“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,” Luke 16:19-20 ESV
Reflection: why does only the poor man have a name?
Areas of this country have recently been hit with devastating disasters; hurricanes, floods and fires. Tens of thousands have lost everything, including their homes and loved ones. And yet means that were planned for such disaster help, and could have been used to ease their suffering have being directed elsewhere for political gains, possibly even for corrupt purposes. An example that has been well documented showed funds taken away from helping these citizens in dire need, to instead put illegals into luxury hotels. Regardless of our thinking on immigration, not helping our fellow citizens in distress to score political points is certainly wrong.
With all these recent domestic and world events, we get a front seat to witnessing the character of many people. Some brave and good people drop what they do to help those in need. But sadly we see fraud and abuse of money, corruption and lies. We see some being made very rich and powerful on behalf of the suffering of others, even in war. It is not new; it is the character of man being revealed. Bible commentator MacLaren wrote
“Character makes destiny, and to live for self is death”.
He made this observation as he was commenting on the parable found in Luke 16:19-31, known as “The rich man and Lazarus”. I highly recommend taking a few minutes right now to read through it. It is a strange parable, as it can easily be twisted into a story about so many things, including details about the afterlife.
But if we look at this parable in context, remembering that Jesus was talking with the self righteous and money hungry Pharisees, we can better understand what Jesus wants to convey here, in particular about the afterlife. According to MacLaren, the imagery used was common as Rabbinical legends. Jesus is using this to illustrate points; not as revelation for the afterlife. A couple of points for us to consider from this parable today.
First, it is very interesting that the poor man is given a name in the story. Lazarus. The name means “God is help”, which may indicate that, in life this poor man clung to his hope in God. Or said in an other way, he had a relationship with God. He was known by name (remember, it is Jesus who is telling the story). We see the very opposite with the rich man, who had no name, no relationship with God. He was completely focused on self. On maximizing the enjoyment of life, in fine clothes and dining. He was so selfish that, even if he saw this poor man at his own gate, he didn’t lift a finger to help him. Those in need are not difficult to find. They might even be “at our gates”, our neighbors and friends. Or in a neighboring state that has been devastated by a disaster. Children who desparately need our protection and help in this evil world.
Another important lesson in the story is about the rich man’s excuse for being selfish, once he understands what it leads to or “reaps the fruits” of it. He basically says “if I had only known about heaven and hell, then I would have made other choices, lived differently”. But, as MacLaren points out, we all have as much witness about heaven as we need. And Jesus said here that, even if people see some raised from the dead, they will not believe. Strong words.
It is a very powerful parable, with many lessons for us to consider. Jesus made it clear that it matters how we live this life, as he also pointed out ““Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33 ESV. The character being revealed through fruit. MacLaren wrote the following summary, “The rich man is in torment because he lived for self. Not because he did not know that it was wrong, but because he did not choose to do what he knew to be right.”