Scripture to Read: Luke 16:27-28
The rich man knew his fate was sealed, but he came to the realization that those on earth still had a chance to change their lives for eternity. We read in Luke 16:27–28, “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” This is the first sign that the rich man was actually shifting his focus from himself to others. But it’s also interesting that the rich man never asked if he could come to where Lazarus was. The rich man, even in his torment, never repented, never acknowledged his need for God, never acknowledged his sin, and never confessed his need for God or for God’s forgiveness. But he did acknowledge that his brothers needed to respond to God. The rich man knew his brothers were lost in their sin and needed to repent and surrender their lives to God so they would not end up in the same place of torment. The rich man thought that if Lazarus were raised from the dead and went to warn his brothers, they might repent and willingly walk with God and obey His commands. We know that Christ is Lord, that Hades is real, and that one day Hades and everyone in Hades will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). Therefore, we must live with the same urgency as the rich man, seeking to lead others to know and follow Christ.
Challenge & Application
What was the rich man’s request and why was it so urgent?
We have God’s Truth, so, are you living with that same urgency to lead others to know and follow Christ? Why or why not?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!