Pastor's Article 05-03-26

The tale of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31 is often considered one of the most tragic stories in the Bible. What strikes me as particularly sorrowful is the depiction of a man who appears to possess everything during his lifetime, yet ultimately falls prey to the illusion of success. When his brief existence ends, he is left with nothing, not even his own soul. He opened his eyes in Hell, being in a place of eternal torment. How sad to be in a place of eternal damnation forever! It is hard to imagine anyone that I know having to be in Hell for eternity. Especially knowing that God loves all people and has made a perfect way for mankind to be saved through accepting His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  That is sad, but to me, what is even sadder is that this man, while in Hell, begins to plead with Father Abraham to send the beggar named Lazarus to his five brethren. He wants to warn them of this awful place they are headed toward, too. Being in Hell is terrible, but knowing you had left a well-marked path for others to follow - and could do nothing to change your destructive legacy - is even worse. Think about it: these seem to be the only people he really loved and cared about, yet he has left them a legacy that leads them - and most likely all who follow them - to eternal damnation, with no way to set it right.
As we celebrate Family Day today, will you consider the teachings of the life you are living and simply ask yourself: For those whom you love and who are following your leadership, what does their future look like? Today is the day that you can start leading them to the right place by simply changing the way you live. Make a commitment to lead well and help others find a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus