NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
LESSON 6.—FEBRUARY 8.—ALLEGORY OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.
13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.” 14 “And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all 15 these things; and they scoffed at Him. And He said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is exalted 16 among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the Gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth 17 violently into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass 18 away, than for one tittle of the law to fall. Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery. 19 “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in 20 purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day; and a 21 certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; 23 and the rich man also died, and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, 24 Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they which would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us. 27 And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house; 28 for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
What rule of service did Christ here lay down? How was the message received? What vice was rebuked? To what lengths had this covetousness led? Matt. 23: 14; 21: 13.
Before whom did these people seek justification? How differently does God look upon a self-seeking life? What is the successful financial career? 2 Cor. 9: 8, 9.
What are the chief characters in this parable? What was the rich man’s manner of life? In neglecting Lazarus, what precept did he violate? Matt. 22: 39; Lev. 19: 18.
In process of time what came alike to the rich man and the beggar? See also Ps. 89: 48; 49: 6-12.
What vice was this parable designed to rebuke? How does it picture the reward of selfishness? What request is put in the rich man’s mouth? Of what is he reminded? What had his manner of life forever fixed between himself and the righteous?
What final request is ascribed to the rich man? How was it answered? What is the highest evidence for truth? What will judge every selfish life in the last day? John 12: 48.
NOTE.
1. THE allegory, in which natural objects or people are represented as acting or talking, often in a manner that would be impossible in actual life, was a familiar means of illustration in olden times, and is here used to point the warning against selfish living. Let not the purpose of the allegory be missed by turning the lesson into a discussion of the state of the dead. At most a few references only will be needed in case any are not familiar with the Bible teaching on this subject, as, for instance, man’s condition in death (Eccl. 9: 5, 6; John 11: 11, 14); when the dead will be awakened (Job 14: 12; John 5: 28, 29); when only the righteous and the wicked will in fact view one another’s reward. (Rev. 20: 5, 7, 10.)
