Unconvinced

Q: What is the meaning of Rich man and Lazarus in Lukes Gospel?

A:  Thank you for your question. The meaning of the Rich Man and Lazarus story is that it is a metaphor for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and salvation. In the very last verse of the story, Abraham says, "‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (Luke 16:31).’” The response of Abraham is a prophetic inference to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Rich Man is in Hades and the gravity of his situation was motivating him to ask if Abraham would send Lazarus back and warn his five brothers of the consequences of unbelief. In Luke 16:30, the Rich Man said to Abraham, "‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'" Repentance is often thought of in terms of turning from your sins and not committing them any longer. However, in terms of salvation, repentance is turning from unbelief in Jesus Christ to a saving faith in Him. The only sin that separates man from God is unbelief in Jesus Christ.

Very few unbelievers believe that a person can return from the grave, much less a man who is God in the flesh rising from the grave after dying for their sins. Furthermore, how many unbelievers would admit they are sinners in need of redemption? In fact, many unbelievers are just like the Rich Man was during his lifetime. "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day (Luke 16:19)." Many unbelievers, like the Rich Man, are focused on the things of this world. Like him, they are concerned with accumulating wealth so they can wear fine clothes and live in luxury every day. It is not a sin to have fine clothes or live in luxury, but like the Rich Man, these things can become all consuming and the only focus in life. Eternal things are the last thing on the mind of those concerned about being rich and the things it can buy them. Is it any wonder Jesus Christ said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21)"? The Rich Man was storing up treasures on earth because that is where is heart was and neglected storing up treasures in heaven.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, is more than just His conquering of death and proving His deity. His resurrection is salvation. Mankind is more than just sinners in need of forgiveness. More importantly, mankind is spiritually dead to God and need in of His life. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was God offering His life to the spiritually dead as a free gift to all who would receive it by faith. All mankind is born spiritually dead to God in the image and likeness of Adam. The sin of Adam caused God to remove His life from Adam that was breathed into him at his creation. God lovingly desired to restore His life to man, but first had to deal with the sin that caused Him to remove His life from Adam. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was the only man born with a life to offer God that would be accepted as payment for our sins. Now, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God can once again indwell those who come to faith in Jesus Christ for eternity because there is now no sin that will cause Him to remove His life. That is why it is called eternal life. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this (John 11:25-26)?"

"Do you believe this?" is the question that faces an unbeliever. Do you believe you are spiritually dead in your sins? Do you believe that Jesus Christ paid for your sins with His life on the cross? Do you believe that He was resurrected from the grave to offer you His life? These are the questions that must be answered because they have eternal consequences. The Rich Man was not concerned about any of this while He was alive. He was only concerned with himself and his earthly riches. One has to wonder how the Rich Man's five brothers would have reacted if Abraham had sent Lazarus to them to warn them of his fate. Would they have listened? Given how so many today don't believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there isn't much hope to believe they would have been any different. Without the resurrection, there is no salvation. That is why Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)." If you don't have His life you cannot come to the Father. And His life is only available through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace.