Sermon -- 19th Sunday after Pentecost (October 16, 2022)

LUKE 16:19-31

THE GOOD THINGS ARE FOUND IN GOD’S WORD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Jesus tells a story about two men.  Which would you rather be?  Since you know the end of the story, I’ll bet I can guess your answer.  But let’s consider each man.  First, “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day” (Luke 16:19).  Lavish clothing.  Sumptuous meals.  Creature comforts.  Wealth to spare.  If we examine our life goals, the truth is: This is the guy we want to be.

     In contrast, at the gate of the rich man “was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.  Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores” (Luke 16:20-21).  Lazarus was unemployed, disabled, and diseased.  Jesus mentioned that dogs came a licked his sores.  This was not some sort of Disney moment where the dogs pitied him.  These were scavenger dogs who were waiting to see if Lazarus’ corpse was a meal ready to be eaten.  If you say you don’t want to be Lazarus, it is because no one wants to be destitute and starving.  Lazarus was a man worthy of pity, but none was shown to him.

     This is where we begin to commend ourselves more highly than we ought.  Jesus commented that Lazarus “desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table” (Luke 16:21).  From this we infer—fairly, I think—that the rich man had no compassion for the beggar right outside his own gate.  We like to credit ourselves, “If I had been there, I certainly would have taken care of Lazarus.”  But when you see someone who is destitute, are you open-handed or tight-fisted with your money?  If you are not helping the destitute now, you would not have done it then, either.  Of course, we all have our reasons.  I’ll bet the rich man did, too.  Perhaps he thought that Lazarus was faking it or was an addict.  If so, we would probably commend the rich man for refusing to be an enabler.  It is easy to find reasons to refuse charity.  We have more in common with the rich man than we would like to admit.  Repent.

     Of course, the greatest difference between the rich man and Lazarus was not wardrobe or diet or house or health.  In fact, the world could not know the real difference between these two because it was hidden.  Jesus, however, revealed it.  “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.  The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he … called out, ‘…I am in anguish in this flame’” (Luke 16:22-24).  In short, the rich man died an unbeliever, and Lazarus died trusting in God’s word. 

     While in the torments of hell, the rich man did not appeal to the Lord, but to Abraham.  The judgment against the rich man was uttered from heaven.  “Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish” (Luke 16:25).  Now, eternal judgment is not based on one’s poverty or wealth—as if God rewards the down-trodden because of what they suffered but condemns the rich because they had it easy.  After all, Abraham was a very rich man.  Judgment is not about evening the score.  The condemning words come in this phrase: “in your lifetime received your good things” (Luke 16:25).  The rich man loved his luxurious lifestyle.  He trusted in his wealth above all things.  His goal was to live a pampered life in worldly comforts—and he did!  But once he died, he lost all his good things.  What he loved and trusted did not save his life from the grave or from hell. 

     Lazarus, on the other hand, would have preferred health, a home, and the ability to earn an income.  For reasons known only to God, he was not blessed that way.  But he did have one good thing: God’s word.  The good things are found in God’s word.  Lazarus trusted in God’s promises that a Savior would deliver him out of a broken world and restore his broken body.  Those hardships are evidence that sin has corrupted this world and everything in it.  In fact, Lazarus himself was corrupted by sin.  All people are.  We are sinners—whether rich or poor, healthy or sick, generous or stingy.  All people fail to live up to the standard God has set: Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.  Fear, love, and trust in God above all things. 

     For this reason, God did not send the rich man someone to advise him on the benefits of charitable giving.  Nor did he send Lazarus someone to put salve on his sores.  Both would have been good, but neither one would save.  So God sent a Savior.  Jesus Christ came to deliver all people out of their sinful condition.  You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though he was rich, yet he became poor.  Jesus did not live a glorious life here.  Instead, Jesus was devoted to gaining you a glorious life in the world to come.  Jesus lived in poverty and humility.  In fact, Jesus only once was dressed in lavish purple—when Roman soldiers wrapped on of their robes around him.  But then they stripped him naked and pinned him to a cross.

     At the cross, Jesus received bad things.  He was forsaken by his Father, condemned for sins he did not commit, and killed with a cursed death.  Jesus suffered the torments of hell that we deserve.  This Jesus did willingly; in fact, intentionally.  Jesus received these bad things so that you could receive good things.  You have been acquitted of your sins.  You have peace for your conscience.  You have rest for your souls, for all the work to secure God’s favor has been done.  You are free from any condemnation, and you are assured the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.  Lazarus’ horrible condition was temporary; but now he is blessed.  He feasts sumptuously every day.  He is dressed in robes of righteousness.  His body will be raised immortal and incorruptible.  And so it will be for you, as God promises.  The good things are found in God’s word.

     The rich man was sent to hell.  His situation would never change.  It would never improve, either.  Many people find this sentence to be too horrible for words.  We agree.  It is terrifying.  Many people say, “I would never worship a God who is eager to send people to hell.”  We agree.  For, the Lord is not eager to send anyone to hell.  That is why he sent Jesus—to deliver all people from such a terrible torment.  Hell was created for the devil and the demons who seek the damnation of all people.  It was never intended for people.  That’s not to say God won’t send anyone there; it’s just that hell is not God’s intention for anyone.  He is the God who saves—as the Scriptures reveal.  The good things are found in God’s word.

     As we take God’s word to heart, we may fear that some of our loved ones did not believe in God’s word.  We may even be sure of it, which means that our loved ones are in hell.  Who could not be grieved by that?  If you are, then listen to rich man’s plea.  He said, “I beg you, father, to send (Lazarus) to my father's house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment” (Luke 16:27-28).  The rich man did not want anyone to be in hell with him.  There was no desire for any reunion with loved ones in hell.  The rich man yearned that his brothers would be spared the fiery torment which he was suffering.  So, if you are convinced that you have a relative or a friend who has gone to hell, be assured of this: They don’t want you there with them. 

     So, what recourse do we have?  What can we do so that those who are still alive will never have to experience endless death, darkness, sorrow, and pain?  Abraham answered the rich man: “(Your brothers) have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29).  In other words, they have the Scriptures.  The good things are found in God’s word.  God’s word proclaims how he delivers us from the curse of sin—through the blood of Jesus Christ.  God’s word reveals how we are delivered from the grave—Jesus has conquered death, holds authority over it, and will raise us up from the grave.  God’s word delivers the only good thing that endures and that saves.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.  There is no other hope, no other Savior, no other saving word.  But it is all that is needed.  The good things are found in God’s word.

     The rich man did not believe God’s word was sufficient.  He thought it needed to be more impressive, more flashy, more convincing.  “He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  (Abraham) said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead’” (Luke 16:30-31).  No gimmick will ever convince a sinner that God’s word is true if he refuses to believe it.  The fact of the matter is this: Shortly after Jesus told this story, there was a man named Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.  Do you know what Jesus’ enemies concluded about that?  St. John wrote, “The chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus” (John 12:10-11). 

     What’s more, Jesus died and on the third day rose from the dead.  Those who despised God’s word all along were not convinced even though Jesus rose from the dead.  They created the lie to cover it up.  They perished in their sins and became more rich men in hell, but not because God cheated them out of mercy.  The good things are found in God’s word.  If saying, “This is what the Lord says,” does not convince people it is to be taken seriously, nothing will.

     Good things are found in God’s word.  That is the word which is preached to you week after week.  That is the word which was attached to water by which you were washed clean of all sin and marked by God’s name.  That is the word which consecrates wine and bread so that Jesus can give you his body and blood to strengthen your faith.  That is the word which begs to be read from your Bibles at home and discussed with your family so that they will cherish the good things that endure to eternity.

     Good things are found in that word—forgiveness of sins, encouragement to serve God in a broken world, confidence to stand before God when this world ends, and comfort for every day in this world until your time here ends.  But your time in God’s kingdom will not end.  We will join with Abraham, Lazarus, and all the people who believed God’s word and loved it.  This is the word by which the Lord speaks to you, and by which he saves you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.