QT: BRT: Before the gap divides
BRT: Before the gap divides
https://www.esv.org/Luke16:19—31
Week 25: 15/06/2023. Thu
BRT (building relationship time) is still possible before the "great chasm" is fixed.
Luke 16:26 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 cross from there to us.’ (ESV)
Jesus was comparing the rich man who "feasted sumptuously every day" (Luke 16:19b) and Lazarus, who was "covered with sores" and hungered (Luke 16:20). In the end, the poor man died and was carried to "Abraham's side" (16:22) while the rich man was "in Hades, being in torment" (16:23).
During his lifetime, the rich man did not wish to build any relationship with the poor man Lazarus, even though Lazarus was "at his gate" (16:20, at the gate of the rich man's house). Yet now, when life was over, the rich man hoped for Lazarus to interact with him, and also sought to have relationships built with his own five brothers by God's people!
In fact, the rich man sought out Lazarus for water and for measures to cool his tongue due to the flame (16:24). In this narrative, Abraham replied that this was not possible, because the building relationship time (BRT) was over! In fact, "between us and you a great chasm has been fixed" (16:26).
Alternatively, the rich man sought for special favours for a message to be given to the rich man's "five brothers" so that they would not end up with the same fate as the rich man (16:28). Surprisingly, Abraham turned down his request, but instead referred to the sufficiency of "Moses and Prophets"—"let them hear them" (16:29).
Appealing out of desperation, the rich man asked for a miracle—a resurrection from the dead so that his five brothers will be convinced (16:30). Yet again, Abraham pointed to the sufficiency of God's word ("Moses and the Prophets") to settle important eternal issues rather than using miracles as spectacular as a resurrection as a substitute for God's Word.
APPLICATION: Build relationships using God's Words of the Moses and the Prophets (the Old Testament) and the New Testament writers who are inspired by God. All other supposed foundations are less than ever green, less than ever reliable.
