Things That Make for Peace
Would that even today you knew the things that wake for peace! Luke 19 :42.
These lamentable words came from our Lord the day He wept over Jerusalem. His heart was filled with grief. He longed to bring about a change in the cold hearts of the people, but they rejected Him. He had come to “seek and to save the lost,” but they would have nothing to do with Him. He came to give peace, but they stubbornly refused it. In burning love for these rejecters, He cried out, “Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.” Let us note especially these words, “the things that make for peace.” There are a lot of things that belong to peace—many more than most of us realize. Let us just enumerate a few of them.
A soul that has peace with God also has joy. How true the promise, “Seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Matt. 6:33). True joy is also one of these additions that accompany peace. It is a joy that is different from that which people in the world experience. It is a joy that is directly from Christ. He himself has said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). This joy always accompanies peace.
Love is another one of the things that accompany peace. We at once love Him who gave us this great peace. He becomes “fairer than ten thousand” to our souls. We never know true love until we are saved. In fact, love is one of the ways by which we know that we are children of God. John, writing to the people in his day, said, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love remains in death” (1 John 3:14). One of Jesus’ commandments was that His disciples should love one another. “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13 :34). In fact, love was to be the Christian’s universal badge. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
A clean conscience also belongs to peace. Is anything more horrible than living with an accusing conscience? It is a foretaste of hell. Once a tired, weary sinner comes to Christ, he becomes free from the guilt of sin. “For our sake he made him to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ, who can give a clean conscience, “redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Gal.3:13). He longs to give a cleansed conscience to troubled souls. It is one of the things that make for peace.
Hope also accompanies peace. Only those who have peace with God have hope. All others are hopeless. There is no hope for those who remain in bondage. Hope does not begin until the peace of God has become our gift. Then hope immediately springs up within our heart, for “by his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Whereas darkness, gloom, fear and despair once reigned in our soul, now that peace has come, we immediately have hope for the future. Heaven with all its glories looms up before us. With the psalmist, we, too, can cry out, “For Thee, 0 Lord, do I wait” (Ps. 38:15).
The “things that make for peace” are many. In fact, all that Christ has belongs to one whom He saves, “If children, then heirs, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). We arrive at the same conclusion that John came to when he concluded his Gospel: “But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). So also with the things that belong to peace—they are legion.
Jerusalem and most of its inhabitants rejected Christ, the Prince of Peace. They never got to know the things of peace. Jesus had to say, “Now they are hid from your eyes.” It caused Jesus to weep. Now our turn has come. The Prince of Peace confronts us. Must He weep again? Or will the things that belong to peace be ours?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
I Give You What I Have - Maynard Force
“I Give You What I Have”
Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6.
Giving and Christianity belong together. Jesus said to His followers, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When a Christian no longer gives, he no longer lives, for giving and living cannot be separated.
When the lame beggar stretched out his hand and requested a few coins from Peter and his companion, they were unable to meet his request and Peter had to say, “I have no silver or gold.” He was absolutely penniless at this time and could have politely passed by the needy one with a good excuse. Requests, however, are not to be handled lightly for each one is an open door to a blessing if dealt with rightly.
Peter was nevertheless willing to give what he had; therefore, he added, “I give you what I have.” After all, that is all God requires of His people, for the Bible says, “If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not” (2 Cor. 8:12).
“I give you what I have” is easier said than done. The temptation is common to pretend we have less than we actually have. It is so easy to give the assessor one value of one’s property and the insurance adjuster another value. Some people seem to think that it is a virtue to pretend they have less than what they actually own. Ananias and Sapphira tried to do that in the early church and both were struck dead by God. Peter said, “Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Had these people lived according to “I give you what I have,” they would not have invited God’s wrath upon them.
The words of Peter, “I give you what I have,” are good words by which to live. God always meets us where we are. Paul wrote, “Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (Phil. 3:16). That means to live on the level where we find ourselves today. We are not to pretend that we are better than we are or that we are worse than we are. To interpret this in the sense of giving, it means to give only what we have, nothing more and certainly nothing less.
A Christian life compares well with a funnel. The more the funnel gives out at the smaller end, the more it can receive at the larger end. The use of a funnel is limited in the amount received by the amount given out. God can give us only as we in turn pass our blessings on to others. We are told, “Give, and it will be given to you . . . for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38). To be able to receive more from God means to be able to pass more on to others. It would be wise then to stop asking God for more and ask rather for grace to give what we already have. Our attention needs to be directed to the giving end and God will take care of the receiving end. “God loves a cheerful giver” because such a person offers God an opportunity to pour out His blessings freely. God works through His people. No one has yet lived that has been able to give out more than God replenishes. You just cannot get ahead of God. When the giving end is wide open, God is able to pour His blessings in faster at the receiving end. If you doubt this statement, why not put it to a test in your own life and see for yourself.
When Peter gave what he had, he gave more than the lame beggar expected. If the beggar’s heart sank when he heard Peter say, “I have no silver or gold,” he must have taken courage when he heard him say, “I give you what I have.” Then when Peter added, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” he received far more than he had even dared to ask. It is true that our Lord “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). However, let us not forget that our Lord uses people like Peter to act as channels through which He imparts His superabundant blessings. There would be more people receiving far more than what they ask or even think if God had more open Christians through whom He could impart His blessings.
A Christian is a channel through which God wishes to work. To impress this truth upon His disciples, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is who bears fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15 :5). Whatever is done must be done by God. As He uses the branches to bear the fruit, so He uses Christians through whom He imparts His blessings. God could have sent an angel and healed the lame beggar before Peter reached him had He wanted to do so, but He chose to use the regular channel through which He does His work—namely, His redeemed people. Therefore, it is important that everyone who confesses to be a Christian be an open channel through whom God can impart blessings.
“What I have, that give I thee” is a good motto. This statement by Peter is a key to successful, happy living. He who lives thereby will never regret it. All who have been used of God in the past have exemplified these words in their everyday life. Even people who are not Christians are captivated by such living.
To carry out this kind of living takes the grace of God. It is a grace given by God Himself to all those who want it. We have the promise, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6.
Giving and Christianity belong together. Jesus said to His followers, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When a Christian no longer gives, he no longer lives, for giving and living cannot be separated.
When the lame beggar stretched out his hand and requested a few coins from Peter and his companion, they were unable to meet his request and Peter had to say, “I have no silver or gold.” He was absolutely penniless at this time and could have politely passed by the needy one with a good excuse. Requests, however, are not to be handled lightly for each one is an open door to a blessing if dealt with rightly.
Peter was nevertheless willing to give what he had; therefore, he added, “I give you what I have.” After all, that is all God requires of His people, for the Bible says, “If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not” (2 Cor. 8:12).
“I give you what I have” is easier said than done. The temptation is common to pretend we have less than we actually have. It is so easy to give the assessor one value of one’s property and the insurance adjuster another value. Some people seem to think that it is a virtue to pretend they have less than what they actually own. Ananias and Sapphira tried to do that in the early church and both were struck dead by God. Peter said, “Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Had these people lived according to “I give you what I have,” they would not have invited God’s wrath upon them.
The words of Peter, “I give you what I have,” are good words by which to live. God always meets us where we are. Paul wrote, “Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (Phil. 3:16). That means to live on the level where we find ourselves today. We are not to pretend that we are better than we are or that we are worse than we are. To interpret this in the sense of giving, it means to give only what we have, nothing more and certainly nothing less.
A Christian life compares well with a funnel. The more the funnel gives out at the smaller end, the more it can receive at the larger end. The use of a funnel is limited in the amount received by the amount given out. God can give us only as we in turn pass our blessings on to others. We are told, “Give, and it will be given to you . . . for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38). To be able to receive more from God means to be able to pass more on to others. It would be wise then to stop asking God for more and ask rather for grace to give what we already have. Our attention needs to be directed to the giving end and God will take care of the receiving end. “God loves a cheerful giver” because such a person offers God an opportunity to pour out His blessings freely. God works through His people. No one has yet lived that has been able to give out more than God replenishes. You just cannot get ahead of God. When the giving end is wide open, God is able to pour His blessings in faster at the receiving end. If you doubt this statement, why not put it to a test in your own life and see for yourself.
When Peter gave what he had, he gave more than the lame beggar expected. If the beggar’s heart sank when he heard Peter say, “I have no silver or gold,” he must have taken courage when he heard him say, “I give you what I have.” Then when Peter added, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” he received far more than he had even dared to ask. It is true that our Lord “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). However, let us not forget that our Lord uses people like Peter to act as channels through which He imparts His superabundant blessings. There would be more people receiving far more than what they ask or even think if God had more open Christians through whom He could impart His blessings.
A Christian is a channel through which God wishes to work. To impress this truth upon His disciples, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is who bears fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15 :5). Whatever is done must be done by God. As He uses the branches to bear the fruit, so He uses Christians through whom He imparts His blessings. God could have sent an angel and healed the lame beggar before Peter reached him had He wanted to do so, but He chose to use the regular channel through which He does His work—namely, His redeemed people. Therefore, it is important that everyone who confesses to be a Christian be an open channel through whom God can impart blessings.
“What I have, that give I thee” is a good motto. This statement by Peter is a key to successful, happy living. He who lives thereby will never regret it. All who have been used of God in the past have exemplified these words in their everyday life. Even people who are not Christians are captivated by such living.
To carry out this kind of living takes the grace of God. It is a grace given by God Himself to all those who want it. We have the promise, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
The Lord Is Good - Maynard Force
Devotional Messages
The Lord Is Good
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7.
The above scripture divides itself into three parts and each part contains a blessing.
FEELINGS OR FAITH
“The Lord is good.” This truth Satan hates. He, therefore, tries to interrupt the events in our life to make us believe otherwise. When testing, sorrow, discouragement or death comes our way, we are prone to doubt that “the Lord is good.” Our feelings at that time are often contrary to this Word. Satan has the ability to work on our feelings and set them against God. A child of God, however, has learned that when feelings and the Word of God do not harmonize, he must pray for grace to disregard the feelings and cling only to the Word. James admonishes, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7, 8). In due time our feelings and God’s Word will harmonize again.
The Lord has always been good to us. We have not always acknowledged it, but the fact still remains. Can you think of one time in your life when the Lord was not good? It is true there may be times when it seems that He has not been good, but when we feel that way we have misunderstood Him. He Himself has said, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer.29:11). This promise should settle any doubt in our mind as to the Lord’s relationship to us.
The Lord lets nothing happen to His people but that which is for their good. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). There come times in our lives when such a promise is hard to understand, but remember that the righteous must live by faith. We are not asked to understand everything, but we are asked to accept even what we do not understand by faith. Only then will be appreciate that “the Lord is good.”
WHEN TROUBLE COMES
The Lord is also “a stronghold in the day of trouble.” The day of trouble cannot be avoided for “man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). God has not promised to steer our lives around trouble, but He has promised to give us strength to be victorious in it.
Trouble can take most any form. It can be mental, physical or spiritual. At times its cause can spring from a very insignificant source, and then again, it can come from some sudden tragedy that can shake us like an earthquake. Regardless of the cause of
our trouble we have the promise—”I will be with him in trouble” (Ps. 91:15).
The Lord is very near us in the day of trouble. We do not always sense His presence but He is there just the same. The Word of God tells us “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Had it said He is a help in time of trouble that would have been wonderful, but the promise assures us He is “a very present help.” He stands so close to us that He is ready to solve our problems.
The Lord is equipped to handle our case right now! Our verse tells us He is “a stronghold,” but a stronghold is no good unless we seek safety there. I do not know why it is but often when the day of trouble comes, we forget about our stronghold. We become so occupied with our trouble that we see nothing else. We forget that “the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble” (Ps. 37:39). David, the king, who knew what it was to go through bitter testings, said about the Lord: “Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance” (Ps. 32:7). This is the language of all who turn to the Lord in the day of trouble. The invitation stands—”Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me” (Ps. 50:15).
HIS WONDERFUL ANSWER
The Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” it is good to have a friend who is interested in us in the day of testing. Perhaps there is no time when we appreciate our friends more. It is at such a time that words of kindness and deeds of love have a way of touching our most tender heartstrings. “Let not your heart be troubled,” said Jesus, the best of all friends, “believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
In the day of trouble we are prone to feel our Lord has forgotten us. Especially do such thoughts come if the day of trouble is prolonged or if trouble is added to trouble. In such critical moments, it would be well if we would pray for grace to take refuge in God’s Word and the Word alone. The Word assures us that our Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” The psalm writer, knowing this secret, wrote: “In the day of my trouble I call on thee; for thou dost answer me” (Ps. 86:7).
Then relax, dear troubled friend, for your appeal has reached the highest authority and your problems will be solved in due time. Remember—”It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3 :26). Cling to the promise—”as your days, so shall your strength be . . .“—“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33 :25, 27).
Jehovah wants to reveal Himself to you so that you can say from experience that “The Lord is good; a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.” Don’t be satisfied until you know Him thus!
The Lord Is Good
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7.
The above scripture divides itself into three parts and each part contains a blessing.
FEELINGS OR FAITH
“The Lord is good.” This truth Satan hates. He, therefore, tries to interrupt the events in our life to make us believe otherwise. When testing, sorrow, discouragement or death comes our way, we are prone to doubt that “the Lord is good.” Our feelings at that time are often contrary to this Word. Satan has the ability to work on our feelings and set them against God. A child of God, however, has learned that when feelings and the Word of God do not harmonize, he must pray for grace to disregard the feelings and cling only to the Word. James admonishes, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7, 8). In due time our feelings and God’s Word will harmonize again.
The Lord has always been good to us. We have not always acknowledged it, but the fact still remains. Can you think of one time in your life when the Lord was not good? It is true there may be times when it seems that He has not been good, but when we feel that way we have misunderstood Him. He Himself has said, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer.29:11). This promise should settle any doubt in our mind as to the Lord’s relationship to us.
The Lord lets nothing happen to His people but that which is for their good. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). There come times in our lives when such a promise is hard to understand, but remember that the righteous must live by faith. We are not asked to understand everything, but we are asked to accept even what we do not understand by faith. Only then will be appreciate that “the Lord is good.”
WHEN TROUBLE COMES
The Lord is also “a stronghold in the day of trouble.” The day of trouble cannot be avoided for “man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). God has not promised to steer our lives around trouble, but He has promised to give us strength to be victorious in it.
Trouble can take most any form. It can be mental, physical or spiritual. At times its cause can spring from a very insignificant source, and then again, it can come from some sudden tragedy that can shake us like an earthquake. Regardless of the cause of
our trouble we have the promise—”I will be with him in trouble” (Ps. 91:15).
The Lord is very near us in the day of trouble. We do not always sense His presence but He is there just the same. The Word of God tells us “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Had it said He is a help in time of trouble that would have been wonderful, but the promise assures us He is “a very present help.” He stands so close to us that He is ready to solve our problems.
The Lord is equipped to handle our case right now! Our verse tells us He is “a stronghold,” but a stronghold is no good unless we seek safety there. I do not know why it is but often when the day of trouble comes, we forget about our stronghold. We become so occupied with our trouble that we see nothing else. We forget that “the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble” (Ps. 37:39). David, the king, who knew what it was to go through bitter testings, said about the Lord: “Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance” (Ps. 32:7). This is the language of all who turn to the Lord in the day of trouble. The invitation stands—”Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me” (Ps. 50:15).
HIS WONDERFUL ANSWER
The Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” it is good to have a friend who is interested in us in the day of testing. Perhaps there is no time when we appreciate our friends more. It is at such a time that words of kindness and deeds of love have a way of touching our most tender heartstrings. “Let not your heart be troubled,” said Jesus, the best of all friends, “believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
In the day of trouble we are prone to feel our Lord has forgotten us. Especially do such thoughts come if the day of trouble is prolonged or if trouble is added to trouble. In such critical moments, it would be well if we would pray for grace to take refuge in God’s Word and the Word alone. The Word assures us that our Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” The psalm writer, knowing this secret, wrote: “In the day of my trouble I call on thee; for thou dost answer me” (Ps. 86:7).
Then relax, dear troubled friend, for your appeal has reached the highest authority and your problems will be solved in due time. Remember—”It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3 :26). Cling to the promise—”as your days, so shall your strength be . . .“—“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33 :25, 27).
Jehovah wants to reveal Himself to you so that you can say from experience that “The Lord is good; a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.” Don’t be satisfied until you know Him thus!
Rescued from the Ditch - Maynard Force
Rescued from the Ditch
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half-dead. Now by chance a priest was going down the road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him, And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Luke 10 :30-35.
For the sake of simplicity we will divide our text according to the four groups of characters that we meet with here, namely, a certain man, some robbers, a priest and a Levite, and a certain Samaritan.
It is interesting to notice that none of the characters are given any specific names. Therefore we shall try to identify them, or at least classify them, as we proceed with our message.
A WAYFARING MAN
“A man,” as the first character is called, could well be any man. It is far more impressive that Scripture did not give him a name for many names could be inserted here. Perhaps even the name you carry would be as fitting as any.
The man was “going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” These two cities are indeed very significant. Jerusalem was by far the most important city in the land. Within its walls was the temple of the living God. It was here that the Lord met with His people in a special way and where God’s people had a chance to fellowship together. There was no place on all the earth where the people felt they were closer to God than in Jerusalem. The place was looked upon as holy ground. Besides, Jerusalem was built on a mountain, signifying also its importance.
Jericho, on the other hand, was located sixteen miles away, down in the Jordan valley, hundreds of feet below sea level. It had long been known for its wickedness. This was the first city that the Israelites destroyed after they set foot on the promised land. Before leaving the place Joshua cursed it and pronounced judgment upon whoever would rebuild it.
The certain man, we read, “was going down” from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was leaving the city of God and the fellowship of God’s people to go to a place that had been cursed. He, like so many in our day, was making his way “down.” The going must have been easy for the earth’s pull of gravity was in his favor. He no doubt had many dreams which he hoped to have realized on this journey.
His journey, like so many others, ended in the ditch. He proved to be an easy victim of the robber gang that was operating along this highway. The two words, “down” and “fell” give a very descriptive account of what happened to him. He kept going “down” until he “fell.” There his journey suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The ditch is indeed a place where many a journey has suddenly ended.
THE ROBBERS
The second group of characters that we meet with are the robbers. The exact number is not given, but there were enough to do the job. They were on the constant lookout for some wealthy Jerusalem citizen who would be making his way down this lonely road. At an unsuspected moment they pounced upon their victim and did their gruesome job.
These robbers are a type of the robber-ring that is at work in the world today. Satan, public enemy No. 1, with his host of demons are on the sharp lookout for any fool who may stroll out of a spiritual Jerusalem. He and his gang work on the basis of twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. No one who has ventured outside of a Jerusalem has been missed by this gang. It is surprising how quickly Satan and his demons can work. If the setting is right they can complete their task in a moment of time.
The robbers of our text did three things to the man. First, they “stripped him.” His covering was worth something so they must take that. The righteousness of Christ, which is the robe of every Christian, is the first thing Satan and his gang are after.
They also “stripped” him of all his other valuables. Jerusalem citizens are rich in faith. He who has faith has all, and this, too, the robber ring must have. When the Apostle Paul came to the end of his earthly journey he took inventory of his possessions and wrote, “I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4 :7). That was the only thing Paul felt was worth keeping.
Another valuable possession that Satan and his followers have stripped from many a careless soul is their purpose in life. God has a plan for every Christian’s life. It is a wonderful plan with a real purpose for living. This Satan is after and has succeeded in stealing from all who drift away from a spiritual Jerusalem.
“Stripped” is a very descriptive word. It well describes an individual who falls prey to Satan. Satan always leaves his victims stripped of all that is worth while.
The second thing that the robbers did to the man in our text was to “beat him.” They struck the poor man until he was nearly dead. Blow after blow upon his unprotected head left him senseless. He could no longer think clearly when they were through with him. All who have been struck by the satanic robbers of our day are also left in a silly stupor. Some have been left in such a sad state that they do not even care about their own salvation. They no longer realize they are dying an eternal death. Some are in such a sad plight they no longer regain consciousness. Surely any soul with a normal capacity to think would seek first “his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6 :33).
The third thing these robbers did was to leave him. They “departed, leaving him half dead.” They did not care what happened to him now. Death soon follows after the satanic robbers are through. Robbers and death are closely connected. A half dead man does not have much time to live, for there is just a short interval before death takes over. There in the ditch, agonizing in the throes of death, absolutely helpless and friendless, lies the man who once had so much hope and aspiration.
THE PRIEST AND THE LEVITE
The priest and the Levite were the first upon the scene after the tragedy. Both these men were representatives of the law and stood for the finest and best that the law could produce. They were giving their full time in the service of the temple, one as a priest and the other as an assistant. No man could be a priest unless he was in perfect health, for no one with blemishes could attain to this office.
The man in the ditch had his hope revived when he heard the approaching steps of these representatives of the law. Through his blurred eyes he could dimly see what a true specimen of manhood should be like. No matter how much he strove to be like them it did him no good. He was a victim of robbers and had lost all his strength.
The Law, which came after the fall of man, and also is the first to reach a fallen sinner, cannot save him. “If a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law” (Gal. 3:21). But “what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do,” God, sending “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3, 4). Therefore, the purpose of the law is not to save. All who hope to be saved through it are sorely disappointed. God’s law shows us what we should be and thus makes sin exceedingly sinful. “If it had not been for the law I should not have known sin” (Rom. 7:7). “Through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful” (Rom. 7:13). The law merely prepares us for the one and only one who can save us. “So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ” (Gal. 3:24).
The man was in far worse agony after the priest and the Levite had left him than he was before. All hope for rescue was now gone and his misery was intensified. He had seen what he should be, but he had no power to change himself. His case, as far as he could see it, was hopeless.
A SAMARITAN
The last, and by far the greatest, character in our text is the “Samaritan.” It is interesting to note that our first character was an unnamed man, and the last one an unnamed Samaritan. The “Samaritan” is a type of Christ. He is compared to a Samaritan because they were a despised people for “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Jesus also was “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
The “Samaritan” as he journeyed, came “where he was.” No journey was ever more important than the one Jesus Christ made to this earth. He came to meet us where we were. The ages of eternity will echo with praises from the redeemed that Jesus Christ condescended to make this journey. It ended on the cross, which has since become the common meeting place of all sinners. “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God” (John 1:11, 12).
The Samaritan “had compassion.” There was nothing in the man that merited this help. No mention is even made about his pitiful cries. The man in the ditch had been “stripped” so he had nothing to offer and therefore could strike no bargain. That which caused the Samaritan to help him came from his own tender heart. The love that he had in his heart constrained him to stop and moved him to action. How well this compares with our God. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
The Samaritan “went to him.” He did not expect the dying man to come to him. He let the meeting place be in the ditch where the man had fallen. There at the very spot where he had been “stripped” the Samaritan and the man meet. It is also in the ditch that Christ meets the poor sinner. For “the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
The Samaritan first “bound up his wounds.” He did not come to scold the man or to reprimand him for his carelessness, but rather to help him. He took care of the bleeding wounds first for they were the cause of his gradual death. Christ our Saviour also attends first to the cause of our death, namely, our sins. He deals gently with these horrible gashes that are sapping the life out of us. Fear not, dear friend, when Christ touches your sins. He does so to help you. Let not your pride prevent Him from continuing. Remember the wounds can never be healed unless He binds them. The binding of the wounds may be a hurtful process but while He is doing it, console yourself with the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The Samaritan also poured “oil and wine on the wounds.” He had with him that which was needed for healing. Christ our great Physician has a balm that will heal any wound. Every person whom He has attended will vouch for the healing power of His salve. Let me give you one sample of this balm that has brought quick healing to many a dying soul. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). No prescription is needed to get this cure. It is free for the taking. There are many more similar soothing verses where this one came from. Just open your Bible and you will find them.
The Samaritan also “set him on his own beast.” He gave up his seat to the man in the ditch. Gently, he picked him up from the rough rocks upon which he had fallen and placed him in his own private seat. How well this act compares with what Christ did for fallen sinners. He came to this earth in order to change places with the sinner. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Every sinner that Jesus saves He actually lifts up to His place. Thus the redeemed become “heirs, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). Ponder these words for they are loaded with blessings. In short, it means that all who belong to Christ belong to those whom He saves. That is what is meant by “fellow heirs with Christ.” This is indeed an exalted seat to sit in for one who has been stripped and found dying in the ditch.
The Samaritan further brought the helpless man “to an inn and took care of him.” An inn is a place where one can find shelter and nourishment. It is not a permanent place to stay like a home, but rather a rallying point for weary travelers. Christ, our Good Samaritan, has arranged a similar place of fellowship for all those whom He redeems. We call our inn the church. Here Christ can nourish us and give us fellowship with other travelers who seek shelter from this cold world. In this place people come and go. New ones are brought here and older ones leave for their permanent home. The “inn” is indeed a precious place.
The Samaritan paid the bill. “He took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him.’” Christ also expects all those whom He has redeemed to be properly cared for. He has made ample provision for everyone so that not one needs to suffer. The church is the place where Christ provides for needs. His request to those in authority is, “Take care of him.” “Feed my lambs,” and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 17), were similar requests given concerning the rescued ones.
The last thing the Samaritan did was to make a promise that he would return. His parting words were, “I will repay you when I come back.” He would return some day. What comforting words these must have been to the man who had been rescued. Each day became a day of expectation. The Samaritan did not say when he would come but he did say he was coming. Our Saviour also promised before he left this earth that He would return. “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Jesus, like the Samaritan, did not tell us when He would return, but we know the time is drawing nigh. This present moment is the closest we have ever come to that time, One of these days He will be back. What a glorious day! The robber gang will then be destroyed. Then all those who have been rescued from the ditch will go to be forever with the Lord. In the words of Scripture, our hearts cry out, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half-dead. Now by chance a priest was going down the road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him, And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Luke 10 :30-35.
For the sake of simplicity we will divide our text according to the four groups of characters that we meet with here, namely, a certain man, some robbers, a priest and a Levite, and a certain Samaritan.
It is interesting to notice that none of the characters are given any specific names. Therefore we shall try to identify them, or at least classify them, as we proceed with our message.
A WAYFARING MAN
“A man,” as the first character is called, could well be any man. It is far more impressive that Scripture did not give him a name for many names could be inserted here. Perhaps even the name you carry would be as fitting as any.
The man was “going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” These two cities are indeed very significant. Jerusalem was by far the most important city in the land. Within its walls was the temple of the living God. It was here that the Lord met with His people in a special way and where God’s people had a chance to fellowship together. There was no place on all the earth where the people felt they were closer to God than in Jerusalem. The place was looked upon as holy ground. Besides, Jerusalem was built on a mountain, signifying also its importance.
Jericho, on the other hand, was located sixteen miles away, down in the Jordan valley, hundreds of feet below sea level. It had long been known for its wickedness. This was the first city that the Israelites destroyed after they set foot on the promised land. Before leaving the place Joshua cursed it and pronounced judgment upon whoever would rebuild it.
The certain man, we read, “was going down” from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was leaving the city of God and the fellowship of God’s people to go to a place that had been cursed. He, like so many in our day, was making his way “down.” The going must have been easy for the earth’s pull of gravity was in his favor. He no doubt had many dreams which he hoped to have realized on this journey.
His journey, like so many others, ended in the ditch. He proved to be an easy victim of the robber gang that was operating along this highway. The two words, “down” and “fell” give a very descriptive account of what happened to him. He kept going “down” until he “fell.” There his journey suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The ditch is indeed a place where many a journey has suddenly ended.
THE ROBBERS
The second group of characters that we meet with are the robbers. The exact number is not given, but there were enough to do the job. They were on the constant lookout for some wealthy Jerusalem citizen who would be making his way down this lonely road. At an unsuspected moment they pounced upon their victim and did their gruesome job.
These robbers are a type of the robber-ring that is at work in the world today. Satan, public enemy No. 1, with his host of demons are on the sharp lookout for any fool who may stroll out of a spiritual Jerusalem. He and his gang work on the basis of twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. No one who has ventured outside of a Jerusalem has been missed by this gang. It is surprising how quickly Satan and his demons can work. If the setting is right they can complete their task in a moment of time.
The robbers of our text did three things to the man. First, they “stripped him.” His covering was worth something so they must take that. The righteousness of Christ, which is the robe of every Christian, is the first thing Satan and his gang are after.
They also “stripped” him of all his other valuables. Jerusalem citizens are rich in faith. He who has faith has all, and this, too, the robber ring must have. When the Apostle Paul came to the end of his earthly journey he took inventory of his possessions and wrote, “I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4 :7). That was the only thing Paul felt was worth keeping.
Another valuable possession that Satan and his followers have stripped from many a careless soul is their purpose in life. God has a plan for every Christian’s life. It is a wonderful plan with a real purpose for living. This Satan is after and has succeeded in stealing from all who drift away from a spiritual Jerusalem.
“Stripped” is a very descriptive word. It well describes an individual who falls prey to Satan. Satan always leaves his victims stripped of all that is worth while.
The second thing that the robbers did to the man in our text was to “beat him.” They struck the poor man until he was nearly dead. Blow after blow upon his unprotected head left him senseless. He could no longer think clearly when they were through with him. All who have been struck by the satanic robbers of our day are also left in a silly stupor. Some have been left in such a sad state that they do not even care about their own salvation. They no longer realize they are dying an eternal death. Some are in such a sad plight they no longer regain consciousness. Surely any soul with a normal capacity to think would seek first “his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6 :33).
The third thing these robbers did was to leave him. They “departed, leaving him half dead.” They did not care what happened to him now. Death soon follows after the satanic robbers are through. Robbers and death are closely connected. A half dead man does not have much time to live, for there is just a short interval before death takes over. There in the ditch, agonizing in the throes of death, absolutely helpless and friendless, lies the man who once had so much hope and aspiration.
THE PRIEST AND THE LEVITE
The priest and the Levite were the first upon the scene after the tragedy. Both these men were representatives of the law and stood for the finest and best that the law could produce. They were giving their full time in the service of the temple, one as a priest and the other as an assistant. No man could be a priest unless he was in perfect health, for no one with blemishes could attain to this office.
The man in the ditch had his hope revived when he heard the approaching steps of these representatives of the law. Through his blurred eyes he could dimly see what a true specimen of manhood should be like. No matter how much he strove to be like them it did him no good. He was a victim of robbers and had lost all his strength.
The Law, which came after the fall of man, and also is the first to reach a fallen sinner, cannot save him. “If a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law” (Gal. 3:21). But “what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do,” God, sending “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3, 4). Therefore, the purpose of the law is not to save. All who hope to be saved through it are sorely disappointed. God’s law shows us what we should be and thus makes sin exceedingly sinful. “If it had not been for the law I should not have known sin” (Rom. 7:7). “Through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful” (Rom. 7:13). The law merely prepares us for the one and only one who can save us. “So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ” (Gal. 3:24).
The man was in far worse agony after the priest and the Levite had left him than he was before. All hope for rescue was now gone and his misery was intensified. He had seen what he should be, but he had no power to change himself. His case, as far as he could see it, was hopeless.
A SAMARITAN
The last, and by far the greatest, character in our text is the “Samaritan.” It is interesting to note that our first character was an unnamed man, and the last one an unnamed Samaritan. The “Samaritan” is a type of Christ. He is compared to a Samaritan because they were a despised people for “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Jesus also was “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
The “Samaritan” as he journeyed, came “where he was.” No journey was ever more important than the one Jesus Christ made to this earth. He came to meet us where we were. The ages of eternity will echo with praises from the redeemed that Jesus Christ condescended to make this journey. It ended on the cross, which has since become the common meeting place of all sinners. “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God” (John 1:11, 12).
The Samaritan “had compassion.” There was nothing in the man that merited this help. No mention is even made about his pitiful cries. The man in the ditch had been “stripped” so he had nothing to offer and therefore could strike no bargain. That which caused the Samaritan to help him came from his own tender heart. The love that he had in his heart constrained him to stop and moved him to action. How well this compares with our God. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
The Samaritan “went to him.” He did not expect the dying man to come to him. He let the meeting place be in the ditch where the man had fallen. There at the very spot where he had been “stripped” the Samaritan and the man meet. It is also in the ditch that Christ meets the poor sinner. For “the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
The Samaritan first “bound up his wounds.” He did not come to scold the man or to reprimand him for his carelessness, but rather to help him. He took care of the bleeding wounds first for they were the cause of his gradual death. Christ our Saviour also attends first to the cause of our death, namely, our sins. He deals gently with these horrible gashes that are sapping the life out of us. Fear not, dear friend, when Christ touches your sins. He does so to help you. Let not your pride prevent Him from continuing. Remember the wounds can never be healed unless He binds them. The binding of the wounds may be a hurtful process but while He is doing it, console yourself with the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The Samaritan also poured “oil and wine on the wounds.” He had with him that which was needed for healing. Christ our great Physician has a balm that will heal any wound. Every person whom He has attended will vouch for the healing power of His salve. Let me give you one sample of this balm that has brought quick healing to many a dying soul. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). No prescription is needed to get this cure. It is free for the taking. There are many more similar soothing verses where this one came from. Just open your Bible and you will find them.
The Samaritan also “set him on his own beast.” He gave up his seat to the man in the ditch. Gently, he picked him up from the rough rocks upon which he had fallen and placed him in his own private seat. How well this act compares with what Christ did for fallen sinners. He came to this earth in order to change places with the sinner. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Every sinner that Jesus saves He actually lifts up to His place. Thus the redeemed become “heirs, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). Ponder these words for they are loaded with blessings. In short, it means that all who belong to Christ belong to those whom He saves. That is what is meant by “fellow heirs with Christ.” This is indeed an exalted seat to sit in for one who has been stripped and found dying in the ditch.
The Samaritan further brought the helpless man “to an inn and took care of him.” An inn is a place where one can find shelter and nourishment. It is not a permanent place to stay like a home, but rather a rallying point for weary travelers. Christ, our Good Samaritan, has arranged a similar place of fellowship for all those whom He redeems. We call our inn the church. Here Christ can nourish us and give us fellowship with other travelers who seek shelter from this cold world. In this place people come and go. New ones are brought here and older ones leave for their permanent home. The “inn” is indeed a precious place.
The Samaritan paid the bill. “He took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him.’” Christ also expects all those whom He has redeemed to be properly cared for. He has made ample provision for everyone so that not one needs to suffer. The church is the place where Christ provides for needs. His request to those in authority is, “Take care of him.” “Feed my lambs,” and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 17), were similar requests given concerning the rescued ones.
The last thing the Samaritan did was to make a promise that he would return. His parting words were, “I will repay you when I come back.” He would return some day. What comforting words these must have been to the man who had been rescued. Each day became a day of expectation. The Samaritan did not say when he would come but he did say he was coming. Our Saviour also promised before he left this earth that He would return. “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Jesus, like the Samaritan, did not tell us when He would return, but we know the time is drawing nigh. This present moment is the closest we have ever come to that time, One of these days He will be back. What a glorious day! The robber gang will then be destroyed. Then all those who have been rescued from the ditch will go to be forever with the Lord. In the words of Scripture, our hearts cry out, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
Lazarus-the Unheralded Missionary - Maynard Force
Lazarus—the Unheralded Missionary
There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And lie called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may pass from there to us.” And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But A bra- ham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father A bra- ham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31.
Our text introduces us to a man by the name of Lazarus. A name which means, “God has helped.” This name is not common for there are only two people who carry that name in the entire Bible. Although our text does not call Lazarus a missionary, he nevertheless is just that—not only a missionary but one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived. We will, therefore, proceed to get better acquainted with him as such.
HIS FIELD
Every missionary has a mission field, that is, an appointed place where he is to serve his Lord. Some missionaries are given large fields like those in China, India and Africa where the souls entrusted to them number in millions. Other missionaries are given smaller fields with fewer souls to which to minister. Lazarus was given a very limited field —it consisted mainly of one man, “a rich man.” Even though the world was in dire need of missionaries, God had ordained that this one rich man should constitute, in the main, Lazarus’ field. The rich man’s soul was indeed valuable in God’s sight since He put forth so much effort to win it.
Some mission fields are small. There are those who have been commissioned to do their work in a Sunday school, with a class of a few boys or girls. Others may have even a more limited field. For example, some saintly grandparents, whose health forbids them to leave the house, must do their witnessing to their grandchildren and an occasional visitor who may show them some interest. Still others who have been called to serve God in the home may have even a more limited field.
The field that God gives should never be despised because of its size. We are told that “he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” (Luke 16:10).
How would you like to have a one-man mission field? It would take more grace to be faithful in such a small field than in a larger one. It is interesting to notice that Lazarus, as far as we know, never complained about his field of service. He could say with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).
HIS HEALTH
A missionary’s health is very important. No mission board wants to send a candidate out to a mission field who will not be able to hold out physically. For that reason, many prospective missionaries do not pass the rigid physical examination and are rejected.
Lazarus’ health was poor. God had so ordained that this missionary should live in a frail body, “full of sores.” Pain and suffering were common to him. Abraham said of Lazarus that during his “lifetime” he received “evil things.” He knew what it was to like awake nights and suffer.
Why some of God’s people should have weak and broken bodies while others have the best of physical health is a matter for God Himself to decide. If we can glorify God better in physical weakness, then let us pray for grace to say with Paul, “I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
It isn’t likely that Lazarus was good looking. The running “sores” would have disqualified him from any beauty contest. Had his picture been put on a poster or handbill, it no doubt would have been repulsive to some. He would have made a poor prospective candidate to serve in a modern church. Had the rich man had a chance to choose his own spiritual adviser, he surely would have cast his vote for one with better looks. It is God, however, who calls His workers and He uses an altogether different system. “The Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). It does not appear that Lazarus ever complained about his health.
HIS SALARY
Most people are vitally interested in their salary. Their one concern seems to be what they will get in return for their services. Missionaries, too, must live, so most mission boards stipulate a set salary.
Lazarus’ salary was small. We read that he desired “to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.” He didn’t desire to live like the rich man but only to get some of the crumbs. Lazarus was satisfied to get what others did not want. His menu was indeed modest. I’m sure he knew what it meant to tighten his belt.
Lazarus was a beggar. All God’s servants are beggars in one sense of the word. They have nothing in themselves and are entirely dependent upon the Lord to sustain them. Therefore, they come daily to the throne of mercy and plead for help. There they also plead for other souls who do not care about their eternal salvation. Their entire life becomes one of asking or to put it stronger, begging. Often, less sympathetic people call God’s people beggars. They accuse them of always begging—first for this cause and then for some other cause.
Most missionaries live off the crumbs. That is what is left after we are satisfied. We, like the rich man, usually take good care of those within our own households and then toss the crumbs to the missionaries. It takes no grace from God to give the crumbs. We would throw them away anyway, therefore, we steer some of them to the cause of missions and get as our reward a relieved conscience. Missionary Lazarus did not complain about his salary; he took what he got and said nothing. Truly, “there is great gain with contentment.”
HIS FRIENDS
One of the missionary’s greatest temptations is to become lonely. Even though there may be hundreds and thousands of people milling around him, yet there come times when Christian fellowship is at a premium. Rebellious thoughts can then come that otherwise would never enter his mind. Therefore, it is always good to have Christian friends to turn to when the going becomes difficult. To meet a Christian when you feel lonely is, indeed, tonic. No one has ever complained of getting an overdose of this. Therefore, missionaries crave all the Christian fellowship that they can find and long for more.
Missionary Lazarus had no friends as far as we know. Had there been some, they would not have let him lead a beggar’s life. It is true, there must have been those who helped carry him out to the rich man’s estate and laid him there at the gate but whoever did the job soon forgot about him. You know, the easiest people on earth to forget are the missionaries. When once they have been helped to their field of service, it is so easy to leave them there and not even contact them any more—-to say nothing of remembering them in prayer.
God arranged it so that “the dogs came and licked his sores.” Even though Lazarus was competing with them for the crumbs still they befriended him to the extent of licking the matter off his festering sores. What an opportunity this would have been for someone who wanted to serve God, to have come before the dogs to this place and extended a hand of love to Lazarus. May we never forget the words of Jesus when He said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matt. 25 :40). Perhaps not too far from where we are there is some lonely Christian who is in dire need of encouragement. At our gate, also, lie many opportunities. Hands of need are reaching out to us for aid that we may sustain them so that the cause of Christ can still live on. Will we, like the rich man, starve them at our very gates? It is challenging to observe that Lazarus never complained that he had been left in such a lonely place.
HIS PULPIT
Every true pastor and missionary loves his own pulpit. Effort is put forth to arrange everything so that when the message is given, conditions are at their best. Churches are constructed so as to create an atmosphere of worship. Songs are sung, Scripture read, and prayer is offered so that the setting may be the most favorable.
Missionary Lazarus did not have that setting, however. His pulpit was the gate. He witnessed under discouraging circumstances. He had to make the best out of the few moments allotted to him as the rich man came and went through this narrow place. He surely must have been time-conscious as he spoke forth the Word to this busy rich man.
The average man would have given up in despair. Not so with missionary Lazarus. He saw no results of his work, yet he kept on. He had been divinely called and was determined to be faithful until death. He could say with Paul, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20 :24).
No efforts were put forth by Lazarus to get moved to another place of easier service. His name, which meant “My God has helped,” was a good reminder to look always in the right direction for His guidance. It was God who had chosen his field of service and he would not make an effort to leave—no, not even under the most discouraging circumstances. Lazarus was not of the complaining kind—he stayed where God put him.
HIS DEATH
The day came when Lazarus died. “It came to pass that the beggar died.” Notice that the last reference made to him on earth is as a beggar. He died while at his post. Nothing is said about his funeral. In fact, it doesn’t even say he was buried. It does record about the rich man that he “died and was buried.” Evidently the funeral service was of no importance, that is, if there was one. No letters of condolence were read at his death. No memorial funds were gathered to keep his name alive. It is unlikely that any church, school, hospital, or institution of any kind has been named after him.
When Lazarus died he “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” Angels were at hand to carry him through the “valley of the shadow of death” so he need “fear no evil” (Ps. 23:4). Angels are at hand in the moment of death to escort God’s people to their heavenly home. What a glorious moment death must be for a child of God. No wonder the scripture tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15), for “He will be our guide for ever” (Ps 48:14). Some of the departing saints, during their last moments on earth, see the angels come for them. They even tell those who are standing by them what a glorious sight this is. The bystander sees nothing but realizes from the expression on the face of the departing one that it must be wonderful.
HIS REWARD
Lazarus was carried to “Abraham’s bosom.” He was placed with the greatest of God’s people— Abraham. Isn’t it good to see these two names together? Lazarus, a former beggar, and Abraham, a former man of wealth, both in the same place.
This was a place of comfort. Abraham speaking about Lazarus said, “He is comforted here.” Lazarus, who knew little or nothing of physical comfort while he was on earth, is now enjoying to the full the comforts of heaven. He who had waited so patiently during the testing years on earth now is enjoying the reality of God’s promises.
This scene of Lazarus in glory is one of the few places in the Bible where God draws aside the veil that hides the future to let us peer in. He could have shown us thousands of other characters such as Moses, Jeremiah, or Isaiah who are also in glory but He chose to show us Lazarus. Is it not significant that when God would show us a successful man, He chose Lazarus—the missionary who never won his man. We are so prone to think that the successful men are those who have won thousands of souls. To be sure, they are men of success but they are not the only ones. Our text would teach us that Lazarus, too, was a great man for he takes his place with Abraham and yet he did not win the rich man.
Lazarus was given a great compliment by the rich man when he requested, “Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.” The rich man could now have requested any missionary to go to his father’s house but he chose Lazarus; Lazarus, who had witnessed to him at the gate, the man full of sores, the man of God whom he had rejected. Evidently Lazarus had done such a thorough job in witnessing that the poor rich man wanted him to go to his brothers. At least, in Hades he could not point an accusing finger at him and say, “Why didn’t you warn me?” Rather, he pleaded that this one-time, unheralded missionary be sent back to earth to testify again.
CONCLUSION
Lazarus’ work was done. He, therefore, could not be sent back to earth to testify to the relatives of the rich man. Someone else would have to preach the “law and the prophets” to them. The descendants of the rich man, however, are still living. More missionaries like Lazarus are needed to lay themselves down at their gates to testify to them. God is looking for more men like Lazarus, who will not despise small fields and who will testify under adverse conditions. Won’t you pray the Father of the harvest that He may send more such laborers to do His work? How about yourself as a prospect?
There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And lie called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may pass from there to us.” And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But A bra- ham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father A bra- ham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31.
Our text introduces us to a man by the name of Lazarus. A name which means, “God has helped.” This name is not common for there are only two people who carry that name in the entire Bible. Although our text does not call Lazarus a missionary, he nevertheless is just that—not only a missionary but one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived. We will, therefore, proceed to get better acquainted with him as such.
HIS FIELD
Every missionary has a mission field, that is, an appointed place where he is to serve his Lord. Some missionaries are given large fields like those in China, India and Africa where the souls entrusted to them number in millions. Other missionaries are given smaller fields with fewer souls to which to minister. Lazarus was given a very limited field —it consisted mainly of one man, “a rich man.” Even though the world was in dire need of missionaries, God had ordained that this one rich man should constitute, in the main, Lazarus’ field. The rich man’s soul was indeed valuable in God’s sight since He put forth so much effort to win it.
Some mission fields are small. There are those who have been commissioned to do their work in a Sunday school, with a class of a few boys or girls. Others may have even a more limited field. For example, some saintly grandparents, whose health forbids them to leave the house, must do their witnessing to their grandchildren and an occasional visitor who may show them some interest. Still others who have been called to serve God in the home may have even a more limited field.
The field that God gives should never be despised because of its size. We are told that “he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” (Luke 16:10).
How would you like to have a one-man mission field? It would take more grace to be faithful in such a small field than in a larger one. It is interesting to notice that Lazarus, as far as we know, never complained about his field of service. He could say with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).
HIS HEALTH
A missionary’s health is very important. No mission board wants to send a candidate out to a mission field who will not be able to hold out physically. For that reason, many prospective missionaries do not pass the rigid physical examination and are rejected.
Lazarus’ health was poor. God had so ordained that this missionary should live in a frail body, “full of sores.” Pain and suffering were common to him. Abraham said of Lazarus that during his “lifetime” he received “evil things.” He knew what it was to like awake nights and suffer.
Why some of God’s people should have weak and broken bodies while others have the best of physical health is a matter for God Himself to decide. If we can glorify God better in physical weakness, then let us pray for grace to say with Paul, “I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
It isn’t likely that Lazarus was good looking. The running “sores” would have disqualified him from any beauty contest. Had his picture been put on a poster or handbill, it no doubt would have been repulsive to some. He would have made a poor prospective candidate to serve in a modern church. Had the rich man had a chance to choose his own spiritual adviser, he surely would have cast his vote for one with better looks. It is God, however, who calls His workers and He uses an altogether different system. “The Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). It does not appear that Lazarus ever complained about his health.
HIS SALARY
Most people are vitally interested in their salary. Their one concern seems to be what they will get in return for their services. Missionaries, too, must live, so most mission boards stipulate a set salary.
Lazarus’ salary was small. We read that he desired “to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.” He didn’t desire to live like the rich man but only to get some of the crumbs. Lazarus was satisfied to get what others did not want. His menu was indeed modest. I’m sure he knew what it meant to tighten his belt.
Lazarus was a beggar. All God’s servants are beggars in one sense of the word. They have nothing in themselves and are entirely dependent upon the Lord to sustain them. Therefore, they come daily to the throne of mercy and plead for help. There they also plead for other souls who do not care about their eternal salvation. Their entire life becomes one of asking or to put it stronger, begging. Often, less sympathetic people call God’s people beggars. They accuse them of always begging—first for this cause and then for some other cause.
Most missionaries live off the crumbs. That is what is left after we are satisfied. We, like the rich man, usually take good care of those within our own households and then toss the crumbs to the missionaries. It takes no grace from God to give the crumbs. We would throw them away anyway, therefore, we steer some of them to the cause of missions and get as our reward a relieved conscience. Missionary Lazarus did not complain about his salary; he took what he got and said nothing. Truly, “there is great gain with contentment.”
HIS FRIENDS
One of the missionary’s greatest temptations is to become lonely. Even though there may be hundreds and thousands of people milling around him, yet there come times when Christian fellowship is at a premium. Rebellious thoughts can then come that otherwise would never enter his mind. Therefore, it is always good to have Christian friends to turn to when the going becomes difficult. To meet a Christian when you feel lonely is, indeed, tonic. No one has ever complained of getting an overdose of this. Therefore, missionaries crave all the Christian fellowship that they can find and long for more.
Missionary Lazarus had no friends as far as we know. Had there been some, they would not have let him lead a beggar’s life. It is true, there must have been those who helped carry him out to the rich man’s estate and laid him there at the gate but whoever did the job soon forgot about him. You know, the easiest people on earth to forget are the missionaries. When once they have been helped to their field of service, it is so easy to leave them there and not even contact them any more—-to say nothing of remembering them in prayer.
God arranged it so that “the dogs came and licked his sores.” Even though Lazarus was competing with them for the crumbs still they befriended him to the extent of licking the matter off his festering sores. What an opportunity this would have been for someone who wanted to serve God, to have come before the dogs to this place and extended a hand of love to Lazarus. May we never forget the words of Jesus when He said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matt. 25 :40). Perhaps not too far from where we are there is some lonely Christian who is in dire need of encouragement. At our gate, also, lie many opportunities. Hands of need are reaching out to us for aid that we may sustain them so that the cause of Christ can still live on. Will we, like the rich man, starve them at our very gates? It is challenging to observe that Lazarus never complained that he had been left in such a lonely place.
HIS PULPIT
Every true pastor and missionary loves his own pulpit. Effort is put forth to arrange everything so that when the message is given, conditions are at their best. Churches are constructed so as to create an atmosphere of worship. Songs are sung, Scripture read, and prayer is offered so that the setting may be the most favorable.
Missionary Lazarus did not have that setting, however. His pulpit was the gate. He witnessed under discouraging circumstances. He had to make the best out of the few moments allotted to him as the rich man came and went through this narrow place. He surely must have been time-conscious as he spoke forth the Word to this busy rich man.
The average man would have given up in despair. Not so with missionary Lazarus. He saw no results of his work, yet he kept on. He had been divinely called and was determined to be faithful until death. He could say with Paul, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20 :24).
No efforts were put forth by Lazarus to get moved to another place of easier service. His name, which meant “My God has helped,” was a good reminder to look always in the right direction for His guidance. It was God who had chosen his field of service and he would not make an effort to leave—no, not even under the most discouraging circumstances. Lazarus was not of the complaining kind—he stayed where God put him.
HIS DEATH
The day came when Lazarus died. “It came to pass that the beggar died.” Notice that the last reference made to him on earth is as a beggar. He died while at his post. Nothing is said about his funeral. In fact, it doesn’t even say he was buried. It does record about the rich man that he “died and was buried.” Evidently the funeral service was of no importance, that is, if there was one. No letters of condolence were read at his death. No memorial funds were gathered to keep his name alive. It is unlikely that any church, school, hospital, or institution of any kind has been named after him.
When Lazarus died he “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” Angels were at hand to carry him through the “valley of the shadow of death” so he need “fear no evil” (Ps. 23:4). Angels are at hand in the moment of death to escort God’s people to their heavenly home. What a glorious moment death must be for a child of God. No wonder the scripture tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15), for “He will be our guide for ever” (Ps 48:14). Some of the departing saints, during their last moments on earth, see the angels come for them. They even tell those who are standing by them what a glorious sight this is. The bystander sees nothing but realizes from the expression on the face of the departing one that it must be wonderful.
HIS REWARD
Lazarus was carried to “Abraham’s bosom.” He was placed with the greatest of God’s people— Abraham. Isn’t it good to see these two names together? Lazarus, a former beggar, and Abraham, a former man of wealth, both in the same place.
This was a place of comfort. Abraham speaking about Lazarus said, “He is comforted here.” Lazarus, who knew little or nothing of physical comfort while he was on earth, is now enjoying to the full the comforts of heaven. He who had waited so patiently during the testing years on earth now is enjoying the reality of God’s promises.
This scene of Lazarus in glory is one of the few places in the Bible where God draws aside the veil that hides the future to let us peer in. He could have shown us thousands of other characters such as Moses, Jeremiah, or Isaiah who are also in glory but He chose to show us Lazarus. Is it not significant that when God would show us a successful man, He chose Lazarus—the missionary who never won his man. We are so prone to think that the successful men are those who have won thousands of souls. To be sure, they are men of success but they are not the only ones. Our text would teach us that Lazarus, too, was a great man for he takes his place with Abraham and yet he did not win the rich man.
Lazarus was given a great compliment by the rich man when he requested, “Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.” The rich man could now have requested any missionary to go to his father’s house but he chose Lazarus; Lazarus, who had witnessed to him at the gate, the man full of sores, the man of God whom he had rejected. Evidently Lazarus had done such a thorough job in witnessing that the poor rich man wanted him to go to his brothers. At least, in Hades he could not point an accusing finger at him and say, “Why didn’t you warn me?” Rather, he pleaded that this one-time, unheralded missionary be sent back to earth to testify again.
CONCLUSION
Lazarus’ work was done. He, therefore, could not be sent back to earth to testify to the relatives of the rich man. Someone else would have to preach the “law and the prophets” to them. The descendants of the rich man, however, are still living. More missionaries like Lazarus are needed to lay themselves down at their gates to testify to them. God is looking for more men like Lazarus, who will not despise small fields and who will testify under adverse conditions. Won’t you pray the Father of the harvest that He may send more such laborers to do His work? How about yourself as a prospect?
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