November 26, The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31
The broader context for this passage is the entirety of chapter 15, the three parables of lost things (sheep, coin, and sons), and the Pharisees grumbling about Jesus spending time with sinners. The more immediate context has to do with money. The parable of the Unjust Steward challenges us to use our earthly riches to benefit others and in so doing put our treasures in heaven. Notice, verses 14 and 15, “The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.”
It almost appears to me that this parable is an explanation or example of the Parable of the Unjust Steward. A couple thoughts on this idea: 1) The Parable of the Prodigal Son almost seems to explain or give human examples of how God might view us in light of the lost sheep and lost coin. 2) Some question whether the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a parable or a true life story. No names are given in parables. 3) This is what might happen if we do not use our wealth for others.
The rich man did not use his earthly wealth to help others. The poor beggar, Lazarus, was not benefited by this man at all. When Lazarus dies, he goes to Abraham’s side. The rich man had no rewards in heaven and ended up in Hell. The word is Hades, a place of the unsaved dead, where they possibly await the final judgment and hell. Notice Hades is described as a place of torment and hot fire. In the judgment passages, Jesus does not usually distinguish between this time and that time. All time seems immediate to God. To the thief on the cross, Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” To Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ tomb, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
The request to have Lazarus sent back from the dead to warn the rich man’s brothers in very interesting. There was a man named Lazarus who was raised again from the dead. But this might mean nothing for Lazarus may have been a very popular name. Abraham, speaking as the voice of God, replies, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them…If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
Jesus did come and was raised from the dead. Those who hearts were hardened did not repent and were not convinced. John 3:16-18 tells us that those who believe receive eternal life, but those who will not believe will perish. They perish because the light has come and they loved darkness rather than light. The miracle of the resurrection of Jesus will not save those who refuse to believe.
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.’”—Luke 16:19-31
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