Major Dalton - July 28, 2024
A Zombie Evangelist
This week, we will be looking together at the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. And I want to share something right up front. This story is not about Hell! Sure, Hell is one of the scenes, and it is a terrible scene. But it is not the star of the story. Often, when we read this parable, we are tempted to focus in on the attributes of this place of judgement. But Jesus did not tell this story as a commentary on Hell. He told this parable to answer a very important question. "Has God done enough to prevent people from going there?" Richard Dawkins was once asked what he would say If, when he died, he found himself standing before God. Dawkins quickly responded by paraphrasing Bertrand Russell, "I would say 'Sir, why have you taken such pains to hide yourself?'” That sentiment can be seen in the request of the Rich Man. "I beg you," he ask Abraham, "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" (Luke 16:27–28). Maybe his family would respond to a message preached by a Zombie Evangelist. The Rich Man in this story wanted Abraham to do for his family what had not been done for him. Something powerful. Something miraculous. Something that provided undeniable proof. Jesus tells this story to prove that this is exactly what God has done! And still, people don't believe. Join this Sunday as we discover why.