is a parable people often bring up when universalism is presented because of the great uncrossable divide between hell and Abraham's bosom.
In Jesus' time, people believed that God rewards the godly with a good life and punishes the wicked with afflictions and poverty. This is especially true for the Sadducees who did not believe in an afterlife, resurrection or immortality of the soul. When Jesus began his parable, the listeners would assume that the Rich Man was a godly man and Lazarus must have been one deserving God's wrath. Lazarus had no blessings and longed to receive whatever drops that fell from the Rich Man's overflowing cup. Like a cold, starving orphan, he was unable to resist pressing his nose against the window of a warm, happy family enjoying their evening meal.
Imagine the listeners shock when Jesus said that after they died, Lazarus is taken by angels to Abraham's side and the Rich Man went to eternal conscious torment. Jesus' two main points are made right after that shocking turn in the story.
- Those who receive good in this life but did not help their less fortunate neighbours will be tormented in hell, and those who had nothing in this life will be comforted in their afterlife.
- No one can cross from paradise to hell or from hell to paradise
The most poignant part of the story for me was when the Rich Man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. Obviously Lazarus knew the key to paradise and the Rich Man did not. He did not want his brothers to suffer as he did and to me, that speaks of a love that survives hell's torments.
Abraham's dismissive answer is that all Jews already know all that they need to know from their Prophets and Moses.
At the conclusion of Jesus' parable, if I were one of his original listeners, I would have asked myself if I wanted to follow this Rabbi. His message seems to be harder than the Pharisees' and more horrible than the Sadducees'. I hope I would continue to trail after him like a moth drawn irresistibly to flame or like that cold, starving orphan to a vision of warmth and food.
Because, a little while later, I would hear that He has defeated death and that the gates of hell could not stand against Him and that He has set the captives free. Then when I recall this parable, I would marvel at just how great is His salvation. And I'll remember to help those who have less than I.
