Luke 16:19-31 NIV
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed
in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a
beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell
from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died
and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was
buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in
torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father
Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in
water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember
that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad
things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this,
between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want
to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn
them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have
Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said,
‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not
listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone
rises from the dead.’”
Am I Blind?
First off, all of
these words are from Jesus. Secondly, remember that this Parable of Jesus is
not meant to be theology. It’s not a study of the nature of God and religious
belief. It is a parable. A parable is defined as an earthly story with a
heavenly meaning. Jesus used parables to teach.
Now let’s deal with
some of the names. The rich man is commonly named Dives. Dives means wealthy. That
name makes sense. Dives wealth was not due to divine favor. After all Dives did
not care for the poor beggar at his gate. Like discussed in last weeks reflection,
Dives was not a prudent Steward of his age, in that he didn’t really have
compassion for the poor beggar. Dives failed to use the gifts God had given to
him to love the weak, the poor, the sick, the migrant, the homeless or even the
marginalized. Implied in this Parable is a selfish life of the rich and
famous. Dives wore nice clothes and
lived in luxury.
Now, Lazarus means,
God helps. Again, this makes sense. As we look through this Parable, we see how
God has helped and saved Lazarus. Lazarus was helped by God in an eternal sense.
Secondly let’s deal
with Paradise verses Hades. Hades is a place that the lost have chosen to be.
They have chosen to turn away from God’s gift of life and salvation in this
life. The lost make this choice on their own, on purpose, in the face of God.
God turned to the lost to offer salvation, but the lost turned away from God to
pursue their own ways. Contrast, Paradise, where the gift of life and salvation
is accepted. As God gives life and salvation, those destined for Paradise can’t
help but to respond in love towards God and by extension to all those God gives
to them in life. You know, their neighbors.
And then you have
those who don’t even bother to respond to the gift of life and salvation. Well,
no response to God’s gift of life and salvation, is a response.
It’s kind of like
Law and Gospel all wrapped together.
So, we have Dives
with the nice clothes, living in luxury in the here and now, contrasted by Lazarus,
who is hungry, needy and begs.
Dives didn’t even
notice Lazarus. Dives was too focused on himself to see Lazarus. And it’s at
this point I can learn a teaching of Jesus.
So, both men die.
And the scene changes from this world to the next, so to speak.
Dives, even while he
was in Hades, treats Lazarus, in Paradise, as a slave to be sent out to meet
his own need of water. The arrogance of Dives astounds me. Dives was still
absorbed with self.
So, for me? Dives,
do we see? To make this a bit personal, do I ignore what I do in this time and
in this place? Do I ignore what I do? Do I consider how my actions, my views,
my projects, my selfish motives, impact the lives of those on my doorstep, that
are now in need due to what I have done to bring comfort to myself, here and
now?
Or, will I wait
until too much time has passed?
My time, like Dives
time of empathy and compassion for the Lazarus’s in my life may just pass by,
if I don’t heed God’s call to action and respond to the love God has shown me
through salvation.
Yet, even in Hades,
Dives has the audacity to attempt to control Dives in Paradise, with a plea to
send Lazarus to warn Dive’s own brothers still alive on earth.
Yet, we know, that
the Scriptures are sufficient to give and build all the faith we need. Faith
freely given to us so that we can’t help but to believe and respond to the love,
forgiveness, and gifts God freely gives to us, by loving all those God gives to
us each and every day, here and now.
What do my blind
heart and my open eyes see? I see the chasms in my life. I see how things can
get turned upside down if I don’t open my eyes to the Word. The Word of God in
Christ Jesus. The Word God freely gives. It’s time for me to stop and listen
and see Jesus’ example. To stop and listen to Jesus’ teaching. This is an
important teaching. It’s vital to open my eyes, ears and heart to ALL the
people God loves. God loves more than just me.
Selfishness makes
hell on earth for the Lazarus’s in my life. If I live without empathy and
compassion; a great chasm divides myself from others in need and a great chasm
divides me from God as well.
So, in my arrogance
and blindness to those in need around me and at my doorstep of life; I need to
watch out! Respect all at my doorstep. See and love Lazarus today in a
respectable way. And, praise God for the forgiveness, salvation and eternal
life offered for Lazarus and myself… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen
I leave you with
this YouTube Music Video that speaks to this reflection
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