The parable of the rich man and Lazarus may be viewed as a drama in two acts followed by a conclusion. The first scene is a presentation of life and death on earth, and the second portrays heaven and hell.
BEFORE DEATH
Jesus told a story of a rich man and a poor man.
The rich man was dressed in purple and fine linen worn by kings, and lived in luxury every day.
The second person introduced in the parable had a proper name. Jesus called him Lazarus meaning “God helps.”
Lazarus, from an economic standpoint, was at the opposite end of the spectrum from the rich man. He was living in utter poverty.
From a purely human standpoint, Lazarus was a miserable man. He was poor, hungry and in constant pain; and in order to live he had to beg for food. And the food he would receive would be the scraps from the rich man’s table that he would have distributed to dogs and beggars outside his gate.
Both the rich man and Lazarus were Jews, but the rich man ignored God’s commands to care for the poor.Deuteronomy 15:7, 11
The rich man could not have been totally ignorant of the Scriptures, for the teachers of the law diligently instructed the people from God’s law. Besides the rich man had become acquainted with Lazarus and even knew him by name.
Though the poor man was poverty stricken as to the things of this world we can only assume from what follows that he was rich towards God.
The parable tells us that Lazarus died and was carried away by angels to Abraham’s side. All bodily misery was gone, and he was in the presence of God in the bliss of heaven.
Following the death of Lazarus was the death of the rich man. His life of comfort, pleasure and wealth suddenly ended. Like the rich fool his soul was requiredof him by God. Unlike Lazarus, who was ushered off into heaven, the rich man was ushered off into hell.
AFTER DEATH
After Lazarus and the rich man died everything was different in their relationship and position.
Lazarus was given a place of highest honor next to the great patriarch Abraham (the father of all who believe, Romans 4:11). Lazarus’ suffering while on earth was not worth comparing with the glory that he was experiencing now in heaven.
The rich man on the other hand who on earth was surrounded by wealth and friends found himself all alone and experiencing the torment and agony of hell. Luke 16:15
The rich man was in torment in the flames of hell; he cried out to Abraham to have pity on him and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, because he was in agony in the fire of hell.
The rich man, ignorant of God’s word did not seem to realize that it was eternally too late for any hope of mercy. On earth he neglected to confess and forsake his sin and find mercy, and now it was too late. “It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment.”
The rich man while on earth had broken the great commandment to love God with all his heart, all his strength, all his mind and love his neighbor as himself. He neglected God and his neighbor.
Even in hell, the rich man remained unrepentant. He did not appeal to God for mercy, but to Abraham. He called Abraham his father and expected the patriarch to have pity on one of his descendants. He instructed Abraham how to show mercy and send relief: “Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.” He considered Lazarus to be a servant who could be sent at his call with the approval of Abraham.
Once more the rich man called Abraham “father” and once more he wanted to use Lazarus as his servant. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to warn his five brothers, so that they would not come to the place of torment to which he had come.
Abraham replied to him: “Your brothers have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” The rich man replied back: “No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” To which Abraham replied: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
APPLICATION
The rich man lived a respectable life, called Abraham his father, and spent eternity in hell. The poor man never opened his mouth on earth or in heaven, yet he occupied the seat of honor next to father Abraham. However one stored up treasures on earth and the other though poor in the things of this world was rich towards God.
The Pharisees were able to recognize themselves in the rich man. They had reacted negatively and angrily to Jesus’ remarks that they could not serve both God and money. By sneering at Jesus, they revealed that they were the ones who loved money.
The Pharisees were also the ones who called Abraham their father and thought their relationship to the patriarch secured their place in heaven.
So we see that the parable was addressed to the Pharisees and all other self-righteous, persons who think their position, lineage and wealth will get them into heaven.
It is also addressed to poor sinners to show that no matter your condition there is hope of being rich in Christ. Nothing in my hand I bring simply to Thy cross I cling, naked come to Thee for dress, helpless come to Thee for grace, foul I to the fountain fly wash me Savior or I die.
The parable, therefore, sounds a note of urgency for man to listen to God’s Word wisely and obediently. It directs him away from hoarding the riches of this world and calls him to be rich towards God in every way.
The parable warns us that if you do not get things right with God while you live here on earth there will be no second chances and that man’s destiny is irrevocably sealed at the time of death.
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