The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. (St. Luke 16:19-31)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. The rich man, with all his fancy clothes and lush lifestyle, dies and goes to the torment of hell. The poor beggar desires nothing but crumbs as the dogs lick his sores. After he dies, the beggar is lifted up by the angels to the bosom of Father Abraham.
This parable is for our salvation. The problem with the rich man wasn’t that he was rich, but that his riches took his eyes off the Word and his neighbor. He had time for all sorts of rich and important things, but didn’t have time to hear the Law and the Prophets nor did he have any time for Lazarus.
There was One, Who was testified about by Moses and the Prophets, who did cherish the Word and not only cared for His neighbor, but also lived for His neighbor. He was despised and rejected of men. There was nothing about Him that we would esteem. He lived a perfect life in our place and took upon Himself all our sins and died. After three days, He rose.
Jesus’ rising from the dead doesn’t save us. It needs to be delivered to us. The Lord has delivered His salvation to you, not only in the Law and the Prophets, but also in the New Testament. It’s not Lazarus rising from the dead that saves us from the hell we deserve, it is the delivery of the Word of God into our ears that saves us.
Speaking of Lazarus, did you notice that his is the only name we hear in the parable? The big important rich man’s name isn’t mentioned, but the poor beggar’s is given to us.
God knows your name too. He called you by name when He added His word to water at your Baptism. He has washed your sins away. You are a child of God.
With His word in your ears, there is no doubt whose you are and what will happen when you die. As it was with Lazarus, so it will be with you. You will be carried to the bosom of Abraham to be with Jesus forever. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.