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Luke 16:19-31
This is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury and enjoyed the things of this world but did not seek the Lord in his life; he trusted in his wealth. Lazarus had nothing in this world, but he did trust in God. They both eventually died; Lazarus was taken to heaven, and the rich man was taken to Hades. The rich man was allowed to see Lazarus being comforted in heaven while he was being tormented in Hades. The rich man cried out to have Lazarus dip his finger in water and be allowed to bring that drop of water to cool the rich man’s tongue as he was being tormented.
The answer that Abraham gave to the rich man while he comforted Lazarus in heaven was that it is impossible to go from heaven to Hades or from Hades to heaven. The rich man enjoyed the luxuries of the world while he overlooked the needs of Lazarus every day while he laid outside the rich man’s gate. The rich man will be tormented for eternity because he did not seek the Lord in his life; the only thing that Lazarus had in this world was his trust in the Lord, and now he rests in the comforts of heaven for eternity.
This is a promise and example of the sinful nature, while offering the pleasures of this world, will reap an eternity in Hades (out of the presence of the Lord).
This is a promise and example that if one will put his or her trust in the Lord while in this world, they will reap an eternity in the comforts of heaven.
We must make clear that this is not a passage condemning the rich and saving the poor. This is a passage about where one’s heart is; this is a passage about putting one’s trust in the Lord. Putting one’s trust in the things of this world will only lead to a loss of it all when one dies and finds themself out of the presence of the Lord.
Lazarus, having nothing of this world, does not automatically qualify him to be accepted in heaven for eternity. The significance of Lazarus having nothing of this world is to leave no question to anything of this world getting us to heaven. If this is true, then we must ask, “What will get us to heaven?” The only thing that will get us to heaven is the only thing that Lazarus had; his faith in God. This passage, however, does not specifically tell us of Lazarus’ relationship with the Lord, but must be accepted through his being carried to Abraham’s bosom by the angels (Luke 16:22).
The focus of the parable is the rich man going to Hades. Proverbs 14:31 teaches us that one who oppresses the poor is a reproach to God, but one who honors God shows mercy on those in need. This theme is continued in Proverbs 17:5; 22:2; 22:22-23. Even in his death, the rich man continued to see Lazarus as his servant, requesting that Lazarus do things for him so that he could be comforted in his torment. He didn’t get it. He did not see that his heart needed to change while he was still alive, for after physical death the chasm cannot be crossed over (Luke 16:26). Jesus proclaims in Matthew 22:37-40 that we should love God first and to love our neighbor as ourselves, and that all the law is found in these two commands. The rich man in this parable failed to do either, and as a result was the cause of his eternity in Hades.
Dear Lord,
This parable that Jesus teaches us is about the condition of our hearts; that we have a heart that is seeking Your will for our lives; that we have a heart that is putting You first in our lives; that we have a heart that looks not just to our own needs, but to the needs of others as well. The only way we can do this is to humble ourselves to You and accept that Jesus died for our sins and accept the forgiveness that You offer us through Him. Please help us to see that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And that there is no way to You in heaven but through Him (John 14:6). I ask the blessing of the light of Christ Jesus to shine in our lives so that we may see and live Your will for our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen.