Homeless Lazarus leans back on the chest of Abraham, the father of the Israelite people. The KJV translates this, “ Abraham’s bosom.” Remember in the Last Supper when the disciple who Jesus loved, John, was reclining next to him, perhaps leaning on Jesus’ chest (John 13:23)? That’s the image we’re supposed to get. That doesn’t sound very warm in our language. When he died, angels came and carried him to Abraham’s side. The story tells us that Lazarus was precious to God. The wealthy guy goes to Hades (the waiting room of hell), and Lazarus goes to be with Abraham (the pre-crucifixion waiting room of heaven).

23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. When we read this story, we’re not supposed to say, “Wow! I want to be like the guy dressed in purple!” Because right after this, what happens? They both die and go to very different places.Ģ2 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. Even though most of the text is about the rich man, Jesus parable shows more care for the homeless man Lazarus.ġ9 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. We don’t even get the rich man’s name, but we do get Lazarus’ name. Jesus contrasts two people in this story, a rich man living in luxury and a poor man living on the street. Homeless people are precious in God’s sight.

Jesus told us this parable to teach us a lot of things, and one of those is the value of people the world rejects. The end.” But I think there’s more to it than that. Sometimes when we read this story, I think we’re too quick to say, “The story is really about not rejecting Jesus, therefore, believe in Jesus. We didn’t talk about the story of Lazarus, but I’ve been thinking of how it applies to caring for the homeless.

We had a good group, but many of you weren’t there, and I want you to at least get a little bit of what we learned. I want to debrief as a church the Living Waters training in March. Maybe you’re wondering why I’m preaching on this passage today. When we come to a passage like today’s text, the story of the rich man and Lazarus, I think we find an even clearer call to be mindful and care for the homeless. I went home thinking, you know, there are probably more homeless people who pray and believe in Jesus than we realize. I sat and talked with one of the homeless men, and he said he was a Christian. But I was struck by the first time we volunteered at Living Waters Center of Hope last November. I want to do something! Some would argue that since James is talking about brothers and sisters, then he’s talking about fellow Christians and how we only need to take care of the family of God. I don’t want to just pray for a homeless person and send them on their way. What are we supposed to do with the homeless? Are we supposed to give them our money? Are we supposed to pay for somewhere for them to live or host them ourselves? Are we supposed to ignore them and keep on going? And I don’t just mean we as individuals, but how about us as the church? What are we, as Cornerstone, supposed to do? I often think of this passage in James when I encounter homeless people.ġ5 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? But if I hold onto them too long, the snacks start to disappear mysteriously. Recently, I’ve started carrying snack packs with Bibles and pamphlets in my car. Sometimes I’ve given money, Bibles, snacks. I guess I don’t know if that’s what you do, but I know I’ve done that many times. Most of the time, what do we do? We look straight ahead and try not to make eye contact. I always feel conflicted when I drive up to an intersection, and someone is holding a sign asking for money.

Lazarus bible story tagalog