“If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”
The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man is one of the most vivid ones we have in the New Testament. There’s a lavishly rich man, miserably poor and sick Lazarus, and then even unquenchable fires of hell. And as such, it can be easy to go very much fire and brimstone this week. It can be easy to turn this text into a giant law bomb about how horrid the Rich Man is.
And that would be right – partially. If you have read Moses and the Prophets, you would know that the disdain and ill treatment of your neighbor in need is about as bad it gets in terms of “wickedness”. James and 1 John both echo this idea. There is indeed serious law to be heard in this text. However, there isn’t just one main character in this text; there is also Lazarus.
Salvation in the story doesn’t happen because one suddenly jumps through hoops and becomes more generous. We hear nothing about what Lazarus does, but rather he “receives” good things from God. That’s what faith is, trusting in God to provide for you for your earthly days (even if they are rough) and for your eternal salvation. That’s what Jesus has won for you.
And the sad thing is the Rich Man had received all that he had from God, but because there was no faith it all became an idol. He worshiped his stuff instead of using it for his neighbor, trusting that God would provide. Because that is what God does. He provides. He provides the things that we have in this life (things we use to serve our neighbor). He provides the forgiveness that Jesus won upon the cross. Indeed, the day will come when we will see that Jesus risen from the dead and face to face, and we will be fully comforted.
