To Live & Die Like A Bum

We all know the account of Lazurus and the rich man. Lazurus was a beggar, who pleaded with a rich man for the mere crumbs from his table, which the rich man denied him. When they both died the rich man went to hell, From his place of torment he could see Lazurus afar off in the bosom of Abraham, comforted for what amounted to a lifetime of suffering. Let's not cut corners here; Lazurus was by all practical means, a bum. He was a man who lived in extreme poverty and was forced to beg at the table of rich men just for a meal. Desperation had become the norm for him; as this was obviously something he did all the time. I think it's safe to say that Lazurus ate many meals right there under the feet of some rich man stuffing his face full of food. Think for a moment about the kind of life Lazarus led. His daily routine consisted entirely of hope! He awoke in the morning hoping he would find a rich man eating, hoping not that he would share his meal but merely the crumbs that feel from his table. I'm sure there were days when no crumbs fell or when he was driven away, regarded as a nuisance. What a life he lived.

That's not what stands out the most to me. The significant part of this account comes after he dies. Lazarus found no relief in this world. His body covered in sores, not only was he a beggar, not only was he poor, but he was physically afflicted with sores, which no doubt came from the deplorable conditions in which he lived. He died that way. Things never improved for Lazarus. He had no prominent achievements to speak of, no admirable qualities, no friends to speak of. He was alone in this world and he died seemingly alone. The Bible states the angels carried him to the bosom of Abraham!

As you ponder over your daily lives looking for some meritorious significance, think of Lazarus who did nothing but beg his entire life. He suffered and it pleased God to soothe his suffering in heaven. Who among us in this world is so accomplished, so wealthy, so educated, so successful that we could boast a life that came close to what Lazarus experienced in heaven?

Created about 2 years ago