Randy,
I tend to believe this is an actual event as well as an actual place. The conversation between the two does not bother me. Here is my perspective on the issue:
I believe this is a fascinating event that occurred and I suppose it could be related to Christ's resurrection from the underworld (three days and three nights). The question may rest with the idea that Christ's venture to the underworld stopped at Abraham's Bosom and never crossed the "great gulf fixed" into hell.
I am under the impression that many Old Testament saints were kept in Abraham's Bosom as indicated in Luke 16:19-31 and I believe they were resurrected and appeared to many shortly after Christ's resurrection (see Matthew 27:53). This may be part of leading captivity captive.
I am not sure why Matthew is so brief on this subject or why the scripture does not expand on this event. I tend to believe that the word of God can be brief on many areas that are meant to be talked about and questioned.... possibly because He intends for us to research the topic which may point to another truth (I don't know). Needless to say, the event is interesting and I believe it happened.
As for me, I do not think that the story of Lazarus and the rich man is a parable or fable used by Jesus. I say this only because if it is a parable, it is the only parable ever that Jesus uses a specific name: Lazarus. With this said, I think that Lazarus was an actual person and Abraham´s bosom was an actual place located in the underworld. If this is viewed as a parable, Abraham´s bosom could be written off as a fictitious location.
I also believe that Christ calls His people by name"¦ that´s why he doesn´t mention the rich man´s name. I believe the Old Testament saints were kept separate in the underworld, away from "œHades" were the rich man was sent. I read this passage literally in that there was in fact a "œgreat gulf fix" separating these two areas of the underworld. This "œgreat gulf fix" may also be the "œbottomless pit."
The rich man was able to lift his eyes in Hades (hell) and recognized Abraham who was with Lazarus. Looks like it was hot and uncomfortable were the rich man was and comfortable were Lazarus and Abraham were.
As far as Jesus going to hell: Psalm 16 does make mention of the saints that are in the earth (Psalm 16:3) and "œSheol" is the Hebrew word for hell in verse 10. Sheol can be translated: depth, abyss, the realm of dead people, the world of the dead, the grave, the pit, the underworld. Both good men (Gen 37:35) and evil men (Num 16:30) go there.
I believe that Sheol in verse 10 refers to the entire underworld. I believe Abraham´s bosom is a location in Sheol, so is "œthe bottomless pit," "œHades," "œTartarus" (Jude 6, II Peter 2:4) as well as "œGehenna" (Matt 25:44, Rev 19:20, Rev 20:10 & Rev 14:15).
I think the underworld itself had separate compartments. On the very day of His death, Jesus promised paradise to the thief on the cross (Luke 24:43). I do not believe Jesus and the thief descended into the compartment were the rich man was (Hades)"¦ it doesn´t sound like paradise. I do believe Christ went into the underworld (Sheol), but not into the chamber of tormented souls waiting for final judgment.
The saints simply went to Sheol as well as the bad. Once there I can only assume from the scriptures mentioned above, they went to their perspective holding pens. I believe Jesus gave us a little insight to the structure of the underworld with Luke 16. Peter quotes Psalm 16 in Acts 2. The Greek word used is Hades; however it is referring to the Hebrew text which uses the word Sheol in Psalm 16.
