our heart motives. How tempting it is to only care what people think and say, and ignore what God sees.
Then, how could the Pharisee, once known as the most pious, become so corrupt? Simply it was because they did not listen to God through their bible studies. Rather, they misused their bible knowledge to justify their sins. Look at verse 16a. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John.” Since the time of Moses, the Law and the Prophets had been proclaimed in every generation. But, about what? All the scriptures testify about Jesus, the Messiah. Even only from the five books of Moses, we can clearly learn Who Jesus is. Jesus Christ is the offspring of the woman who will crush the devil; Jesus is the offspring of Abraham who will be the source of blessing for all; Jesus is the Passover Lamb by which sinners are set free from the power of sin an death; Jesus is the Lamb of God without defects, whose blood washes away all sin; Jesus is the Prophets like Moses who teaches the word of God; Jesus is the Tabernacle where sinners come to worship God. (Jn5:36-46)
What about after the Old Testaments time? Verse 16b reads, “Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.” John, the Baptist, as the forerunner of Christ preached the message of the repentance for the forgiveness of sins (3:3). People came to John because they knew that they had failed to live up to God’s holy standard as laid out in his word. The people were humbly baptized in repentance. John’s message didn’t end with repentance. He pointed the people to Jesus the Messiah, saying “Look the lamb of God who takes away sin of the world!” Then, Tax collectors, prostitutes, the demon-possessed, the poor, and all kinds of people came to Jesus. In Him, they found the way to enter God’s kingdom, not by their own righteousness, but by faith in Jesus! There were abundant Scriptures from Moses and from the Prophets that testified about Jesus. Then, Jesus says, “I tell you, it is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.” (17) What the Scriptures had proclaimed is the never changing truth. The word of God never fails to reveal the awesome holiness of our Perfect Lord, Jesus Christ.
What would you with these Scripture, the Word of God, the never changing truth? What had the Pharisee done with the word of God? Did they listen to the word and repent of their sins? Did they come to God with humility and repentance, by depending on his grace and and his cross? Rather, they hardened their hearts. The Pharisees used the law to formulate traditions which they then used to justify themselves. One example was divorce. Genesis 2:24 clearly states: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Jesus also taught: “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mk 10:9). However, in reality so many women were suffering under the authorities of irresponsible, sinful men. So, Moses responded by giving some instruction to prevent doing what is detestable in the eyes of the LORD. (Dt 24:1-4) But in Jesus’ day, the religious leaders abused this to justify divorce. By that, they also justified their lust, and adultery. Did that mean that Genesis 2:24 is no longer God’s truth about marriage? Not at all. Look at what Jesus declared against the teaching of the religious leaders. “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Adultery is a violation of the Ten Commandments. They did not study the scriptures to listen and believe in God’s word. If they did so, they would believe in Jesus for all the scriptures were written to testify about Jesus; and by believing in Him, they would be saved. If they listened to Jesus, they may realize they too are sinners, then repent and join the prostitutes and tax collectors who are entering the kingdom of God!
Again, what would you do with the Scriptures, the Word of truth? In UBF, we do “Bible Study” in many different ways such as 1:1 Bible Study, Group Bible Study, Daily Bread, Writing Testimony, Sharing Testimony, and also personal Bible Reading. We may study the Bible with a single purpose: To listen to the word of God and come to know who Jesus is. We thought about what people highly value. Then, what might God value highly? It is not money, self-righteousness, or crowns, power, authorizes. These are detestable in God’s sight. However, a broken and contrite heart, a humble and repentant spirit – these are what God does not despise, but rather delights in and exalts. In our bible studies, we may come to God with humble and repentant heart by accepting the word of truth.
Second, the rich man and Lazarus (19-31).
What about those who reject the truth? What would the final and eternal destination for them? Look at verses 19-21. “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.” Think about this rich man. In Jesus’ day purple dye was extremely rare and it was the symbol of royalty and rich. The rich man lived in luxury everyday. He wore custom-made clothes by famous fashion designers – Valentino, Gucci, Dolce; he was driving the newest BMW; ate only the finest of foods cooked by Gordon Ramsay. His mansion had a swimming pool, indoor basketball court and tennis court. He might celebrate life daily with parties, inviting celebrities like Stephen Curry to play basketball or Mesh to play soccer.
What about Lazarus? He was a beggar suffering from serious health problems. He longed to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. He was laid at the rich man’s gate because of the pain from his sores. Even dogs often came and licked his sores. What a contrast between the rich man and Lazarus. Every day the man enjoyed his luxury, while Lazarus suffered in agony.
But what happened to them? The Time came! The time that No one could ever escape or avoid: the time of death. Whether you were rich or poor, life on the earth is not forever. Look at verse 22a. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.” Lazarus’ suffering came to an end in his death. No one on earth even noticed. There is no mention of burial. However, the angels came and carried him to Abraham’s side. On earth, he was laid at the gate, now he sits on the honorable seat by Abraham’s side in the kingdom of God. What a glorious place to be!
What about the rich man? Look at verse 22b. “The rich man also died and was buried.” e had lived as if he would never die, enjoying his luxurious lifestyle every day without a single thought concerning his eternal destiny. But, he also died and was buried. This was the end of the life of luxury. Who welcomed him? No body, but the Hades (the hell) There were no angels for him.
From verse 23, it is about after death. Death is not end of life, but it is the beginning of the eternity. Verses 23-24 read, “In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Hades here refers to the place of the dead. It is a place where those who die await judgment. After Jesus comes again and all people face judgment, Hades and death will all be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev 20:14). Immediately after death, this man was in torment and agony, burning in a fire.
Where is his BMW, fancy clothes, house, gold or money? He could not carry even his water bottle. He left everything behind. In his agony, he looked up to heaven. He saw Abraham far away. Shockingly, there was Lazarus, that pitiful beggar, by his side! In his agony and suffering, he could not but beg for mercy from Lazarus and Abraham. “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”
Look at verses 25-26. “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’” Do you remember the thief on the cross who repented and ask for salvation? Jesus said “today, you shall be with me in paradise.” Even at the last moment of his life, he had a chance to repent and receive God’s mercy. Many people have a lot of wishful thinking about what comes after they die. After death, there is no second chance. There is no way cross the chasm. No praying for dead people make it into heaven. If anyone died without Jesus, they are going into the lake of fire forever!
How could this rich man fall into the Hades? He lived godless life, out of his selfishness and ignorance. Every day he had an opportunity to practice the Law “Love your Neighbors,” by giving a piece of bread to the bagger, Lazarus. But, in his daily lives, there was no God, but himself only – his family, his business, his study, his work. The rich man’s purpose of life was to enjoy good things. He might be filled or contented physically, he could not be happy because he did not have God in his life. His wealth could not buy happiness. Many people are deceived by the lie of the devil – “You will be happy if you have money or house or degree.” Being content with physical need or Possession of things cannot bring us joy nor happiness. It is because we are not animals, but mankind created in the image of God, with the breath of life.
What about Lazarus? What brought him to the kingdom of God? His poverty or his sickness. No. Definitely, it was his faith in God. Though he was in hunger, he depended on God every day. He prayed for his daily bread every day. Whenever he got just a piece of bread, he thanked God and praised God. Every day he was joyful because of God who provided. He always prayed, gave thanks to God and rejoiced.
The rich man had received good things for a moment of time, and now would suffer for eternity, while Lazarus suffered bad things for a moment of time, and would now be comforted for eternity. The contrast between their lives on earth cannot compare with the contrast we find in eternity. Jesus speaks frankly and clearly about the eternal destiny that awaits each person after they die: Eternal comfort and life in the kingdom, and Eternal torment in the fire. Romans 2:16 says “God will give to each person according to what he has done” God will judge each person according to his or her life purpose. If one seeks his kingdom and his righteousness by faith, God will send the angels to carry them to heaven. If one ignores God and lives selfishly without God, God will send him to Hell
Look at verses 27-28. “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” He realized that his family lived exactly as he did, and that unless they changed, they would also come to this place of torment. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers to repent. How did Abraham reply?
Look at verse 29. “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’” Abraham tells us that all the warning and instruction we need to listen is available in the word of God – The Bible. God gave the Scriptures (The Bible) to study and come to have the knowledge of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. But they did not believe in the Scriptures. As a result, they rejected Jesus. They justified ignoring the suffering and needy around them, while seeking money and their own pursuits.
Verses 30-31 read, “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” In fact most people have a fixed idea that a supernatural experience will be enough to lead them to repentance, without any context from God’s word to understand it. Many say, “Show me any signs, and then I will believe!” Everywhere Jesus went, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, he performed miracles – healing the sick, driving out demons, opening the eyes of the blind, making the lame to walk, cleansing the leper. Yet many still refused to believe in him. Over 600,000 Israelite experienced God’s mighty works in Egypt and they crossed the Red Sea with their won feet. However, all of them perished in the desert because of their unbelief.
Faith does not come from seeing miracles. Faith comes from the hearing the word of God. That was why Jesus had studied the Scriptures even after his resurrection with two of his disciples on the way to Emmaus. (Lk24) Through Bible Study, their spiritual eyes were opened and saw the Risen Christ. Only those who have an attitude to listen to God come to faith in him.
“Listen to them.” The word “listen” means more than just hear it, letting it go in one ear and out the other. It means to internalize it until we live it out in obedience. Then, Listening to the word of God will lead to repentance. Putting the word of God into practice in our obedience, we will come to understand our deep need for a Savior. But those who do not really listen to God’s word will not accept Jesus as Savior, as they don’t realize their need for salvation as sinners. God reveals himself to us in his word: who he is, what he has done, what he desires. Therefore, through the study God’s word, we learn who we are and who God is. It requires humility to really LISTEN to the word of God and to repent.
In what practical way have I been listening to the word of God and repenting? After 3 years of Bible Study, finally I had confessed that I received the grace of forgiveness through God’s word, Mark 2:5 “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Someone asked “did you really hear God’s voice?” I did not. But, I accepted the word by faith as the Word Jesus spoke to me. Not just one time, every time I faced the shame of my sins – lust, selfishness. I did not go back to my old self. Instead, I came to the cross of Jesus, meditating on the word, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” By obeying his word, I lived as a new creation, a Bible Teacher and a shepherd. Then, the word of God convicted me that I was a sinner but Jesus forgave all my sins by his blood on the cross. Praise the Lord.
For the last 7 years, we have had GLEForum which is intensive Discipleship Training program. Numerous times, I had faced my weaknesses and limitations as an untrained servant. I had never read the whole 66 books in the Bible. I had never thoroughly study the 5 Books of Moses, especially Leviticus. Moreover, I had been just a lay missionary who had worked full time many years. I was tested, tempted and challenge to give up GLEForum. Instead, I have listen to the Word of God, “Have Faith in God.” (Mk11:22) Obeying His Word, I had fought the good fight not by one own strength, but by faith in God. That is How I have listened to the word of God, “Have faith in God” over the last 7 years. As a result, God has blessed GLEForum to raise Young Leaders, Dream, Vision team to be spiritual leaders for campus and world mission. Reviewing my life, I’m thankful to see again and again how listening to God’s word has been the source of life, hope, and strength. Some people want to overcome their bad habits, fears in their heart. “Listen to the Word of God in the Bible.” Some want to be free from addictions, anxiety, and hatred. “Listen to the Word of God.” Some want to live such life with full of joy, love, hope and vision. “Listen to the Word of God.” The word of God is the Word of eternal life. Listening to the Word of God is only Way to be free from sin.
God sees our hearts. He knows our suffering, pain, and agony. That is why God sent his son, Jesus. Jesus came to give us the Word of God, the word of eternal life. Someone asked a God’s servant, “Why didn’t God speak me as he did to Abraham and Moses?” He answered, “ God has already spoken all His words and they are written in the Bible. Anyone who wants to hear from God must study the Bible with humility and obedience.” In this fall, we may study the Bible to listen to the word of God.