"If You Only Knew"

Another song from Saturday was originally from the Rochester Family, “If You Only Knew.” When looking for the lyrics, I found the Rochester Family video on YouTube. There were related videos of the family there, too. I sure wished then that I had better speakers on my computer!

In case you don’t get to hear it, the song speaks of someone wanting their loved ones to know that prayers were answered. They are no longer ill. But instead of the healing expected, they went home to be with the Lord in heaven.

Except for Christ’s return after his resurrection, there’s not a Bible story that speaks of someone returning. There is, however, the story of someone wanting to return – or at least send a message.

Luke tells the story of the beggar Lazarus. He certainly didn’t want to return. The rich man didn’t end up in the same place, but he could see Lazarus:

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. (Luke 16:22-23 KJV)

Water. Just a touch of water on his lips, was his request: 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. (Luke 16:24 KJV)

Abraham explained that could not be done: 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. (Luke 16:26 KJV)

Apparently the rich man loved his family, for: 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. (Luke 16:27-28 KJV)

He plead again, but the answer remained the same as: 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. (Luke 16:29-30 KJV)

Abraham knew that those who would believe do so, and those who will not cannot be convinced:
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:31 KJV)

And, they have not. Christ rose from the dead – having told before hand that he would, and having fulfilled numerous prophecies. Today He is often ignored or His followers dealt with in derision.

May we never hear the cry from someone we know: 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. (Luke 16:24 KJV)