ARE WE THE RICH MAN OR LAZARUS?
LUKE 16:19-31
This is another one of these parables attributed to Jesus that causes consternation to preachers everywhere.
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus always preaches God's love and grace and sacrificed his life so that we all can have eternal life. Yet, this parable sounds like it belongs in the Old Testament – where God is a vengeful and cruel God, not a loving one.
However, we must understand that this is a parable—"an imaginary story…to illustrate some higher spiritual truth" . The story of Lazarus and the rich man affirms worldly and earthly possessions are of no benefit after death. People who have suffered on earth and are obedient to God's word will receive their reward in Heaven.
Part of the scripture addresses that we are 'our brother's keeper', when the rich man ignores the needs of Lazarus sitting at his gate, eating the scraps from his table. Many times we are commanded by Jesus to
'feed the hungry, tend to the sick, clothe the naked' (Matthew 25:35)
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is an excellent example of Jesus' teaching that has generated many discussions, head-scratching, and interpretations.
Let me set the stage for this parable. Luke 15 begins with some Pharisees and lawyers mingling in a crowd where Jesus had been teaching. They criticized him because he was known to deliberately spend time with sinners. Jesus responded by launching into several parables: the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Prodigal Son, and Shrewd Manager. When he taught about the shrewd manager, which touches on how we use our money and resources, Luke tells us that:
"The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus" (Luke 16:14).
This tense exchange sets the stage for Jesus' story about Lazarus and the rich man.
Jesus introduces us to two characters: an extremely wealthy man and a beggar named Lazarus; this is the only parable in which Jesus calls any of the central characters by name.
Who was this parable's symbolic rich man?
Jesus doesn't even bother to give the rich man a name in his story. Instead, he let him be a representative for all who live lifes as he did. He makes it clear that this man is living a lavish lifestyle at the expense of others. This man lived his life feasting daily, adorned in the finest clothes, including purple, which only the wealthiest could afford. This man had it made (Luke 16:19).
In stark contrast, there's Lazarus. The only thing that adorned him was sores, and all he had to eat were scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Jesus even added a detail that showed how low Lazarus was,
that dogs licked or snipped at his wounds.
This detail is significant as it would have made him unclean and unable to worship - the ultimate degradation. The only thing Lazarus had that the rich man didn't was a name. Jesus personalizes his concern for the poor man with a name (Luke 16:20-21). The word 'Lazarus' (Eleazar) means 'God Has Helped.'
To the rich man, Lazarus was just another face in the crowd, an invisible poor person who disappeared into the background of this rich man's comfortable, lavish life. This rich man became nameless; it's Lazarus, whose name remains remembered. We have been told,
‘the first shall become the last.’
Jesus wants to give us a solid understanding of this significant reversal.
These two men's lives couldn't be more different. Even in their death, there is considerable contrast. The rich man is anointed with oil, wrapped in fine linens, and carefully placed in a tomb, as was the custom.
Lazarus' body was probably tossed aside in Gehenna, the city dump. Jesus details how different these men’s lives and deaths were (Luke 16:22).
This parable forces us to reflect on how we treat "Lazarus-like" people. The rich man remains nameless, so we can place ourselves in his shoes. Let's be honest with ourselves; we probably see a little of him in our own lives. The story of the rich man and Lazarus should lead us to the question: are we like him?
The rich man knew Lazarus; he asked for him by name. He knew he was in need, but he refused to even give him the scraps from his table. Lazarus could only gather what fell. The rich man saw the need and ignored it. He had no compassion. Even in death, he still saw Lazarus as beneath him.
Now dead, we glimpse the rich man and Lazarus on the other side. But Lazarus is carried to Abraham's bosom. And the rich man goes to Hell (Luke 16:23).
They still live in contrast to each other, but now the roles are reversed. Lazarus is now living in luxury, and the rich man is living in torment. Ironically, he's still called the rich man, though he now has nothing.
The rich man is now in torment that is self-inflicted. There seems to be a moment of regret, a time when the rich man seeks forgiveness. Luke 16:24 tells us that he calls out for mercy. And we might feel bad for him… but we see he hasn't changed a bit.
The rich man asks for mercy, not mercy to be saved from his current circumstances. Instead, he asks for Lazarus to be sent to Hell so that Lazarus can dip the end of his finger in water and cool his tongue. Again, he still thinks he's more important, and he wants to be the top dog. He hasn't changed (Luke 16:25-31).
Many people reading this story of the rich man and Lazarus assume the picture Jesus is painting is hell. But this parable isn't primarily teaching about hell. Rather it is teaching about the consequences of our actions towards others.
The rich man wasn't thrown into hell because he didn't believe. He found himself in a place of torment because of how he treated others, especially Lazarus.
But God isn't the one condemning the rich man to Hell. The rich man locked himself away; he chose to go there. When there seemed to be an opportunity to repent and change his ways, he demanded that Lazarus come and serve him again. He would rather reign in torment than be a servant in God's kingdom.
Jesus ends his story with a rather sad statement, but one that will prove true. Even if someone were to be raised from the dead and provide a warning, the living would still not be convinced to change their ways (Luke 16:31). In a short time, Jesus will sacrifice His life, but that still won't be enough to make some people change their ways.
This parable shows us that we get what we ultimately want and desire in our lives. We can either reign in torment or be a god in our hell. Or we can be a servant of God and be in paradise with Him. It's up to us.
The way we treat others shows us which direction we will take. But it's not too late for us if we find ourselves on the wrong side. Unlike the rich man who refused to repent, we can see the life we were meant to have.
Faithful disciples of Christ will not ignore the suffering of the poor like the rich man in this parable did. Jesus told us that when we show mercy to the poor and help our neighbors in need, we follow His teachings. In Matthew 25:40, He tells us:
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”
I think these are Jesus' two main points in his Rich Man and Lazarus Parable:
1. Wealth without active mercy for the poor is great wickedness.
2. We're doomed if we close our eyes to the world around us.
As Christ's disciples, we must ask ourselves:
• What are we to learn from this parable?
• Are we the rich man?
• Do we treat people like he did?
• Do we have the resources but refuse to give them to others?
• Is our heart hardened towards those in need?
• Do we know we cannot escape judgment?
The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich man encourage us to examine ourselves. And as James reminds us,
"if we merely listen to the word, we deceive ourselves" We have to 'do what it says" (James 1:22)
Let us pray:
Creator of all, open our eyes to see the people you have placed in our path for us to show compassion. Stir our hearts with your Spirit to respond when we see them. Strip away the calloused and dead skin that surrounds our hearts of compassion. Teach us the best way to show your love and grace. Amen.
Delivered at Saint John's Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH; 24 September 2022
