“But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”
Luke 16:31
While speaking of the Law, the Prophets and the Kingdom through the Lazarus and the Rich man parable, Jesus says these words of Abraham to some Pharisees and His disciples present there. Through the verses of this parable, we might have heard more of being helpful to the poor, the needy and so on. But another main frame that Jesus has shown here is, the marvellous miracles, signs and the testimonies go in vain, if one does not hear and believe in the word of God in the Law and through the Prophets.
Yes, people believed in Jesus’ name when they saw the signs which He did (John 2:23). But among the disciples who followed Jesus seeing the signs, many went back in disbelief when He told them about the things written in the prophets (John 6: 60,66). We may have experienced people eagerly seeking for the signs of healing, deliverance, prophetic words for their future, family, nation and so on, but go back in disbelief when they see no external signs or when the opposite happens. Also, there are some people who still won’t be convinced with more signs and wonders even if they saw them as they had hardly heard and believed in the Word of God. In Romans 10:17, we read that hearing the Word of God creates the faith in the truth unto salvation, and a sign may or may not have a role in it.
One of my aunts felt so lonely after the demise of my uncle, her son and daughter-in-law lived separately and adding to her burden and pain, the news of her second grandchild diagnosed with blood cancer made her completely helpless. She sought her help through the Word of God shared in the “Paul School of Deliverance” conducted by the Army of Jesus, her son and daughter-in-law got together and glory to God, her grandchild also got cured from cancer. The signs did encourage her belief, but the Word of God convinced her. Now, even in her illness, though the recovery is not as expected, instead of seeking for more signs, she is happily living by faith in the truth that made her free.
Having the Word of God, we should live by faith in God’s Word and not as a result of an experience, an angelic appearance, or even someone returning from the dead. Even heaven and earth may fail, but not one dot of the Law to become void (Luke 16:17). As soldiers in the Army, let us put our focus on the Word of God, and also be concerned about the people whom we preach, to make them walk in faith and not by sight.
Sol. Aphirancy