Episode 9) Jesus’s Parables: The Rich Man and Lazarus

Let Us Pray

Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word.  We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day.  Shine your light in our hearts so we may share it with others.

In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

From the Gospel of Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰ And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹ who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. ²² The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.^[a] The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.^[b] 24 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.’ ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ 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.’ ²⁷ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ ²⁹ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ ³⁰ He said, ‘No, father Abraham, 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, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Isn’t it interesting that so many of Jesus’s parables have to do with how we treat other people?

Today, our parable once again explores the theme of caring for our neighbor, but with a different twist at the end.

First, this is not a story about the afterlife in the sense that if we do the right things, we earn our salvation and a place in heaven, while those who sin are punished eternally. Nor is this story teaching that wealth is inherently bad or that poverty is inherently good. The amount of wealth we possess is not a reflection of our character.

In his First Letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes:

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains."

The distinction here is not about having money itself, but about the love of money—how we view our relationship to wealth and how we choose to use it.

In Judaism at that time, many would likely have concluded that Lazarus's miserable condition was the result of God's punishment for sin, while the rich man's wealth was evidence of God's blessing. Riches were often believed to be a reward for obedience, while suffering was viewed as punishment for sin.

Yet in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, we hear God's command:

"Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.'"

The rich man did not open his hand to the needy. At the same time, we are not given any indication that Lazarus was particularly pious. The contrast in the parable is not based on one man's goodness and the other's wickedness.

When Lazarus and the rich man both die, Lazarus finds himself with Father Abraham, perhaps even enjoying the abundant banquet he never experienced during his earthly life.

Meanwhile, the rich man appeals to Abraham for mercy.

Yet even then, there is no repentance for the way he treated Lazarus during his lifetime.

After Abraham explains the great chasm fixed between them, what does the rich man ask?

He asks that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers so that they will not suffer the same fate.

Abraham's response foreshadows Jesus's own resurrection. Even after Christ overcomes death itself, there will still be many who refuse to believe or accept Him.

Living faithfully within our covenant relationship with God calls us to "love God and love our neighbor as ourselves."

Through the love and grace of Christ, shown to all who receive Him and seek His forgiveness, our hearts are transformed so that we can extend that same love, compassion, and grace to others.

And the good news is this:

It is never too late.

Day by day, as we journey in faith, God continues shaping us into the people He has called us to be.