At first glance, Jesus story of the Rich Man and Lazarus might sound like a description of the afterlife. It might sound like a description of the afterlife intended to scare people with a big stick into living as God desires. But I don’t think that’s what it is at all. Rather, I think it’s Jesus’ attempt to teach people how to get the carrot, how to experience the great party offered here and for eternity. It’s Jesus way of yelling, “Choose God instead of choosing silver that turns to dross!”
There’s rejoicing in God’s kingdom when people choose God and love over power. There’s rejoicing in God’s kingdom when people choose to acknowledge that it is JESUS who justifies, not us, and so the finger-pointing and name-calling stops. There’s rejoicing in God’s kingdom when we all decide to welcome everyone who chooses God with open arms instead of insisting there’s no way that God would allow THAT person into the party or even that we wouldn’t WANT that person in the party…and so we refuse to enjoy any party that includes THAT person.
Y’all, it’s the season of Lent, the season for turning away from all the things that aren’t God and instead turning back in the direction of God. And today’s passage suggests that this task is MUCH more difficult than it sounds…but that doesn’t make it any less necessary…real life, eternal life, is at stake.