Lazarus

The parable that Jesus told about the rich man and Lazarus is as follows:

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.

“The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.

“The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 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.’

“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. 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.’

“He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers — that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’

“He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

“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.’ (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus told this story about a rich man for whom every day was a feast and the poor, sick Lazarus who longed for the crumbs from the rich man’s table. Jesus confers dignity upon the indigent and infirm beggar by giving him a name while leaving the prominent tycoon nameless, thus hinting at the impending reversal of fortunes.

Eventually both men die and both men are in Hades. For Lazarus, death is a place of comfort, but for the rich man death is a place of torment. They are both in death (Hades), but they experience it quite differently.

We see much of the rich man’s problem in his disdainful attitude toward Lazarus. He doesn’t deign to speak with Lazarus directly but addresses himself only to Abraham.  He still views Lazarus as an inferior being. …We can imagine Abraham shaking his head and muttering, “He still doesn’t get it.” In short, the rich man has still not learned to love, and in this loveless state, his soul finds nothing but torment.

How do I read the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? 

Being a Christian means I can no longer pretend that I don’t see Lazarus lying at my door.

Not long ago I saw a homeless man panhandling at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. For all I know his name could have been Lazarus.

I gave him a few dollars. A police officer saw what I did and told me, “You shouldn’t give him money. He’ll probably just spend it on booze or drugs.” 

I told the officer, “When I give money to the homeless, I don’t do it just for them; I also do it for my own soul. They can spend it on whatever they like, but I cannot afford to ignore them.”

Yes, I also support credible organizations doing good work to help the homeless, but I know I can’t afford to pretend I don’t see Lazarus. Jesus teaches me that ignoring Lazarus is the road to the hell of a tormented soul…and I don’t want to go there.

[The above consists of excerpts of “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God” by Bryan Zahnd]