Luke 16:19-31, The Storm & the Light (2)

(See previous post for information about these thoughts from D. A. Carson.)

Is the story of the rich man and Lazarus a simple “reversal” (those comfortable in this life get pain and those in pain get to be comfortable)?  No.  There are too many exceptions to this rule in the Bible, too many rich people who trusted God and poor people who were wicked.

v Contextual factors in this story.

·        The riches of the rich man should not be seen apart from the emphasis of Luke’s gospel.  In Lk. 16:13 Jesus had said no man can serve two masters and the two masters He used to illustrate this were God and money. 

·        In Lk. 16:14-15 Jesus spoke of the Pharisees who love money.  (This is part of a “minor theme” of Luke on self-justification, cf. 10:29; 18:9.)  Note as well Jesus’ conclusion: what men value highly is detestable in God’s sight. 

·        Luke 9:51 must also be part of the context of this story.  Jesus’ resolute mind to go to the cross indicates this story takes place in the shadow of the cross.

·        There is a sequence of three stories: the prodigal (Lk. 15); the unjust steward (early in Lk. 16); and this story.  All involve possessions!

v The Narrative, v19-23.

The rich man wears purple, a sure indication of his immense wealth in NT times.  He enjoyed multicourse meals and the ease associated with the wealthy.  On the other hand, Lazarus (whose name means “God helps”) is the one who is named, indicated that the rich man with all his wealth isn’t all that important.  Sitting at the rich man’s gate was the place where poor people might be cared for, if the rich were willing.  The only compassion for Lazarus came from the guard dogs.  In the after-life Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom, a picture that comes from those who would recline to eat when one person’s head was positioned in the area of another person’s chest area.

v The Dialogue, v24-31.  There are three exchanges.

·        16:24-26: The rich man still focused on his own self.  He does not repent or apologize to Lazarus but goes right to Abraham.  He wants Lazarus to serve him, the one to whom he would not even give his dogfood.  Hell is not full of people with contrition.  Abraham’s first answer is that there is a reversal of what was the case in lifetime (v25).  Then he notes the great gulf between.  Many today think God will reach out to people in hell in compassion and 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 50^th chances until hell is empty.  But note, no one can pass from one to the other.  Even those who want to go from heaven to hell! 

·        16:27-29: Still there is no repentance.  If Lazarus cannot be a table waiter then the rich man wants him to be an errand boy. 

·        16:30-31: Lastly, the rich man tries to correct Abraham’s theology.  Remember that as Dr. Luke is writing his gospel Someone has already risen from the dead, and still many did not believe.  They will always have an explanation.

v Reflections.

·        There is a sphere of rejoicing to pursue and a place of torment to shun.  Reluctance of preachers today to preach “hell” is to claim to be more compassionate than Jesus.  We are actually more “inclusive” in the gospel where the worst of sinners can be saved than most people who would “exclude” the worst of sinners (the Hitlers, etc.).

·        The things in which we take pride (such as ethnicity, money, education, good looks, etc.) may blind us to our need of His grace.  We feel “self-justified”.  We are not willing to be “Lazarus,” the one God helps.

·        God has not left Himself without witness and the most powerful witness is Scripture.