Luke 16:25-26 - Ray Nabors

Luke 16:25 (ESV) 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 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.’

Luke 16:25 (NIV) 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

Abraham addresses this individual as son, or child in some translations. Considers him as an Israelite, a descendant, maybe as an immature person, possible still very childish and selfish. He recalls for the rich man how he lived his life of great success, and how Lazarus was less fortunate, implying that the man knew Lazarus and possible the cause for his demise, and not doing anything about it. Abraham explains this is why the positions of comfort were reversed. Then it seems that Abraham almost apologizes that there was nothing he could do because of the great separation between them. Neither side could pass over to the other. It fits into the theme of the lesson. The choices, good or bad, we make definitely have consequences, good or bad, that we have to live with.

Like the story of the Mom always telling the kids every morning to make good choices.