This Sunday we'll consider one of the most emotionally fraught parables of Jesus, the story commonly known as The Rich Man and Lazarus.

The parable is familiar to many, but is worth recounting. A rich man lives in opulence next to a poor man who has his wounds licked by dogs. At death, the fortunes of both change dramatically, with Lazarus enjoying divine blessing while the Rich Man suffers in utter darkness.

Of the many puzzling elements of the story--the hellfire, the chasm that exists between heaven and the underworld--perhaps the most striking feature is who gets named. Of all Jesus' parables, it's only in this one a character is given a proper noun. The name given, Lazarus, means "God is my help."

The presence of the poor man's name draws attention to the fact that the Rich Man has no name. In turning toward riches and pleasures, the Rich Man loses himself, which is to say he becomes disintegrated. This process of disintegration carries on after death, we see in the story, but make no mistake: hell began long before the Rich Man died.

On the other hand, in turning to God for help, the poor man isn't just given heaven after death, he's given identity, reflected in a name, on earth. In turning to God, he images Him. It's in this mutual gazing with God that the poor man becomes fully human, fully himself--Lazarus.

This Sunday we, like Lazarus, will look to God. We will be made more into His image. We will be made more human. We will be made more ourselves!

Guy+ invites you to a South Missional Community Informational Meeting on 9/28!