This is another lesson told by the Lord Jesus: “There was a certain rich man which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously [feasted]every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”
The rich man had the very best food and clothing; purple was then worn only by the very wealthy, because of the expense of the dye, and he wore purple. He must often have seen the sick, helpless man lying at his gate waiting for any scraps of food thrown away. But he never seems to have helped him, for the poor man was so uncared for that dogs were allowed to bother him.
The Soul After Death
After a time the sick beggar died, but notice who knew where he was lying; he “was carried by the angels” to a place of rest. Someone buried his body, but his soul, which does not die, was taken to be with those who believed God, as Abraham did (Genesis 15:6).
The rich man also died, and was buried, no doubt in a very grand tomb. But his soul was not at rest, for Jesus said, “He lifted up his eyes ... in torments.” He had not believed God on earth or he would have been with Abraham. But he could see Abraham afar off and Lazarus with him, and he cried to Abraham, “Have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue.”
When the sick man lay at his gate, he had not helped him; after death the rich man was the one to beg for help. But Lazarus could not be sent. Abraham said that between them was a great gulf, or chasm, which none could cross.
Next the man asked for Lazarus to be sent to tell his brothers on earth, “lest they also come into this place of torment.” Abraham answered that they had the words of Moses and the prophets to tell them. Yet the man begged that if they heard from one risen from the dead, they would believe. But Abraham said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Those are the last words of this lesson in which the Lord Jesus taught so plainly the necessity of believing the words of God while on earth. There was no hope of peace after death for one who had not believed those words on earth.
And their souls were not asleep, as some say, but conscious. The poor man who had believed, had comfort; the rich man who had not believed, had torment. Those “flames” were not as fire on earth, which can be put out, and show continuous suffering.
The words of God refresh the soul as water refreshes one who is feverish, but none of God’s words could be given to the man who had not cared for them on earth. The Scriptures written by Moses and the prophets told the need of One to save from their sins and gave promise of His coming; this the rich man neglected.
Further Meditation
1. Who knew where the beggar’s dead body was?
2. What does a soul experience after death?
What Scriptures describe what is happening?
3. A challenging but helpful booklet on this subject is The State of the Soul After Death by J. N. Darby.