The Right View of Life

 

Luke 16:19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Jesus began the story by giving a name to the beggar. He calls him “Lazarus,” which means “God is my help.” But He did not give the rich man a name. So, Jesus cares for the poor and helpless. He knows their names and elevates their position. The rich man, however, was suppressed although he was well-known in his community.

The story does not say that the rich man was a treacherous person or a murderer or anything like that. So, what was wrong with him?

Verse 19 depicts the rich man as wealthy, powerful, dressed up exquisite clothing, (purple robe and fine linen are equivalent to today’s designer brands), and feasting every day. In those days, the rich would hold sumptuous feasts to establish patronage to display their wealth, and do net working with other rich and famous people.

In verses 20-21, we find Lazarus, the poor beggar, at the rich man’s gate. In contrast to the rich man’s splendid apparel, Lazarus was covered with sores and filth. So, we observe many contrasts here.

The rich man is depicted as being “active,” constantly throwing feasts. Lazarus is depicted as being “passive,” helplessly laid at the rich man’s gate in order to pick up the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.

Anyhow, the nameless rich man ignored Lazarus. He did not inquire of Lazarus’ situation nor did he invite Lazarus to any of his feasts. The dogs, deemed unclean by the Jews, however, came to lick Lazarus’ sores. This scene emphasises the poverty, marginalisation, and misery of Lazarus.

The Scripture is silent on whether Lazarus was a godly person or whether he did good deeds. Additionally, Lazarus was not given a single line of dialogue in the story. This shows that Lazarus was only a supporting role. In contrast, the rich man talked a lot. He is the protagonist; we shall focus on him.

Three verses 19,20,21, pass quickly and, 22-23 tell us that the rich man and Lazarus were both dead. Lazarus was carried by angels to be placed in Abraham’s bosom. Before, he was placed at the rich man’s gate. The rich man, on the other hand, received a proper burial but found himself suffering in Hades!

While they were alive, there was much inequality between the two. Death was the great equaliser and great turning point, launching a reversal of one’s life!

An overview of the story shows that the emphasis is on the fleeting nature of the rich man’s glory in the present life. We know this because the story allocates only three verses to this part (vv. 19-21). In comparison, the story spends ten verses on the eternal blessings enjoyed by Lazarus in the afterlife (vv. 22-31).

The rich man’s purple fine linen was symbolic of his material glamour. But his days of seemingly endless splendour and feasts passed away rather quickly. Now, he discovers that he does not occupy a special place with God.

Lazarus was hungry when he was alive on the earth. Now, he finds himself enjoying a feast in the bosom of Abraham. In the past, Lazarus was marginalised and lonely. Now, he is seated next to the great Abraham. In the past, Lazarus was in a humble state. Now, he is distinguished.

Verses 24-26 also stress that the rich man was situated beyond a great chasm which no one can cross. He could only watch the feast from afar like an insignificant person. This echoes Lazarus being cut off beyond the rich man’s gate while they were alive!

The fates of the rich man and Lazarus are completely reversed! This reversal is even apparent in the order in which the characters are mentioned. In the present life, the rich man is mentioned first. But in the afterlife, Lazarus comes first. In the afterlife, Lazarus became prominent instead.  

When the rich man sees Abraham from afar and notices Lazarus in his bosom, he thinks that God will have mercy on him based on God’s covenantal relationship with Abraham. So, he calls 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” (v. 24).

The rich man pleas for Abraham to take pity on him and show mercy but did the rich man take pity on the destitute and helpless while he was alive?

“Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed,” replies Abraham, “In order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us” (v. 26).

Now, the rich man cannot even request for a drop of water to cool his tongue. At least, Lazarus had dogs licking his sores. Paradise and Hades are so near yet so far! Now only does the rich man see Lazarus. He did not see Lazarus while he was at his gate! The rich man chose to be separated from Lazarus in the present life; so, he must continue to be in this state of separation after death. This is an irony!

Then, the rich man remembers that he has five brothers who are still alive. So, he makes a second request to Abraham, asking him to send Lazarus to warn his brothers so that they will not suffer the same fate (vv. 27-28).

The rich man in this point of time still thinks of Lazarus as a lowly person whom he can just send around to serve his needs. The rich man has a hardened heart, not compassionate and gracious at all.

But Abraham says, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.”

The rich man does not concede the point. He insists that Abraham dispatch Lazarus to warn his brothers for resurrection of the dead Lazarus could impress his brothers to repent.

Abraham says to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

How is it that nothing would change even if someone should rise from the dead?

If we return to verse 19-21, we will discover that the disparity in social classes. Apparently, the rich did not want to associate with people who are of a lower class or whom they consider to be unclean. And too, the rich man’s heart was hardened and merciless toward Lazarus. They did not notice Lazarus though he begged and even died at their gate. Thus, even if the beggar would rise from the dead, they would still not notice him.

Besides, the rich man and his family did not consider someone like Lazarus to be a truthful witness, since he is from the lowest strata of society. Lazarus was a person of no substance. A beggar who rose from the dead would still only be a beggar. The rich would not pay attention to him.

The fates of the rich man and Lazarus were completely reversed because the rich man was wealthy but merciless. He disregarded the Moses’ Law, lacked compassion and his heart was hardened. Thus, he was judged by God.

Moses and the Prophets taught the rich man to show love and compassion toward the poor (Deut. 15:1-11; Isa. 58:7). If the rich would obey Moses and the Prophets, they would not need Lazarus to rise from the dead. They would naturally approach the poor, build a relationship with them, and help them.

Given that Jesus himself had died and rose again, we can further understand this story with new insights.

Lazarus actually represents (being a type) Jesus Christ who came to suffered, be rejected by the rich and famous Jewish leaders. Jesus then died and rose again to provide salvation for those oppressed by sins and injustice of the world. Lazarus also represents all those who suffer in this life but yet awaiting redemption by God. There is glorious hope for them to be in God’s kingdom if they are reconciled with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

In the preceding text, Luke 16:14-15, tell us that this story was told by Jesus to the Pharisees. The rich man who did not pay heed to Moses and the Prophets actually represents the Pharisees who opposed Jesus. They did not care for the poor and needy, neither receive Jesus because they did not seriously listen to Moses and the Prophets.

Later, these religious leaders would not believe in Jesus even after He rose from the dead. They were deceived by the wealth, status, and power of the world. Jesus would rise from the dead and be exalted by the Father, but these religious leaders would be judged.

Jesus was warning them that if they did not repent and reset their priorities, which was to accept Jesus as Lord and Christ and to take care of the poor and needy, then they too would suffer the fate of the rich man. Purely being the descendants of Abraham would not help them in anyway.

The rich man and his family in this story had no hope because Lazarus did not rise from the dead to witness to them. Their hearts were hardened. However, we who are readers of this story today are full of hope.

Abraham rejected the rich man’s request but God answered ours by raising Jesus from the dead and He revealed the truth to us today. We also have the whole Bible to unveil the salvation and teaching of Jesus Christ. Thank God for such a blessing and privilege granted us today.

Application

Those who have not received Jesus Christ and have not placed your trust in Him are now presented with a golden opportunity to do so. Come, accept the free gift of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross today. You will be saved, reconciled with God. You will inherit eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Besides, we should open up ourselves to reconcile with others around us and build a relationship with them regardless any class or racial differences. All of us are called by God to build relationships with others, live a life of fellowship, and put into practice the great commandment of loving God and loving our neighbours (Mark 12:28-34).