The Gospel according to Luke tells the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. There was a certain rich man who lived in splendor everyday and a certain poor man named Lazarus who laid at his gate covered with sores.Lazarus longed for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.From Hades the tormented rich man looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus far away. The rich man requested that Lazarus be sent to quench his thirst because he was in agony. Abraham reminds the rich man that in his life he received all good things and Lazarus bad things and now their roles have been reversed. Abraham also tells him that it isn't possible for Lazarus to cross over to where the rich man is. The rich man makes another request; that Lazarus be sent to the rich man's living brothers to warn them of this place of torment. Abraham tells him that his brothers have Moses and the Prophets to listen to. The rich man says that his brothers won't listen to the Prophets but they will listen to someone who has returned from the dead. Abraham tells the rich man that if his brothers won't believe Moses, neither will they be persuaded by someone who rises from the dead.
The passage says Lazarus was carried to Abraham's bosom and the rich man died and was buried. The rich man's after life condition sounds dismal right away. I find it interesting that the rich man (RM) recognizes Lazarus. Apparently RM knew Lazarus' name and was aware that he laid at his gate. He also must have been aware of Lazarus' condition in life and although RM could have helped Lazarus he never did. Because he knows who Lazarus is, he asks him for a favor. Wow! That's a lot of ego! When RM is told he favor won't be granted he makes a second request on behalf of his brothers. I wonder if this is the first caring thought he ever had for someone else? RM believes that his brothers will be persuaded by someone who has risen from the dead. Abraham essentially tells RM that his brothers have the truth already at their disposal and if they don't choose to believe, a return from the dead won't persuade them either.
How can Abraham be sure that a message from beyond the grave couldn't persuade someone enough to change their life? Why does Abraham tell RM that his brothers have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them?
The point I take from this passage is that; there is no amount of external persuasion that can circumvent our personal will to believe. Spiritual awakening ultimately comes down to our right and ability to freely choose. As Paul writes; "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Phil. 2:12. We as created beings, with free will, have the ability to recognize our Spirituality and it's Source. The many teachings and messages we hear need not, and should not be accepted blindly. Each of us can and should decide their validity based upon our direct experience.
Our path to awakening isn't a set of step by step instructions where we get a standardized product at the end. It's so much more than simply reading, listening and intellectual understanding. Our path is a personal journey of exploration, experienc, choice and belief. Ultimately it is our personal choice to believe or not believe, to spiritually grow or not to grow. There will never be a strong enough argument to convince one who doesn't want to be convinced. There will never be a satisfactory explanation to someone who chooses not to hear. Our belief is a choice, an exercise in free will; and free will must exist in order for love and faith to exist.
With respect to someone returning from the dead; Jesus did that...and still there are those who don't believe. Why? It's their personal choice.
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