Today’s gospel reading gives us that well known story of the rich man and Lazarus. Goodness, surely a gospel for our times that speaks into our context here in Peterborough hugely. I don’t think any of us can fail to recognise that there are many, many, Lazarus’s on our streets and in our doorways.
Sadly, poor, famished, emaciated Lazarus, living outside the gates of the rich man’s house, a man that would be satisfied with even a crumb from the rich man’s table. A man with open sores on his body, so raw that even the dogs lick them – dies, and we are told he is carried away by angels.
We learn that the rich man, who isn’t even given the dignity of a name in the gospel, feasts sumptuously every day and squanders his money on purple clothing. Due to the lack of purple in nature to use as a dye, this material would be the most expensive money could buy – so we can see that he is clearly very wealthy. But this man barely noticed Lazarus. It wasn’t that he exploited or oppressed him, the simplicity is that he went about his life and just didn’t notice him. He probably didn’t even know this name.
We might even wonder if it was his dogs that licked poor Lazarus’ wounds. In reality, the rich man chose not to notice Lazarus.
Does this story make us stop and think today? Does it play on our conscience or make us think back to how we’ve reacted to the Lazarus’s we’ve come across?
I know that if we go into St John’s early in the day, our access is often impeded by folk struggling for warmth, huddled in sleeping bags, probably hungry and thirsty – they can’t be ‘content with food and clothing’, as we read in 1 Timothy, because they don’t even have that.
Last week a couple huddled in the north porch were struggling with sores on their bodies – what could I do in the here and now to help them?
However, this gospel has so much more to tell us. We find that the rich man does indeed know Lazarus’s name – stuck in the heat of hell he is forced to use it when he looks and sees Lazarus seated beside Abraham.
Desperate for refreshment in the heat he calls out “Father Abraham send Lazarus to dip his finger in the water and cool my tongue.” He is quickly and decisively told – “No!” That he has had his riches on earth, whilst Lazarus had an evil time and must now receive comfort.
Even now, desperate in the heat, the rich man cannot see the error of his ways, he is still self-absorbed, making demands of others – still believing that Lazarus is only fit to be his slave – whilst in the distance he sees Lazarus, scars healed, hunger abated, thriving in eternity.
The fact that the rich man was still clinging to his former status, even in the heat of hell, clearly meant that he had no intention of turning to God and no intention of changing his ways. Meanwhile, humble Lazarus, who had nothing, accepts the grace of God, and is accepted into heaven.
Is there a message here in how we might come before God?
There is no denying that money and material goods can make life comfortable, we might even say they are necessary to allow us to carry out our day-to-day roles, but 1 Timothy is clear about seeking out riches – ‘those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.’
We all know that age old saying, from that reading: ‘we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it’ – certainly, one often quoted by my Mum when new things appeared in the house!
But isn’t it more about how we use our wealth and our privilege?
When we come across a ‘Lazarus’ what do we do? Do we move them on or walk past, ignore them as they mumble those words, “Any change please?”
Do we become self-righteous and opinionated and reason with ourselves that they have chosen that way of life, that they have no right to be in the doorway of the place I want to enter?
Or do we offer something? A smile, a comment, something to eat or drink?
When we come before God, will our consciences be clear, will our hearts be full of the love and kindness we have shown? Or will we still be clinging to our worldly stuff; will we have full hands but empty hearts? If we use even some of what we have for good, surely, we will be able to come humbly before God with empty hands, asking for his blessing?
And it isn’t just material things. We might have little and feel compelled to keep hold of it, especially as the cost-of-living soars, the economy struggles, and unexpected government budgets are announced – especially ones where we’re told that the richest 10% are set to benefit most – and it is sensible to be careful. But do we try hard to look at ourselves, to see ourselves as others see us, do we think about how we act?
Are we full of pride and self-importance? Can we be a little mean spirited at times? Do any of us relate to that rich man, just not noticing what was right in front of his eyes?
We hear towards the end of our gospel reading that the rich man was forced to begin to consider others. In his eternal torment in the heat of Hades he asks for Lazarus to go to his five brothers to warn them, so that they too will not end up in hell. But he is told by Abraham, they must listen to Moses and the prophets. The rich man insists that it must be someone from the dead, but Abraham is adamant, if they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, then they will not be convinced by someone risen from the dead.
Is Jesus reminding us here of his own resurrection and of the many that did, and do still, doubt his existence?
Suddenly the focus of the message seems to have changed. We might not doubt the existence of Jesus, especially as we are gathered here as Christians – but do we listen to him? Do we mirror ourselves on him? Are we sometimes guilty of treating Jesus like the rich man treated Lazarus – simply not noticing him, and letting our humanness take over?
God notices the poor and the vulnerable; Jesus’ ministry was to those on the fringes. God wants us to mirror that, to accept all as equals, to offer hospitality to all, but especially to those that God notices, loves and who, in this life, live with nothing.
But let us not forget the rich man – and of course also his five brothers. He didn’t have Jesus in his life, so in reality, he lived with nothing and then continued to do so in eternity. As Christians we can and do listen to God; we can develop a holy habit of prayer and listening and aim to do what He wills for our life.
In 1 Timothy we heard these words: pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness – wow, imagine what life would be like if everyone turned to follow Jesus and pursued these!
We are the wealthy ones – whether we have material wealth or not, because we know Jesus. We are the ones wearing the purple robes of royalty, we come together and feast on bread and wine as we are filled with God’s grace. Therefore, let us seek out the lost ones who are looking for something, something that we have. Let us share our faith, through actions, through fellowship and through giving of ourselves. Amen.
Service: Reverend Rebecca Yates 25th September 2022. (St John The Baptist Church Peterborough UK)
Referenced Scripture: Amos 6:1a, and 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31
