The rich man in this the parable Jesus tells this week had everything he could want. He wore clothes of expensive colors and materials that showed his wealth. He didn’t just feast every day, he feasted sumptuously. He lived in a gated home, large and expensive enough to lock out the rest of the community. In Jesus’ day most people would see this man’s wealth as a sign of God’s favor. Today also, some people see abundance as a sign of God’s blessing. In contrast, the people listening to Jesus would see Lazarus in the opposite situation from the rich man, with nothing. He was poor, alone, and suffering from illness. Jesus’ hearers would see Lazarus condition to be a clear sign of God’s disfavor. Jesus dispels those misunderstandings with a surprising reversal in the parable.
Repeatedly in the gospels, Jesus makes clear that he is paying attention to those who are struggling, outcast and vulnerable. Not with judgement, but with compassion. The after-death scene that plays out in the parable is not a description of the afterlife, but it is a clear message that in God’s reign, when the world is what God intends it to be, God’s children will notice the struggles others face and respond with care.
Wealth inequality is clearly nothing new and is an issue of justice and compassion. Jesus makes clear that choosing to look away from the needs around us is a heartbreaking failure to love our neighbors, neglecting to treat others as we would like to be treated. Of course, God’s love includes us all, even when we fall short. God’s forgiveness makes reconciliation and true community possible.
This parable can be tricky for college students. Students seldom feel wealthy. Tuition, housing, loans, and all the other expenses of higher education are daunting. In the world context, though, even students who struggle financially are wealthy. In terms of other resources, like family or community support, opportunities higher education offers, and even the intellectual capacity to pursue a degree, students are incredibly wealthy. In years to come, after graduation and into careers, students will have even more resources to share with the world.
Each day we encounter people who are struggling. Following Jesus means we try to look beyond the gates of our own comfort and security, to see their needs, and to respond in compassion. How will we reach out to the vulnerable now? How will we reach out to the vulnerable later in life when we have many more resources?
Of course, sometimes, we are the ones who are vulnerable, in need of compassion and help. God notices and cares. When we are struggling, we also have a special place in God’s heart.