Seeing Lazarus
Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31
Both the leaders of Israel and the rich man from Jesus’ parable knew how to enjoy their lives (see Amos 6:4-7; Luke 16:19). Unfortunately, in their pursuit of worldly pleasure, the leaders did not care about the incoming collapse of the nation (Amos 6:6), and the rich man was unable to see Lazarus, a sick beggar lying at his door (Luke 16:20). Such behavior had to have its tragic consequences (Amos 6:7; Luke 16:23).
What a strange place Hades is. There, the eyesight improves – the rich man can see from afar the one he did not see during his lifetime (Luke 19:24). There is neither lavish food nor water. There are no servants who would give a glass of drink to their thirsty master, and the orders of the rich are not being carried out (Luke 19:23-31). A strange place indeed and those who suffer from the blindness of their hearts get into it.
“For the greed of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains”(1 Tim. 6:10). This happened to the rich man from the Gospel. “Father Abraham, have pity on me” (Lk 16:24). He forgot that it was not enough to call Abraham “our father”. God demands the fruits of repentance (Luke 3:8-9). Unfortunately, the rich man did not produce such fruits. And so, the one who did not invite Lazarus for a meal (Luke 14:13) or did not even offer him the scraps from his table (Luke 16:21) was refused mercy. And yet, he could avoid this fate by opening his Bible and listen to Moses and the Prophets: “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land” (Deut 15:11); “share your bread with the hungry” (Isa 58:7).
“But you, man of God, avoid” the greed of money (1 Tim 6:11). As the bishop of the Ephesian community, Timothy was to take Christ as his example, who although rich became poor for our sake, so that by his poverty we might become rich (see 2 Cor 8,9). Moreover, like Jesus, Timothy supposed to be ready to give up his life in defence of the faith which he himself solemnly confessed before many witnesses (1 Tim 6:12-13). Paul ends this exhortation with a beautiful hymn in praise of God, who is “the King of kings and Lord of rulers” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev 17:14), the only Ruler of the whole world. Our God alone has immortality and so He can bestow it on Lazarus. He dwells in unapproachable light from which Jesus Christ comes to us in order to reveal the mystery of Triune God (1 Tim 6: 14-16, John 1:18).
The name “Lazarus”, derived from the Hebrew name Eleazar, means “God has helped”. Blessed indeed is “the one whose help is the God of Jacob”(Ps 146:5), who sent His angels to carry Lazarus to the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22). During his lifetime, Abraham had a faithful servant named Eliezer – “My God is help”, and the patriarch planned to make him the heir of his house (Gen 15:2). Now at his side is another faithful servant, Lazarus, who has inherited God’s Kingdom (Luke 6:20).
Nearly two thousand years ago, the good news that “the Lord is risen” was for the first time proclaimed to the world (Acts 2:32). The one who suffered for our salvation entered into His glory (Luke 24:26-27.44). Over centuries, this Easter proclamation has transformed the lives of many rich people who recognised in the presence of the needy the face of the suffering Jesus (Mt 25:40). Will this Gospel transform us?
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31
Both the leaders of Israel and the rich man from Jesus’ parable knew how to enjoy their lives (see Amos 6:4-7; Luke 16:19). Unfortunately, in their pursuit of worldly pleasure, the leaders did not care about the incoming collapse of the nation (Amos 6:6), and the rich man was unable to see Lazarus, a sick beggar lying at his door (Luke 16:20). Such behavior had to have its tragic consequences (Amos 6:7; Luke 16:23).
What a strange place Hades is. There, the eyesight improves – the rich man can see from afar the one he did not see during his lifetime (Luke 19:24). There is neither lavish food nor water. There are no servants who would give a glass of drink to their thirsty master, and the orders of the rich are not being carried out (Luke 19:23-31). A strange place indeed and those who suffer from the blindness of their hearts get into it.
“For the greed of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains”(1 Tim. 6:10). This happened to the rich man from the Gospel. “Father Abraham, have pity on me” (Lk 16:24). He forgot that it was not enough to call Abraham “our father”. God demands the fruits of repentance (Luke 3:8-9). Unfortunately, the rich man did not produce such fruits. And so, the one who did not invite Lazarus for a meal (Luke 14:13) or did not even offer him the scraps from his table (Luke 16:21) was refused mercy. And yet, he could avoid this fate by opening his Bible and listen to Moses and the Prophets: “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land” (Deut 15:11); “share your bread with the hungry” (Isa 58:7).
“But you, man of God, avoid” the greed of money (1 Tim 6:11). As the bishop of the Ephesian community, Timothy was to take Christ as his example, who although rich became poor for our sake, so that by his poverty we might become rich (see 2 Cor 8,9). Moreover, like Jesus, Timothy supposed to be ready to give up his life in defence of the faith which he himself solemnly confessed before many witnesses (1 Tim 6:12-13). Paul ends this exhortation with a beautiful hymn in praise of God, who is “the King of kings and Lord of rulers” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev 17:14), the only Ruler of the whole world. Our God alone has immortality and so He can bestow it on Lazarus. He dwells in unapproachable light from which Jesus Christ comes to us in order to reveal the mystery of Triune God (1 Tim 6: 14-16, John 1:18).
The name “Lazarus”, derived from the Hebrew name Eleazar, means “God has helped”. Blessed indeed is “the one whose help is the God of Jacob”(Ps 146:5), who sent His angels to carry Lazarus to the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22). During his lifetime, Abraham had a faithful servant named Eliezer – “My God is help”, and the patriarch planned to make him the heir of his house (Gen 15:2). Now at his side is another faithful servant, Lazarus, who has inherited God’s Kingdom (Luke 6:20).
Nearly two thousand years ago, the good news that “the Lord is risen” was for the first time proclaimed to the world (Acts 2:32). The one who suffered for our salvation entered into His glory (Luke 24:26-27.44). Over centuries, this Easter proclamation has transformed the lives of many rich people who recognised in the presence of the needy the face of the suffering Jesus (Mt 25:40). Will this Gospel transform us?
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
