Jesus is at it again! I tell you – he changes everything! And usually with a simple story. Before us, we have a story of “contrasting characters.”
As we have discussed before, Luke tells us more about money and wealth than any other Gospel writer.
Jesus is exposing the problems that lie behind “the love of money.” We know that the Pharisees were supposed to “love money.” But this is not about them “specifically” – rather it is about “what” money can do to YOU and YOURS.
One is very rich, the other is very poor. These are extremes.
One wears purple (the color of royalty) and the finest of linens, the other, barely nothing at all. One feasts sumptuously – daily, while the other has nothing to eat.
One is an insider, the other an outsider. One is clean, the other ceremonially unclean. One lives in opulence while the other is destitute in their poverty.
One is considered highly honored and respected for his wealth – the other is considered to be of less value than a common homeless street dog.
One resides in a gated community, the other is literally unceremoniously dumped outside of the gate – or thrown there in the hopes of being seen or fed.
The rich man would have been considered good and godly. God had deeply blessed him. He was to be favored by God and by others.
The poor man – Lazarus was a sinner. He received what he deserved. He was not favored by God, and maybe even despised. He was forced into a life of begging.
The vision of the dogs licking Lazarus’ sores may appear to us to be the final indignity.
But there is another possibility.
It could infer that the dogs are more compassionate than the rich man. Dogs lick their own sores and there is some evidence from “the ancient world” that the saliva of dogs was considered to be medicinal.
So, in other words, Jesus is reversing and revising the assumptions and the judgments of the crowd.
The dogs act compassionately towards Lazarus, while the rich-well-to-do-and-well-fed man does not.
There is a fascinating change in the story-line when both individuals die.
Did you catch how the rich man died and was buried…but there is no proper burial for the poor and the despised.
Lazarus parts company with the wild-street-scavenging-dogs and joins the angels.
You think you know what will happen, but you are in for a bit of surprise!
Lazarus the poor man, actually ascends with the angels to be with Father-Abraham – while the “rich man” is tormented in Hades.
This was more than a reversal, this was a huge shock to anyone in listening distance.
The rich were expected to be in paradise while the poor were expected in Hades.
Whatever happened to the rich being blessed and the poor being cursed?
The contrasts continue…one is being tormented, the other is not.
It is interesting because the rich man calls Lazarus by name. So he did know who he was.
Funnier still, the poor man is named – the rich-well-to-do-man is not.
The rich man still treats the poor man like a slave or a servant – even though their roles have been reversed.
The one thing that we are supposed to walk away – as a result of hearing this story – is there should be a heightened sense of urgency of the need to “act” in this lifetime. To do – what we can.
The rich man and his brothers are NOT condemned because of their wealth, but because they were indifferent to the plight of the poor – and did nothing to relieve their suffering.
They thought only of themselves.
At parables end: we are to ask ourselves. How do we use the gifts that we have been given? What about our time? What about our intellect or our practical abilities?
Where is Lazarus at our gate? Down the street or across town? Under a bridge or at a stop and go light holding up a cardboard sign? Or, is he possibly half way around the world? Or across the river, or on the other side of the tracks?
Just how will you fare? And what is it, that is all important to you?
Feel the urgency…the clock is ticking…