Articles
Remember
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"Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.' " (Lk. 16:24-25)
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The story of the rich man and Lazarus is often used to explain the nature of the afterlife. Details like Abraham's bosom, Hades, the great gulf, torment in flames, etc., paint a vivid word picture that captures our attention. But I'm not so sure this is a valid use of the story. If life after death and prior to resurrection is a bodiless existence (2 Cor. 5:3-4; Rev. 6:9-11), then why are there so many references to body parts in this story (eyes, bosom, finger, tongue, etc.)? There is something else going on here that should occupy our attention.
This story was directed at the Pharisees, "who were lovers of money" (v. 14). Their aim in life was prestige, status, acclaim, recognition. Like the rich man in the parable, they "fared sumptuously every day." And like the beggar at the gate, the sinners "out there" were of no concern to these men. The good life they lived was all the evidence they needed of God's approval.
The story of Lazarus and the rich man was designed to puncture their smugness. Material prosperity has no correlation with God's judgment. In fact, it is often an impediment to godliness. The rich man found out too late that he had squandered his life on earth. There would be no do-over, no second chance, no opportunity to fix his mistake.
Instead, he would have the rest of eternity to do only one thing: remember. He would remember the poor beggar sitting at his gate, whom he could have helped but chose not to. He would remember the words of Moses and the prophets about loving one's neighbor and showing mercy to the poor, words that were easy to shrug off at the time. He would remember the vanity of chasing after wealth and status while more pressing needs went unanswered.
Like the rich man on this side of the grave, we too have opportunities to glorify God by using our time and resources to make a difference in the lives of others around us. If we fail to get our priorities straight in this life, we too will wake up some day on the far side of a great gulf, begging for another chance that will never come. We will have the rest of eternity to do only one thing . . .
Remember.
--David
