God’s Word changes the heart!
Luke 16:31- “Abraham replied to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (EHV)
Can you think of any other more shocking thing to see than for someone who was dead to come back to life? Now imagine when they do come back to life and tell you what they experienced, would you listen? To us, it might seem like a no brainer, of course we would listen. But Jesus says otherwise. The story of the rich man and Lazarus emphatically tells us that even if someone comes back from the dead, people will not listen.
Maybe Jesus is speaking hypothetically or exaggerating. But isn’t it interesting that there was a man name Lazarus that Jesus rose from the dead? What reaction did the Pharisees have to him? They plotted to kill him even though they knew he was dead for four days. How did they react when Jesus rose from the dead? They knew he rose, but they paid the guards to say the disciples stole his body.
Jesus gives us the only tool that keeps people out of Hell, that place of torment when the rich man could not even find relief from a drop of water. Jesus gives us the only tool to bring us to Abraham’s side in heaven. It is the Scriptures. Why is this the only tool to rescue us? The Scriptures are all about Jesus and his work to save us from going to Hell, the place of torment. This is why we must hold tight to the Word of God even if our lives on earth are full of sores and troubles. This is why we must hold tight to the word of God when our lives are full of blessings and riches. Whether we have plenty or in need, what we really need is Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen. This is what Moses and the Prophets pointed to in the Old Testament. This is what the New Testament reveals as fulfilled in its entirety. Every day we listen to the word and find our escape from the place of torment that is to come. Every day we listen to the word, we find the ultimate comfort and assurance of paradise to come when we will be with the Lord forever!
Dear Word of God, continue to change our hearts and help us hold tight to you, the only thing to escape the eternal torment of hell. Convince us every day that we have a place in paradise all thanks to your sacrifice and resurrection. In your name we pray. Amen.