Luke 16:19–31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’
Reflection
Now, I don't know about this rich man, if he was a good man or not. But, it aggravates me that even while he is in Hades, he assumes the right to order the poor man, Lazarus, to come to his side and cool his tongue because he is in agony. If the rich man wants to treat the poor man, Lazarus, in this way even after death; how did he treat Lazarus in life? Next, the rich man requests that Abraham send Lazarus to warn his brothers of the place of torment. This rich man must presume that he can order poor Lazarus around throughout eternity!
This passage is a story of the fates of the rich and the poor being reversed in the next world. A world where a great chasm exists between those in heaven as we would say today and those in hell. I don't know if heaven and hell were literally meant, but it does point out a great divide between two places. One place with the angels of God and the patriarchs of the faith and one place of torment.
This story eludes to the belief that the rich man did very little while on this earth to ease the pain and the suffering of the poor man, Lazarus. But, when Lazarus died he ended up at the feast of heaven with the angels and Abraham. When the rich man died, he ended up in hell. The rich man shouted out to Abraham across the great chasm seeking help, but Abraham could not, or would not, offer any help to the rich man.
But, what about my brothers, the rich man inquired. Could they be warned of hell? And the answer came back. They have been warned. Look at what God shows us even in Old Testament books. It's not our position, it's not our riches, it's not our power that leads us to heaven. It is God that leads us to heaven. We can only trust and have hope and faith in God to be rescued from our sinful state and our selfish being to be taken to heaven. It's not our actions that take us to heaven. We can't get to heaven on our own. It's God's action that takes us to heaven.
If people shut their ears to God, not even some person returning from the dead, such as the poor man Lazarus, can take you to heaven. Only God can take you to heaven. Look to God for love and mercy and seek forgiveness in the here and the now, the today and this moment, for God to be gracious and merciful and slow to anger to take you to heaven. Repent and turn around... NOW!
The message is clear and right before the eyes of those Jesus is speaking to through this story. Jesus is the way to heaven. Jesus is God's Son sent to rescue us from our sinfulness, our selfishness and take us to heaven. Not Lazarus, but Jesus will take us to heaven. Jesus IS God. And Jesus is the way. Listen to him! Listen to God's Chosen Son! Hear him and follow him to the place of Abraham, Lazarus and God.
Prayer
Lord, may I, in this life, see across that great chasm to eternity with you. May I see and follow your will and your way. Take my life and make it yours that I may live with you. Use me this day to proclaim your glory and your power and your grace and your love for all people. May all look to you and place all hope and trust in your actions that we may have eternal life beginning today... continuing tomorrow... and on forever. --- Amen
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