In Luke 16:19-31, the Lord tells a fascinating story about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. He starts the story by painting a graphic picture of the pair. The rich man is wearing purple linen, dining lavishly, and living sumptuously. In stark contrast, the sick beggar is sitting outside the rich man’s gate, hungry, longing for the scraps of food from the rich man’s table. To make matters worse, Lazarus is visited by dogs–considered an unclean animal in the Jewish culture of that day–and they add insult to injury by licking the beggar’s sores, no doubt causing further infection and possible disease.

Both men die. The unbelieving rich man goes to a place of torment in Sheol, while Lazarus, a believer, goes to be with Abraham in another part of Sheol. There are many unique aspects to this passage. We see that prior to the cross both believers and unbelievers went to Sheol. To see more on that topic, check out this blog by Bob Wilkin.

However, there is a secondary issue worthy of discussion. In verse 22 we are told specifically what happened to Lazarus and the rich man when they died:

²² So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 

First, we see that angels evidently play a role in escorting certain believers at their death. Constable writes regarding this verse:

“The angels assist God in caring for humans (Heb. 1:14). They escorted Lazarus’ spirit to Abraham’s bosom whereas the rich man simply experienced burial without heavenly honors. The point is the care that God lavished on Lazarus” (Tom Constable, www.Bible.org, emphasis added).

In contrast to the rich man’s apparent dishonor, the implication here is that Lazarus was being honored by this angelic escort. This is reminiscent of Stephen’s death in Acts 7:54-56. In both accounts, there is a sense in which both men are given high honors as they enter the afterlife. Lazarus is provided a private entourage, while Stephen is greeted personally by the Lord as He stands to welcome the martyr into the throne room of God. Both passages denote the idea of reward for faithfulness in suffering. This concept is supported by what happens to Lazarus next. The Lord tells us that Lazarus is placed in the very bosom of the patriarch Abraham.

Valdes writes regarding this point:

“Whereas others had previously laid the poor man at the rich man’s gate, now he enjoyed close fellowship with Abraham, the physical progenitor of the Jewish nation and spiritual father of all who believe in Jesus” (Al Valdes, “Luke,” GNTC, 155).

Once again, there is a sense of high honor and privilege associated with Lazarus’ entrance into paradise. To enjoy such closeness to Abraham and to be personally comforted by the father of the faith is not a prize given to all believers. We see this elsewhere in the NT, where being seated next to the patriarchs is also presented as a reward (Matt 8:11; Luke 13:28-30).

The Lord’s teachings on rewards are not unique to chap. 16. Earlier in the Gospel of Luke the Lord makes certain promises to believers who faithfully follow Him while suffering. While speaking to the disciples (6:20), He makes several statements. First, the Lord says that the poor will be blessed (v 20). Then, He says that the hungry will be filled (v 21). He also says that those who are excluded will one day be rewarded in heaven (vv 22-23). It should be noted that this passage is clearly dealing with discipleship truths. No one is saved from the lake of fire because they suffered in this life or because they were poor. Nor are the wealthy automatically sent to the lake of fire. Abraham was a wealthy man and was obviously a believer. However, we do see in this passage that believers who suffer, and do so faithfully, are promised rewards in the kingdom to come.

When reading these verses in chap. 6, it is hard not to see Lazarus as an example of such a believer. The language of the two passages is incredibly similar. Lazarus is poor, he is described as hungry, and is excluded from the rich man’s table. However, the parallels don’t stop there. The Lord also says in chap. 6 that the rich are to be pitied, for they have already received their comfort in life (v 24). By contrast, Abraham tells the rich man in chap. 16 that while Lazarus experienced terrible things during his lifetime, he was now being comforted (v 25). Of course, the comfort that Lazarus experienced far exceeds anything that this life can offer now.

While Lazarus was excluded and mistreated in this life, he experienced a grand arrival into eternity. He was ushered in by angels, placed into the very bosom of Abraham, and privately comforted in his arms. Furthermore, I would like to suggest a final reward, that is easy to miss and yet, perhaps exceeds the others. Many have noted that the Lord never provides the rich man’s name. By contrast, this lowly, seemingly insignificant beggar is spoken of by name by the King of kings. Not only that, but for over 2,000 years the story of Lazarus has been taught to generations of believers. Someone who would have undoubtedly been lost to history has not only been remembered by the Savior but has become a household name to church age believers ever since. In short, the Savior saw the life of Lazarus as worthy of acknowledgement and study. What the world deemed meaningless, the Lord valued and exalted.

To see such privileges awarded to someone like Lazarus is not only encouraging, but a helpful reminder for believers of any age. Lazarus reminds us that our Savior sees our suffering. He reminds us that God can do great things in weakness. And, finally, this poor beggar shows us that our Savior never forgets His promises. He sees everyone from famous patriarchs like Abraham to lowly beggars like Lazarus. Regardless of status, the Savior sees and remembers those who have been faithful to Him.