A tale of two men (1)
By Pastor (Dr.) Elisha Olusheye
Dear Reader,
In Luke 16:19-23, the
holy Bible says, “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. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (N.I.V.).
In high school I read a novel titled “A Tale of Two Cities.” In college I read a poem called “A Tale of Two Churches.” Here we have the “Tale of Two Men.” Jesus told this moving story, a story filled with lessons and truth about life, death and eternity. The rich man lived for now and was lost for eternity. The poor man’s only hope was eternity. He had nothing here.
Please don’t misunderstand the point here. Riches had nothing to do with the rich man being lost, and poverty had nothing to do with the poor man going to heaven. Many millionaires have testified of faith in Christ and become saved eternally. On the other hand, numberless poor men have lost their souls and gone to hell because they would not trust Christ as Saviour. The difference here is not money but men.
Now I want to point out three things from the above passage: the Great Contrast, the Great Controversy, and the Great Concern.
The Great Contrast: Heaven or Hell: Some time ago I read of two men sitting on a log. Suddenly the log dislodged and began to roll down the hill. One man fell over backwards; the other jumped off the other side. The man who fell got to his feet, brushing himself off only to watch in horror as the log rolled over his friend and crushed out his life. One man was on the right side of the log; the other, on the wrong side.
The story of Cain and Abel illustrates this same truth. Cain’s vegetable offering was rejected; and Abel’s animal offering accepted. Abel’s offering fulfilled the prophetic picture of a blood sacrifice and suggested God’s way. Cain’s offering shows man’s way. One was right, and one was wrong (Gen. 4:1-7).
Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. They had the same parents, the same environment, the same opportunities. But one cared for “now” and the physical needs; while the other was concerned for “later.” One was on the right side; the other on the wrong side (Gen. 25:29-34).
Jesus told of two men who built houses. One built on the rock and the other on the sand. One house stood, while the other fell. One man was wise; the other was foolish (Matt. 7:24-27).
Two men went to pray. The one prayed with pride and boasted of his standing and his achievements. The other prayed for mercy because of his sin. One was justified; the other was condemned (Luke 18:9-14).
Two men were crucified with Jesus. The thief on one side sought to be set free in this life. The other thief desired to settle the matter of the next life. One died and went to hell; the other went immediately to Paradise (Luke 23:39-43).
When Jesus comes He will find two men in a field. One shall be taken, the other left.
Two men shall be in bed. One will be taken and the other will be left (Matt. 24:36-42).
Now, in the text (Luke 16:19-23), our two men are the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. There is a great contrast here. They live differently, died differently, and ended in different places for eternity.
The very minute they died, things changed around. Now the rich man is a poor unfortunate, lost creature, hopeless, helpless and condemned to eternal damnation.
The poor man now is rich and enjoying the benefit of everlasting life. He is an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave us this story to show us the difference between the two men. There are only two kinds of people in the world, saved and lost. The few on the narrow road have eternal life, while the multitude on the broad road are headed for hell. Once the last breath is taken, the destiny of the soul is settled forever.
“I understand that you and your wife are going to be separated,” said a friend to a well-known judge.
“How dare you insinuate such a thing!” shouted the judge in anger. “My wife and I love each other very much.”
“Is that so?” queried the friend. “Well, I know that your wife is a Christian. She will be going to heaven when she dies.” (John 1:12; 3:3-5; Eph. 2:8-9; I Thessa. 4:13-17).
In the end, the judge became convicted in his heart by the Holy Spirit of God through the Word of God just heard from his Christian friend. After some meditation, and as the words took effect, the judge cried and said, “My God, save me! All these years that I have turned away from you. Forgive me, Lord, and save me right now!” He repented of his sins and gave his life to Jesus Christ, and was gloriously saved, as a born again child of God and a candidate of heaven (Isa. 1:18; John 3:16; 1:12; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9).
This message is also for you, dear reader, no matter your age, sex, education, occupation, position, religion, or estate in life, and no matter the degree of your sinfulness or for how long you had been rebuffing or rejecting the Good News of eternal salvation through faith in Christ.
(To be continued)
For further information, counselling, prayer and other help, please contact me at once, on telephone numbers:
08055069284, 02-8100301, 8100248 or 08037878711;
write to E-mail: ehlolusheye@yahoo.co.uk or
write to G.P.O. Box 530, Ibadan.
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