Lessons from Lazarus: Luke 16
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And 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 hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”(RSV)
There are some Parables of Jesus that just rip at the heart bringing a flood of tears to the eyes. This is one of the most emotionally intense situations in scripture. It holds some very severe warnings.
Our task is to shed light on the emotional aspect of the situation. In order to do that, there are a couple of things we need to bring to memory.
Have you ever been in a position where you experienced extreme wealth? It does not have to be in terms of having a lot of money rather a time when you were well off in comparison to others? If so, you will be able to sense the state of the rich man.
On the other extreme, have you been practically destitute? I most certainly have there were times I had to go to the church pantry just to have food for my family.
So review both of these experiences then you are ready to be a part of this parable that Jesus told.
Speaking of Jesus, he most certainly lived both of these extremes. As a child growing up, there is no doubt that he suffered extreme mental anguish at the hands of others. Moreover, he experienced firsthand hades, for after his death, he went there to preach.
So notice the rich man. Odd is it not that Jesus did not even name the man. Perhaps to allow us to place ourselves in the role more easily. In terms of today, this man is a party animal. With food and drink stack so high he could hardly use it all.
Moreover, he had the best clothes to show off to his friends. These were not just ordinary brand labels. They were clothes fit only for a king; in fact, only kings wore these purple-dyed robes. Cost wise they would have run in the neighborhood of five-year wages; in fact, they were not even available on the open market.
In sharp contrast, we have Lazarus’ clothing at best in rags, starving to death, probably just skin and bones. He most certainly is disabled, for he has to be carried. He longs for a decent meal. Have you ever been in this predicament? I have and still experience the emotional consequences. Remember that old adage “water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink? So it is here food, food everywhere but not so much as a drop to eat.
Besides starving to death, he is covered in hideous sores. But now there is a reckoning. They both die. Now things are reversed. But wait a minute two things are said which grab our attention..
Remember, this rich man was not accused of being a bad person just that he ignored the suffering of Lazarus. The character of the man now makes itself known. He demands that Lazarus leave his comfortable place and go warn the rich man’s brothers! What, you must be drinking too many cokes, the man still wants to exercise authority over Lazarus.
Well, Abraham correctly tells him that it is not possible then adds this sentence. “Even if he returned, they would still not listen to him.” The man now tries to contradict Abraham! Tells Abraham. No. But Abraham insists that it is impossible.
Wait a minute. Do what? Lazarus did return from the dead! (John 11:38ff) Guess what they tried to kill him! Even Jesus, after death at the hands of wealthy gentlemen, goes and preaches to the dead. (I Peter 3:18ff). Many still rose up against Jesus.
