Why Did Lazarus Get To Go To Paradise?

There was a certain rich man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day. And at his gate there was [carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, [reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores. He [eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores. Luke 16:19-21

Jesus gives a parable of two men, one extremely rich and one extremely poor.

And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:22-23

Let me ask you a question, why did Lazarus get to go to paradise when he died? Jesus never tells us that he was a good man. We are never told that he was an honest man. Jesus never says that Lazarus was a faithful or giving man. All we are told is that Lazarus was an utterly destitute man who wanted the rich man’s left overs. So why would Lazarus get to go to paradise and be wonderfully taken care of?

Here in lies one of the greatest Truth’s of our Father. We are shown why when bad things happen to people that we are to actually rejoice for them, Romans 5:3. You heard me! Man wants to judge our Father by what they see with their eyes and by what they see for this brief period of time in the flesh, 2 Corinthians 4:18. When our Father looks at eternity. We are shown in this parable that if a person is given a miserable lot on this earth, that they will be greatly rewarded and taken care of in eternity. We are shown that the last will be first, Matthew 19:30. Having wealth is actually considered by our Father to be a harder lot in this life, Matthew 19:24.

Why do bad things happen to good people? So that our Father can reward them for ever and ever. We mourn at a murder or at an abusive crime, especially when it happens to a child. These things hurt and they are terrible, but the pain is only for a brief moment when compared with an eternity of abundance.

[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! Romans 8:18

The next time you see a beggar, give him something to help him out. But do not pity him, for we are shown that he has a wonderful eternity waiting for him. The next time you hear of a person who was murdered or tortured, pray for the family and friends of the person, but also rejoice that the victim is now receiving the reward of an eternity of being first. Our Father see’s everything that is happening and He knows all. And if we are abused or destitute on this earth, we will be blessed and provided for abundantly for all of eternity. This is a great parable and it should bring us all so much peace when we see all of the suffering in this world.

Now we are not necessarily told by Jesus that the person who suffers in this world will be one with Him. We are not shown that they will be part of the Bride of Christ, they may be. But if they are not doesn't mean that they don't receive a great and full blessing as being a prized and honored guest at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. There are guests in eternity, Matthew 22:10-11. Some of these guest will be first and some will be last. But amen we are shown this Truth: those who are treated the worst on this earth are blessed tremendously in our Father's Kingdom.