Luke 16

vs 22

So Lazarus was a poor beggar. Angels carried him to Abraham's side. Awww, isn't that nice. It's especially nice when compared with the rich man's death - he died and was buried, not nearly as poetic.

vs 23

Quite simply, the rich guy went to hell. We aren't told why. We assume that living in luxury isn't a sin - but perhaps doing so while a man lies begging with sores at your doorstep is. But now he lives in torment. It's a very matter of fact statement.

I think it's fascinating that Jesus uses a greek word for hell here, Hades, which just goes to show how much linguistic transference there is between religious ideas. I think it also shows that Jesus was prepared to use the word that people would understand.

The rich man sees Lazarus and Abraham, so he sees heaven, from hell. Which is quite interesting - I don't think we generally think of that.

vs 24

The rich man wants mercy, because the constant agony is unbearable. Yet still, he wants Abraham to send Lazarus to do it, as if he were a servant or something.

vs 25

I don't think this sentence of Abraham's is giving the reasons why the rich guy is in hell - it's not just because he lived in comfort his whole life, in the same way that Lazarus is not in heaven because he only received bad things his whole life. Abraham is simply pointing out that the tables have turned. This is still an important point! The rich man's earthly life, which had good things all his life, is contrasted with his eternal spiritual life, which is constant agony. So it is with Lazarus, whose earthly life was full of bad stuff, is contrasted with his heavenly life of comfort. Jesus (via Abraham) here is not talking about how they got to heaven - he is saying "Lazarus' crappy life doesn't look quite so bad, when you look at it in the face of eternity, does it?"

vs 26

So although they can see each other, far in the distance, and talk to each other, they can't cross that chasm. How real a picture of hell and heaven is this? To be sure, I don't know. Maybe it is possible for the two to see each other. Maybe not. But it makes a hell of a good story to make Jesus' point here.

vs 27-28

Now that he's suffering something he wasn't expecting, he wants someone to go to tell his brothers. So the rich guy's not a complete selfish arse - who is? - but has a concern for his family.

vs 29

And it's true - Moses and the Prophets make it clear that God is righteous and wants holy people who live in relationship with him. It was enough for Lazarus, apparently.

vs 30

Basically, the rich man is saying "That wasn't enough for me! I ended up here, and I heard Moses and the Prophets, and didn't listen!" Which is a shame, but God must be just. God has exercised a heap of grace through Moses and the Prophets already.

vs 31

Abraham makes it clear, though - God's word will in the end convince people, or it won't. All the miracles in the world, even the raising to life of a person who is dead, will not be enough. Miracles are great for getting attention, or for object lessons, or for proving power and even authority, but in and of themselves, they will not generally convince people of their need for a saviour. You've got to listen to what God says to understand that. People need a conviction of sin, as well as a conviction of God's authority and power.