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Nov 14, 2023 18:30pm

The Man with No Name

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Oprah. Bill Nye. Beyoncé. Steve Jobs. Joel Osteen. Richey Rich.

Okay, I just threw that last one in for my 90s kids.

Each one of these people are easily identified. They are celebrities of sorts, living or have lived lavish lifestyles, and you know exactly who they are when you see their name.

Their name means something here. With it comes fame, popularity, influence, perks and notoriety.

But what about when this life is over? What will their name mean then?

Luke 16:19-23

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

A certain rich man. He lived a lavish lifestyle. No doubt he was well-known by many because of his wealth and power. But here, in this story, he is a man with no name.

Because what seems important to this world, on this earth, in this life, isn’t what matters when you die.

Jesus is speaking to the crowd, but remember, He’s speaking directly to the Pharisees who have just mocked Him for saying you can’t serve two masters: money and God.

Here’s another indicator that this story is directed towards them. Let’s look at the next few verses.

Luke 16:24-26

“And he cried and said, 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 tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”

Notice what the nameless man calls him. He says “Father Abraham”. Now who would have said that? The Jews, of course. They were descendants of Abraham, the patriarch father. The one God made the covenant with. And look how Abraham refers to the nameless man. He calls him “Son”.

All of the Jews could say this same thing, but the point was directed to the Pharisees. Jesus was saying, just because you’re a descendant of Abraham will not guarantee you a place in Heaven.

They were convinced the most important aspects of this life were their lineage, their position, and their wealth.

But look where it got this rich man.

He was begging for mercy. He was in Hell, a place of torment, separated from anything from God – love, light, mercy, goodness… all of it.

He was desperate for a second chance but it was too late.

He begs for his family. Send someone to tell them! Save them!

Luke 16:27-30

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

The man was convinced that if someone came back from the dead THEN they would believe.

You mean, like the Pharisees believed when Jesus rose from the dead?

“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

In the world, he had been somebody. But here, in eternity, he was a man with no name.

And then there was Lazarus.

Named.

Known.

Held.

Saved.

He had nothing in this world except for his belief in the One that truly mattered: the Lord our God.

Why was his name mentioned?

Because when you are known by God, when you have put your faith in Him, your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, never to be blotted out. This is the book of all those that have repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Savior.

This is the book of the redeemed.

This is the book that records everyone who truly believes in God as their Creator and Lord.

Are you spending your life trying to make a name for yourself? Or glorifying the One who truly matters?

This life may seem like a long time, but compared to eternity, it’s nothing. Don’t remain nameless.

Trust in Christ today and He will call you by name forever.