Reversal

Introduction

When I was a child my brother and I played a game that we called ghost. It was a game that we played indoors and in our room. I’m not sure the origination of the game but on rainy days and at night were the best times to play the game. It didn’t last long because our parents made us stop. My brother and I shared a room growing up. It was to say the least a tight space. We had bunked beds, a chest of drawers, and a desk and chair in the room. One of us would be the ghost. The ghost would have a blanket or quilt placed over the head so as to inhibit sight. The other person was to escape the grasp of the “ghost.” What made the game more challenging was to turn off the lights in the room. So the “ghost” really couldn’t see. With arms outstretched the “ghost” would walk around the room usually bumping into objects trying to find the victim.

It is amazing how a game like “ghost” results in realizing that what one sees in the light one is not able to see in the dark. What is worse is not seeing in the light. A car accident and the person at fault might easily say “I just didn’t see the other car.” How is it that we can miss 2 tons? Or to see a person who is in need and intentionally ignore that person, to act as if you do not see that person. There are all kinds of blindness, and a game to reduce sight for fun pales in comparison to the one who chooses to ignore what is going on so that discomfort is set aside. In our study today we will be reminded that choosing to be blind to the discomfort of one results in our own discomfort.

A Parable

This is a parable. It begins in the same way as the parable in 16:1-15. It also builds on the previous parable by continuing the thought about wealth. Some want to use this parable to gain insight into how the next world operates. Some point to the use of a specific name, Lazarus, in the story as indication that this is not a parable. It seems that to build a case on an exception is dangerous; furthermore, one must be careful about building an explanation about the afterlife on a single event. Perhaps the strongest evidence exists that this section is part of a well-known story during the days of Jesus. Jesus takes this well-known story and uses it to make a spiritual application.

There is a wealthy man. His outer garment is purple; his undergarment is fine linen. This man wears only the best. No chaffing for this man. The word for gate is a palace gate. At this very wealthy man’s ornate gate is a man named Lazarus. Lazarus means “God helps.” This beggar is brought to the gate each day. Surely a wealthy man who has only the finest will help a man who has the worst that life has to offer. Lazarus is a pitiful sight. He is either paralyzed or crippled since he is brought to the gate and cannot chase away the wild dogs who are looking for scraps and lick Lazarus’ sores.

Lazarus looks for the crumbs from the rich man’s table (this word is left out of the NIV). Anything would do. Time passes and Lazarus and the rich man both die. Lazarus awakens to find himself beside Abraham, a place of great blessing and favor. The rich man awakens to find himself in Hades, the realm of the dead. The NIV translates “hell” based upon the image of torment in fire. The rich man has one request—a drop of water. A drop of water equals a crumb. The roles are now reversed. The rich man has gone from a life of self-indulgence to a life of anguish. Lazarus has gone from a life of anguish to a life of comfort.

Just as the rich man refused to help, so now he is refused help. So there is a second request: send Lazarus to warn his family. No one should find themselves in this place of torment. Warn each one. But that request is refused as well. All the warning anyone needs is found in Scripture. Even raising someone from the dead is not sufficient evidence if a person’s will is already set against the teaching of God through Moses and the prophets.

Points

There are two points to get from this story.

First, wealth brings responsibilities. The rich man feasted every day while Lazarus was outside his palace porch waiting for anything that might be given to him. Lazarus isn’t able-bodied. He depends on others to get him to the house. He can’t even shoo the dogs away. But the rich man ignores him. This is what brings about the rich man’s demise. The rich man isn’t condemned because of his wealth but because of his callousness. He refused to respond to the suffering that he saw. He chose to be blind to what was right in front of him.

The parable is here to complete the idea that began back in chapter 15. God is generous and gracious. His generosity extends beyond restoration of one who leaves him. His generosity extends to those who are poor. Ignoring the poor and living self-indulgent lives demonstrates that one is not in tune with God. The result is depicted—self-indulgent now means separation later. The agony of Hades was not merely the fire; it is knowing that opportunities were wasted and that others will follow because of self-indulgence.

Our congregational vision is to help the poor. But congregational vision aside, this parable illustrates that we each individually have a responsibility to open our eyes to those who sit outside our palace gates. Some may want to help with the food bank in Memphis. Some may want to assist the Union Mission. Some may want to help in a soup kitchen. The point is to help.

Second, the basis of faith is found in Scripture. The rich man in Hades suggests that something monumental is needed to convince his family to change their ways—some vision, some experience, some miracle. The parable highlights that the basis of faith is not in a vision or experience but in Scripture. It isn’t the experience which convinces but the will of a person to trust that which has already been given. In other words, faith is about the will.

The Pharisees demanded a sign and when Jesus gave them one they refused to believe in him. When a sign was given and people professed faith, Jesus commended the ones who believe without a sign. Faith is about the will. To trust God because of what he has already said through Moses, the prophets, and his Son, Jesus is sufficient to bring faith if one is willing.

The rich man wanted to warn his family. The refusal actually became fulfilled for we have through the parable the warning. What is your will? To help or to be self-indulgent? Jesus emptied himself and became a servant. We can do no less.

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