Sermon Index
September 25, 2016
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GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 16:19–31 [The rich man and Lazarus]
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate 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. 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 lifted up his eyes and l saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But 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. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him 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.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ “
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Father Abraham spoke to the rich man who was in Hell, "And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us."
Actually, that chasm existed long before the rich man or Lazarus died. Every day, the rich man dined sumptuously while Lazarus wanted to fill his belly with the srcaps of garbage that fell from his table. One man dressed in the most expensive fashions, the other was covered with sores. There was a huge gap between these two men. That gap could have been closed while they were yet alive. If the rich man had not been so selfish, so proud or so stingy, he could have given a bit of charity to the poor man. Perhaps he could have gotten some medicine for his sores, or shown just a bit of love or kindness. But, he did not even think of helping him. He did not even think of closing the gap.
Even in hell he did not think of crossing over to Lazarus. He was so proud that he gave orders to not only Lazarus but even to Abraham. Vs.24, "Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." But the chasm was too wide to be crossed.
A bigger yet chasm is that gap between life and death. Lazarus could not be sent back to earth to speak to the rich man's five brothers. But you know, even if Lazarus could have gone back, there was yet the biggest gap of all. That is the gap of belief and unbelief, the gap between hearing the Word of God and doing it. Abraham said, vs.31, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Abraham's prophecy came true. Even after Jesus was crucified and rose on the third day, the Jews would not believe in Jesus. That is because they did not believe the words of Moses and the Prophets. If they had believed the words of Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament, they would have believed Jesus. And so, after he arose from the dead, Jesus did not appear to the Jews. Even if they had seen him, they would not have believed.
Father Abraham said there was a big chasm between heaven and earth. Because of sin, that abyss is as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon. And because of sin, that gap between us and God is as wide as heaven is separated from hell. We need a bridge. The bridge that connects us to God is the love of Christ. God sent his beloved Son, Jesus to this world. He did not just touch our tongues with only a drop of water. He brought the water of baptism, the water of life. To both the poor and the rich, Jesus reached out his hands. That bridge spanned heaven and earth. That bridge was the cross. And because of that cross, we can cross the great abyss. Here in the cross we see God's love. It is the cross that can bridge all the gaps in our lives. Even the gaps that separate us from other people can also be crossed by the love of God in us. And furthermore, now in faith and hope we can see the people who have already crossed from death to life. We know by faith, that following Jesus, we too can cross over.
Finally, beggars know where to sit and beg. They know the best street corners. They seem to be able to spot a generous person. So, if someone asks you for something or asks for your help, be a little happy. Someone sees you as being a nice, kind person. Then show someone the love that God has shown you. Fill in the deep gaps and chasms with love. Let’s cross the bridges built with the love and peace of God.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church