I never had noticed that sentence, the comparison between Moses and the prophets and Lazarus, how neither would be helpful. One always learns something new, or finds something new. Now I understand this much better. Thank you.
It's crushing really that as you write "not even Jesus’ resurrection can soften those hearts hardened to the truths of God."
I believe the critical detail is that Lazarus has a name, while we never learn the rich man's name. Names represent true identity. One lived as a person, the other as a role.
Both men die. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man finds himself in Hades, in torment. He looks up and sees Abraham far away, with Lazarus beside him.
The rich man's first words. "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame." Even in hell, he treats Lazarus as his servant.
Abraham's response reveals everything. "Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish."
This point is often confused. The rich man's sin wasn't greed or pride. It was invisibility. Making another human being invisible. Lazarus was right at his gate every day, and he simply didn't see him as a person.
The hidden symbols: Purple represents royal power and opulence, fine linen represents purity, feasting represents satisfaction. The rich man had everything the world calls good. Yet he lived in spiritual blindness.
Lazarus (meaning "God helps") represents everyone society makes invisible - the homeless, the sick, the forgotten. The dogs that lick his wounds show more compassion than the rich man ever did.
As you write, we all have Lazarus at our gate. The coworker we ignore, the homeless person we step over, the family member we neglect. True poverty isn't lacking money - it's lacking the ability to see others.
The rich man's final plea: "Send Lazarus to my father's house to warn my five brothers." Abraham refuses: "They have Moses and the prophets. If they don't listen to them, they won't believe even if someone rises from the dead."
Hell isn't the rich man’s punishment for being wealthy. It's the natural consequence of living blind to those around you. True wealth is seeing every person as a person.
I never had noticed that sentence, the comparison between Moses and the prophets and Lazarus, how neither would be helpful. One always learns something new, or finds something new. Now I understand this much better. Thank you.
It's crushing really that as you write "not even Jesus’ resurrection can soften those hearts hardened to the truths of God."
I believe the critical detail is that Lazarus has a name, while we never learn the rich man's name. Names represent true identity. One lived as a person, the other as a role.
Both men die. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man finds himself in Hades, in torment. He looks up and sees Abraham far away, with Lazarus beside him.
The rich man's first words. "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame." Even in hell, he treats Lazarus as his servant.
Abraham's response reveals everything. "Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish."
This point is often confused. The rich man's sin wasn't greed or pride. It was invisibility. Making another human being invisible. Lazarus was right at his gate every day, and he simply didn't see him as a person.
The hidden symbols: Purple represents royal power and opulence, fine linen represents purity, feasting represents satisfaction. The rich man had everything the world calls good. Yet he lived in spiritual blindness.
Lazarus (meaning "God helps") represents everyone society makes invisible - the homeless, the sick, the forgotten. The dogs that lick his wounds show more compassion than the rich man ever did.
As you write, we all have Lazarus at our gate. The coworker we ignore, the homeless person we step over, the family member we neglect. True poverty isn't lacking money - it's lacking the ability to see others.
The rich man's final plea: "Send Lazarus to my father's house to warn my five brothers." Abraham refuses: "They have Moses and the prophets. If they don't listen to them, they won't believe even if someone rises from the dead."
Hell isn't the rich man’s punishment for being wealthy. It's the natural consequence of living blind to those around you. True wealth is seeing every person as a person.