Dives in the Under-World
“Son, remember.” — Luxks xvi. 25.
HE words are put into the mouth of Abraham; but Abraham is here the representative of God; God is the real speaker. They are supposed to be spoken to a human soul in the scene of punishment. In this connection, many have been struck with the word “remember”; it suggests the continuity of memory in a future life. But to me the powerful expression is the more neglected one — the little word “son.” That a man in a state of retribution should experience the burden of memory is not wonderful; retribution demands memory. But that a man in the scene of retribution should still be addressed as a son of God — that is a startling thing. It is as beautiful as it is startling; it is as true as it is beautiful. Wherever you and I may
pass at death, we shall never pass out of the
Divine fatherhood nor out of the Divine pity. The man in this parable who is meeting retribution is not punished by his Father; he is punished by his sin. If a child, in disobedience to an earthly father, goes near a fire and gets burned, you would not say he was punished by his father. It would be more correct to say that his father shared in his penalty. The sense of human parentage is never. so strong as when the father realises the child’s pain; it immediately becomes his own pain. So is it with the Divine Father. The filial relation is not broken when I burn myself; no flame can consume that cord. Paul asks, “Who can divide us from the love of God!” I do not think a place of retribution can. Very finely does this narrative suggest that, however wide the gulf between Dives and Abraham, there is a chain across it. Sympathy can bridge it; there is a telepathic communication from soul to soul. Dives holds fast by the Divine Fatherhood; the Divine Fatherhood claims Dives as still a son.
My Father who art in heaven, by this name shall I ever know Thee. Whither shall I flee from the presence of Thy fatherhood! If I ascend up into heaven, it is there; if I fly to the limits of the earth, it is there; and even if I make my bed in hell, it is there also!
34. DIVES IN THE UNDER-WORLD
My darkness cannot cover me from Thy fatherhood; my sin cannot make me less Thy son. Go where my spirit may, it will never get beyond Thy pity. It may get into the prison-house; but Thou wilt not be its gaoler. Is it not written that the spirits in prison received a message from Thy crucified heart. Blessed message — for them, for me! It tells every Dives in every hour of penalty that Thou canst span the gulf which Abraham cannot span — that fire cannot melt the golden chain of Thy compassion, nor distance break the bond that bids Thee call him son.