The story of the rich man and Lazarus places the dead Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham in order to show that he went home to an eternity of comfort and peace (Luke 16:22). After all , Abraham was father in the flesh to the Jewish people. It made sense for Jesus to reference Abraham when describing eternity for the Jew.

But we are not Jews. We are Christians.

Nevertheless we too have an eternal home of peace and comfort awaiting us, but it is not in the bosom of Abraham. It is in the bosom of Christ. Paul describes the desire of all of God’s people to leave this world and be “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Recall also that Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he would be with Him (Jesus, not Abraham) in Paradise (Luke 23:43). It is with Jesus that we have our spiritual relationship, Thus it is with Him that we will find eternal rest and peace forever.

I can’t think of a more comforting thought than that!