Sermon and Video for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Divine Service at St. Luke, Rensselaer
16th Sunday after Pentecost
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
O Lord, your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
A defining characteristic of Jesus’ parables is that they have a certain anonymity about them. There are no names attached to the people in Jesus’ teaching stories. Nor are there specific geographical identifiers. This kind of teaching by story allows for a universal appeal. For example, Last Sunday we heard about the dishonest business manager. No name, no location, nothing specific. The same with the parables about the woman who lost a silver coin in her house and then the shepherd who pursued the one lost sheep. Yet, even if one is not a businessperson, a woman or a shepherd, because of the concerns that are raised, anyone can put himself into the dynamics of the story and learn something. If nothing else, we learn what God values most.
Today’s story certainly has a different feel. We have a name. Lazarus. Knowing his name is important. We don’t know the name of the other guy. That too is important.
While it is useful to know that Jesus is talking directly to some scoffing Pharisees, we can find ourselves in this story too. Our reading begins with verse 19. In verse 14, we are told by Luke, “The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.” Then, Jesus says in verse 15, “You are those who justify yourselves before me, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Ouch!
While many commentators count the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus as a parable, the presence of Lazarus’ name makes others wonder if this was a real situation that had recently happened. Jesus shares it with those who have ears to hear so that there can be an amendment of thinking, attitude, and behavior.
Knowing that this parable is directed to these particular Pharisees who are lovers of money; and also knowing that the first and second lessons also address the temptations of the abundance of money, I should say plainly what these texts are not about. There is nothing wrong or sinful with wealth or the pursuit of wealth. We remember that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job were all wealthy men. Wealth can be a good thing because it provides opportunity for choices and when those choices include the leisure to study God’s Word, praise ye the Lord! Neither is there anything wrong or sinful about eating well. Eating well can promote good health. Neither is there anything wrong with dressing well. If you can afford to wear fine clothes, look great!
But, the problem, rather, the sin, that Jesus discerns is that the Pharisees that he is addressing are lovers of money who have lost their way spiritually. Their knowledge and righteousness are a thing in and of itself rather than an expression of love for God and neighbor. Their pride and love of money have played a hand in their idolatry. The Apostle Paul warns about this in 1 Timothy 6, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
In Jesus’ teaching story, we meet the Rich Man who, in his wealth, has grown callous toward the suffering of those nearest to him. He lives only for himself. He completely ignores, he even steps over, Lazarus who is in dire straits. He chooses not to see or assist a neighbor with basic kindness such as sharing out of the abundance of his food and perhaps donating a spare blanket and some worn out clothes for him to wear. He missed a splendid opportunity to do a good deed, a mitzvot, and show his love for God by loving his neighbor in need. As a consequence, the Rich Man’s name is not spoken by Jesus and forgotten by history. He is another nameless sinner.
Jesus said in the sermon on the plain in Luke 6. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” Jesus speaks Lazarus’ name. He tells us that he has a place in His Kingdom. After a terrible and lonely end, he has joy, everlasting joy in the everlasting kingdom. He who had no honor at the end of his life sits next to Father Abraham at the heavenly banquet feast.
Through this story and others such as the Dividing of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25 Jesus teaches us that there are very real and eternal consequences for not heeding the Word of God. Turn away from pride. Turn away from the love of money. Turn away from the false promises that lead you away from faith in the one true God. Don’t trust in yourself and your earthly resources, have faith in the Lord. There are eternal consequences for your lack of faith in the one true God we know through Jesus’ cross and resurrection. Listen to what God’s Word says to your heart and turn to the Lord repenting of your sins. Seek the Lord now so that you may live forever with Him in paradise.
There have always been people who think and live as if there is no life after this one. They think that there is nothing further than death. Some, like the shooter in Dallas on Wednesday, think they can escape the consequences of their actions by committing suicide. One of the things that Jesus teaches us is that all of us will be held accountable by Jesus. Regardless of how wrongs are addressed here on earth, every single person, living or dead, will be judged by Jesus on the last day. We will be held accountable for our behavior which simply betrays where our minds and hearts are. Do we love God and neighbor or not? Jesus is not fooled. The Son of God is our Savior and our righteous judge.
In all three of the creeds that we recite, we are reminded that Jesus will judge us on the last day. There will be consequences for faith and for sin. These creedal statements are based on what God’s Word says. The Apostles Creed says, “From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.” The Nicene Creed says, “Jesus will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead.” The Athanasian Creed says, “At His coming all people will rise again with their bodies and give an account concerning their own deeds. And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire.”
Jesus has died on the cross so that our sins may be forgiven. As we become aware of how we fall short of our Lord’s hopes and expectations, we return to Him and ask His forgiveness. Jesus was crucified and risen so that he may declare to us “You are forgiven” as His spilled blood covers us and makes us righteous before our heavenly Father. We have faith in Jesus and his salvation. Because of Him we know God’s peace.
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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