"The Rich Man and Lazarus" drawing by Eugène Burnand, 1899. © Musée Eugène Burnand, Moudon
Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented… Luke 16
Every Day Presents Situations That We Can Pass By Or Respond To
These are uncomfortable situations, situations we would prefer to ignore and forget. They exist, however, and for each instance we are faced with the choice to pass by—ignore God’s kingdom-call to serve—or do something about it.
Luke 16: Poor Man, Rich Man
Luke 16 is about a poor man, someone who is the least of the least and the poorest of the poor, being daily ignored by someone who has the most, measured my today’s standards of position and wealth. These are extreme differences, of course, and much of life does not present us with such dramatic choices. For this reason, however, we also must be vigilant for the commonplace situations we face daily, those to which we have become hardened; Christ resides here as well, for there also is pain.
The rich man who has all passes by the poor man who has nothing. It is likely this is a daily occurrence lasting, perhaps, for years. What is even more disturbing is that this happens at the gate (door) to the rich man’s house. The poor man dies and is brought to heaven. The rich man dies and is bought to hell. Why?
Heaven And Hell Are A Matter Of Response
Read the entire chapter for the richness of details with all its nuances. But the bottom line is this: be aware and respond. Do we share what we have or do we close our eyes, consumed by our own comfort? It is our obligation—we who have much—to share in the pain and want of those who are needy. If we fail in this obligation we condemn ourselves to eternal torment.
The irony is that we are all poor and needy in some way, needing from others what others need from us. Our need may not always be obvious, for we have become masters of disguise. But needy we are, and thank God that we have a God who provides for us through the actions of others.
We Are All Needy; Thank God For His Love
So, let us understand that we, too, are the poor man at the gate. And as we have been provided for by others through the love of God, let us also be the ones who provide, lest we condemn ourselves to eternal torment.
Comment on the drawing from Christian Art
“It is important to note that the rich man’s sin was not his wealth. Wealth, in itself, is not condemned. His failing lay in his indifference and in his blindness to Lazarus’s suffering, despite seeing him at his gate every day.”
Personal comment on the drawing
There is an entire message concerning the dogs. Look at their expression. They show kindness, understanding—even a type of love. They are more caring and responsive than the rich man. They also look as straggly and needy as the poor man with whom they are bonding. What a condemnation to those who pass by—less worthy than a stray dog.
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