In Luke 16 the Lord Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. While this story is a serious warning to those who are careless in their living today, there is a real lesson in it for believers as well.

Jesus tells us that the rich man, after his death, was in torment in Hades, while Lazarus, who had been a beggar while on the earth, was resting in “Abraham’s bosom” in Paradise (v. 23; cf. Luke 23:43). When the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to comfort him, Abraham replied that he could not, for:

…Between us and you a great chasm is fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.
— Luke 16:26

This is a remarkable statement. It’s understandable, of course, that those in torment would want to cross over to Paradise, but, according to the Lord’s own word, Abraham clearly states here that some want to cross over from Paradise to the place of torment!

How can that be? Why would anyone want to leave the place of blessing and go to the place of torment?

There can only be one reason: they are saved, and yet they see the suffering of their family members, loved ones, and friends, the unsaved who are on the other side, and want to comfort them. But, as this story clearly shows us, at that time, it will be too late; after death, no one can cross over the chasm that is eternally “fixed” between the two sides, the saved and the lost.

And here is the lesson that we as believers need to learn from this story: today, we still can “cross over” to the lost! For today there is no “chasm” that cannot be crossed; it is not yet “fixed” between the saved and the unsaved. Therefore, cross over today, while there is still time!

Are you concerned for some among your loved ones, friends, relatives, co-workers, or school mates, whom you know are not yet saved? Find a way, even seeking desperately before the Lord, to “cross over” today, so that you may share with them the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring them back with you to the blessed side of life eternal!

We must not delay, for while it will be too late in that day to “cross over,” today, we still can!

Sent to our mailing list on
— 20 July 2021 —