Transition of Authority
Luke 16:25
25But 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.
The Rich Man’s lifetime refers to when the Rabbi’s, priests, and Pharisees sat in Moses’ seat. This was their lifetime, their time of rulership, Matthew 23:1-2.
1Then spake Yeshua to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
As leaders, they received good things. However, what did they do with it? They did not feed the hungry nor help the diseased. They would not minister to the ones without hope, the Lazarus.
The transition has occurred and Lazarus is being comforted. The lifetime of Lazarus is discussed in Romans 11:25.
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
It has been the times of the Gentiles for the last 2000 years. But, there is a warning for them too, Romans 11:20-21.
20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
It is a warning for the present church to be a lot more loving than the Pharisees and Sadducees. Religious leaders need to listen to this warning. God watches how the sheep are treated, Jeremiah 23:1-2.
1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Yehovah. 2Therefore thus saith Yehovah God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Yehovah.
Yeshua added to this in John 21:17.
17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Yeshua saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
It is no wonder that Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:1-4.
1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Peter took to heart the words of Yeshua. To be an elder or leader in the church, is not to live the high life, it is to serve the sheep, Mark 9:35.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
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