Did the Rich Man Notice Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) ~ Christine Malkemes

The Word:

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 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. Luke 16:19-21

Contemplative Reflection:

Immediately, Jesus introduces us to two men who live in the same place. One a no-named rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. One is well dressed, and the other is dressed in sores. One is well-fed; the other wishes to be fed. 

The dogs licked the poor man’s sores. At first grant, we feel sorry for him. However, science has proven that the enzymes in dog saliva help destroy cell walls of dangerous bacteria. The dog’s saliva is anti-bacterial and anti-viral. The dog’s licking his wounds promoted healing.

The dogs notice Lazarus?

In those days, there were no forks or napkins. They ate their food with their hands. In the most wealthy homes, they used hunks of bread to wipe their hands before throwing them out. This bread was what Lazarus would eat.

Did the rich man notice Lazarus?

Jesus doesn’t allow us to spend much time on this situation before introducing us to their souls. 

The poor man died, and so did the rich man. The angels carried the poor man up to Abrahams’s side. The rich man died, was buried, and suffered in Hades.

Sheol or Hades is the place of the dead. They were there because of what they did on earth.

What about Hell?

As a side note, the Bible continually warns us about a place called hell. Hades is hell. There are 162 references in the New Testament alone and over 70 spoken by Lord Jesus Christ alone. 

The rich man was looking for relief and asked Lazarus for help.

But Abraham said, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you, a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from here to us.

Luke 16:25-26

What about the Body and Soul?

We live lives as if we have a body that owns a soul. The truth is we have a soul that owns a body.

Some people are hell-bound, and others are bound for heaven.

Even if a man is raised from the dead, they will not change. Many people deny the validity of heaven or hell. Some believe all souls go to heaven. This parable teaches us the existence of the lost and the saved. The rich man and Lazarus continue to exist: one in comfort and the other in misery.

 Is God’s Word Sufficient?

God’s word is sufficient to tell us the truth about what happens in the unseen world.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us to His glory and excellence, by which He has granted us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

II Peter 1:3-4

What was the Sin of the Rich Man?

Lazarus remained in pain and hungry every day at the rich man’s gate. The rich man passed through the gate every day without even a second glance at Lazarus. 

What earned the rich man his fate was not that he kicked Lazarus out or didn’t throw him leftover bread from his table. Instead, his fate was sealed because he didn’t care enough to see Lazarus as a human being with human needs.  

The rich man did not notice Lazarus. 

How Now Should We Live?

Notice the people around you. Are they in need? Are you the only one who could meet that need, or do you know someone who could help them?

Ask Jesus to open your eyes to His will.