The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

By Cal Cook

Once again I led the Bible Study at the Kiwanis Manor in Tiffin on Tuesday of this week. So I thought I would just share some of the things we covered. We read the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31

This parable has always intrigued me because it is the only parable that Jesus gives a specific name. It starts out similarly enough, “There was a certain rich man” yet Jesus gives us the name of the poor man, Lazarus. The name does mean “Whom God Helps” so it could just be another parable but it is certainly filled with vivid detail and imagery…enough to make one stop and think about the possibility of it being more than a parable. Jesus as Christ would know of all things and would have witnessed many such things from His view in eternity.

The other thing to note of this parable is that it is not given in isolation. It is actually the last of five parables given in response to the Pharisees and Teachers of the Religious Law complaining about Jesus “was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” (Luke 15:2b). The Parable of lost sheep, the parable of lost coin, the parable of lost son, the parable of shrewd manager and now parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The first two speak of the great rejoicing in Heaven when even one lost sinner repents. The Parable of the Prodigal Son as it is know also gives us an image of the great love that the Father has for us even when we turn from Him and seek out own way. It also gives us a glimpse of those who have not turned away from the Father, that they can be jealous of this great care and compassion for those who are lost.

The shrewd manager parable is a tough one! Yet maybe it can help shed light on out parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Because it specifically warns of the love of money and starts just as our parable does with “a certain rich man”. Clearly there is a connection as:

Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 

Maybe the reason for this parable is to turn the corner in the lesson, from the rejoicing in heaven and the great mercy the Father has for those who are lost to more clearly address the Pharisees own condition, as the brother of the prodigal son. The certain rich man does appear to be pointing to them and their love of the life they were leading.

The parable gives us an image of the afterlife in Hell (Hades) and Abraham’s Bosom (paradise) (vs 22-26). We get further reference to this place in 1 Peter 3:18-19 where Jesus descends into hell (prison). The Apostles Creed also includes the statement “descended into hell” placing an obvious importance to this mysterious reference. Without going too far into eschatology (the study of the end) let me just say, many believe the place referred to by Jesus in this parable as ‘Abraham’s Bosom’ was cleared out by Jesus during those three days that His body lay in the tomb and His Spirit “descended into Hell”. If that is the case it leaves me to wonder about this ‘great chasm’ placed between those in torment and those in comfort.

The most intriguing and scary part is not the chasm, but that it could be seen across! The thought of Hell is even more condemned in my eyes by the idea of seeing those who chose rightly while being tormented…it adds to the suffering for me. The other thing that is jumping out at me in the parable is this rich man who had no pity for Lazarus crying out for pity and asking for Lazarus to be sent!? As if Lazarus is still seen by him as just someone to be used or exploited…

The man had no use for Lazarus before, now he thinks Lazarus is going to be his servant? First he wants Lazarus to give him cool water and then to go to the house of his brothers. The audacity of this man is amazing! Yet isn’t that the point? The crescendo of the parable left ringing in my ears is the last line…

Luke 16:31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”