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Sermon summary
The way we look outwardly can cover up what we are really like. But here Jesus teaches that death exposes the truth. Once more, his story challenges his hearers who boast of keeping God’s law but fail to see their sin: the Pharisees (v14). It opens with a very wealthy man who looks like he comes from a posh group whom the Pharisees disliked: the Sadducees. This man has a good life, but outside his gate a religiously unclean and hungry beggar (Lazarus) is licked by mangy dogs and ignored by the wealthy house-owner (v19-21). However, when the two men die, their lives are reversed: the poor one has comfort and the rich one, misery (v22-23). Now the Pharisees will have enjoyed this: the Sadducees denied any afterlife or punishment, so the rich man’s comeuppance will have pleased the Pharisees. But they will not have been so happy about Lazarus: why should he be welcomed as Abraham’s son when God had cursed him in this life, and given him a servant’s name (see Genesis 15)? And they’ll have realised Jesus was getting at them for despising his poor and troubled followers. Jesus’ story carries on, however, and turns the screw further. The rich man asks for relief but is told it’s not possible because he’s receiving what he’s due and, anyway, a chasm separates them (v24-27). So the man pleads for Lazarus to talk to his living brothers because they will not listen to God’s law alone. But Abraham says even that won’t work (v27-31 – just as some will later ignore the risen Jesus!). And by now the Pharisees will have been sure Jesus was speaking of them. He’s earlier applied God’s law to them and warned them God is not pleased. But they’ve ignored Jesus, behaving just like the rich man and his brothers. So, effectively, Jesus’ story says “you may boast of being Abraham’s son, due to inherit God’s blessings, but in fact you are in danger of losing everything, as is seen in your ungodly attitude to money, marriage and, especially, my needy followers!” Well, Jesus’ story is a powerful challenge about how we behave. However, although it uses Jewish ideas which are not taught elsewhere in the Bible (such as the role of Abraham and conversations between the dead), we must also take seriously its underlying principles about the afterlife. Defiance to God leads ultimately to misery and ruin. Death will expose our true selves, as outward things are removed and our hearts are seen for what they are (Heb 9:27). Then fair punishment will follow which is based upon how we’ve lived (Lk 6:38). The rich man wanted a selfish life, separated from Lazarus and not listening to God. At death he received the full outworking of that, and found it to be miserable. Yet the saddest part of the story is the man’s failure to change: even in torment he makes no apologies, having only self-pity: his choices have ruined his soul. What comes after this life flows from what we are now (Mt 16:26-27). Jesus’ words warn us to seek forgiveness and change from him, today.

Suggestions for further thought
(1) God has held off from us all that we deserve and given time for us to repent and find forgiveness. Give thanks and praise to Him for such generous, loving mercy.

(5) Read Luke 14, seeing the humility and generosity of spirit which Jesus teaches. Who do you know in need? What could you give to others? Pray for help to live in kindness.