Genesis 15:1-6; 1 John 4:16-21; St Luke 16:19-31
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
His checking account was flush with money. His belly was stuffed with food. His closet was crammed with clothing. The Rich Man in the parable seemed to have it all. But for all he possessed he lacked the most important thing. He didn’t have a heart full of faith in the one, true God.
The first of the Ten Commandments God gave can be summarized in this way, “Trust Me.” But he didn’t. He may have thought he did. But he didn’t. We know this because he ended up in hell. We also know this because he didn’t do what faith does. He ignored the bodily needs of the poor beggar Lazarus, laid at his gate. Sola fide. Faith alone saves. But saving faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by the fruits of faith. Deeds of love for the neighbor.
But what’s worse, is that this was not just any old rich man. He seems to be presented to us in the parable as a rich priest. We are told he wore purple and fine linen; characteristic of the priestly garments described in Exodus 28: They shall receive gold, blue and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen (Ex 28:5). We are told he feasted sumptuously every day. Is it because the Lord God provided for the priests by allowing them to eat the meat of the animals that people brought to be sacrificed?
Jesus was telling this parable to the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of Israel. They were also lovers of money who ridiculed Jesus for the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son and unrighteous steward (Lk 15-16). So here is this parable, seemingly about a rich priest set apart to teach about the God of Moses and the Prophets. That God so rich in mercy and steadfast love. So rich in love for His people that He promised to send the Messiah to save them from their sins. The Offspring of Abraham in Whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
He, of all people, should have known better. Abraham trusted the promise and it was counted to him as righteousness. But this rich priest did not and was damned.
From hell we see what his real problem was. He had a low view of God’s Word. He didn’t think it was enough. We know this because from hell he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers lest they end up in hell, too. Abraham responds, “They have enough. They have the Scriptures.” But he argues with Abraham. “No, Father Abraham, that’s not enough. They need more. If someone goes to them from the dead, then they will repent.” Convince them with a miracle. Convince them with a sign. Give them proof. Give them an experience. God’s Word is not enough.
But it is. God’s Word is sufficient for salvation. Sola Scriptura. And yet, he’s not the only rich priest who ever doubted the sufficiency of God’s Word. You too are priests who have done it. St Peter calls you a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Pt 2:9). St John’s Revelation says you are priests of God and of Christ (Rev 20:6). Even the Small Catechism delineates your priestly office in Daily Prayer and the Table of Duties. A good priest prays on behalf of the people and offers sacrifices. Like a good priest you are to rely on the promises of God’s Word as an anchor for your life. You are to pray and sacrifice.
But the truth is, you rely more on your feelings and intuitions than what you think God is doing in your life. What God ordains for your life is always good, the Scriptures teach. But you’re always trying to scan your day-to-day life for signs of His favor because your not sure He means it. What God ordains for your life is always good, His Word teaches, even if you life is like that of Lazarus. Experiencing poverty, trial, and tribulation. And yet, you insist on believing that God is being good to you only when you have health, wealth and happiness. You have a lot in common with that rich priest in hell.
Repent, rich priests. But don’t despair. There is another rich Priest who has come to your aid. It’s the rich Priest who is telling the parable, our Lord Jesus Christ. The One whom the Epistle to the Hebrews calls a merciful and faithful High Priest (2:17). A Great High Priest (4:14). A High Priest who is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (4:15). A High Priest forever (6:20).
A Priest who is also the Sacrifice. The Priest who goes to the Altar of the Cross to offer Himself as the once for all Sacrifice. And that Sacrifice atoned for your sign-seeking ways, your lack of confidence in God’s Word, and all those missed opportunities to do your priestly duty of prayer and sacrifice, to show your faith in deeds of love.
This rich Priest named Jesus was really rich. His divine wealth far exceeded that of the rich priest in the parable. In fact, heaven and earth belonged to Him. He makes the food that fills our bellies. He owns the sheep from which comes our clothing. He is co-equal with God the Father and lived in an eternal mansion, the Father’s House.
But for your sake He left His Father’s House. He went outside the gate of heaven and came to earth. He knew the neighborhood called “earth” was not a good one. Gentile dogs would surround Him and have no mercy. Priests would oppose Him there. Despise Him. Hate Him and kills Him. And yet, through it all, He was the most faithful Priest. He trusted in the Father’s Word. He believed that the Father was good and meant good for the whole world. We deserve to pay the price for our sins we’ve committed and the good we’ve omitted. We deserve to pay the price for doubting the sufficiency of God’s Word.
But instead, our Rich Priest Jesus, took it all into His flesh and paid for it with His own Blood. He prayed on our behalf, Father forgive them and offered the once for all Sacrifice of His own Body on the Tree. In Him the richest became the poorest. So that the poorest might become the richest. Your Savior is rich in mercy, rich in forgiveness, rich with the treasures of faith, forgiveness and eternal life. And He distributes all those riches to you.
Don’t call it a stimulus check or reparations. He doesn’t owe it to you. You’re not entitled to it. He bestows it in mercy, again this morning, because you are His royal priests.
You are Baptized into His sacrificial death and Resurrection. You are anointed with the oil of gladness and clothed with the priestly garment of His own righteousness that covers all your sins. You are welcomed to the Table to partake of the once for all Sacrifice. The Feast of Salvation that now fills your body and your soul.
So, dear Christians, no more living like that rich priest concerned with filling your belly and your closets. Live like Lazarus, whose name means “God is my Help,” filling your ears with the good things of Christ’s death and Resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins.
By these are you not only strengthened in saving faith unto life everlasting, but you are also strengthened in fervent love toward your neighbors in need. To the Lazaruses whom the Lord has laid at your gates. It is through these opportunities that our Lord trains you in your priestly responsibility of Daily Prayer for your family, your church, your neighbors, friends and enemies; having confidence for the Day of Judgment. So too does He exercise your faith in Him through sacrificial love toward those in need; loving others because He first loved us.
For you have the Priest who came back from the dead, the One whom Moses and the Prophets proclaimed, your Lord Jesus Christ, who attends your prayer and shall, at the last, send His angels to bear you home that you may die unfearing.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
His checking account was flush with money. His belly was stuffed with food. His closet was crammed with clothing. The Rich Man in the parable seemed to have it all. But for all he possessed he lacked the most important thing. He didn’t have a heart full of faith in the one, true God.
The first of the Ten Commandments God gave can be summarized in this way, “Trust Me.” But he didn’t. He may have thought he did. But he didn’t. We know this because he ended up in hell. We also know this because he didn’t do what faith does. He ignored the bodily needs of the poor beggar Lazarus, laid at his gate. Sola fide. Faith alone saves. But saving faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by the fruits of faith. Deeds of love for the neighbor.
But what’s worse, is that this was not just any old rich man. He seems to be presented to us in the parable as a rich priest. We are told he wore purple and fine linen; characteristic of the priestly garments described in Exodus 28: They shall receive gold, blue and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen (Ex 28:5). We are told he feasted sumptuously every day. Is it because the Lord God provided for the priests by allowing them to eat the meat of the animals that people brought to be sacrificed?
Jesus was telling this parable to the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of Israel. They were also lovers of money who ridiculed Jesus for the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son and unrighteous steward (Lk 15-16). So here is this parable, seemingly about a rich priest set apart to teach about the God of Moses and the Prophets. That God so rich in mercy and steadfast love. So rich in love for His people that He promised to send the Messiah to save them from their sins. The Offspring of Abraham in Whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
He, of all people, should have known better. Abraham trusted the promise and it was counted to him as righteousness. But this rich priest did not and was damned.
From hell we see what his real problem was. He had a low view of God’s Word. He didn’t think it was enough. We know this because from hell he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers lest they end up in hell, too. Abraham responds, “They have enough. They have the Scriptures.” But he argues with Abraham. “No, Father Abraham, that’s not enough. They need more. If someone goes to them from the dead, then they will repent.” Convince them with a miracle. Convince them with a sign. Give them proof. Give them an experience. God’s Word is not enough.
But it is. God’s Word is sufficient for salvation. Sola Scriptura. And yet, he’s not the only rich priest who ever doubted the sufficiency of God’s Word. You too are priests who have done it. St Peter calls you a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Pt 2:9). St John’s Revelation says you are priests of God and of Christ (Rev 20:6). Even the Small Catechism delineates your priestly office in Daily Prayer and the Table of Duties. A good priest prays on behalf of the people and offers sacrifices. Like a good priest you are to rely on the promises of God’s Word as an anchor for your life. You are to pray and sacrifice.
But the truth is, you rely more on your feelings and intuitions than what you think God is doing in your life. What God ordains for your life is always good, the Scriptures teach. But you’re always trying to scan your day-to-day life for signs of His favor because your not sure He means it. What God ordains for your life is always good, His Word teaches, even if you life is like that of Lazarus. Experiencing poverty, trial, and tribulation. And yet, you insist on believing that God is being good to you only when you have health, wealth and happiness. You have a lot in common with that rich priest in hell.
Repent, rich priests. But don’t despair. There is another rich Priest who has come to your aid. It’s the rich Priest who is telling the parable, our Lord Jesus Christ. The One whom the Epistle to the Hebrews calls a merciful and faithful High Priest (2:17). A Great High Priest (4:14). A High Priest who is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (4:15). A High Priest forever (6:20).
A Priest who is also the Sacrifice. The Priest who goes to the Altar of the Cross to offer Himself as the once for all Sacrifice. And that Sacrifice atoned for your sign-seeking ways, your lack of confidence in God’s Word, and all those missed opportunities to do your priestly duty of prayer and sacrifice, to show your faith in deeds of love.
This rich Priest named Jesus was really rich. His divine wealth far exceeded that of the rich priest in the parable. In fact, heaven and earth belonged to Him. He makes the food that fills our bellies. He owns the sheep from which comes our clothing. He is co-equal with God the Father and lived in an eternal mansion, the Father’s House.
But for your sake He left His Father’s House. He went outside the gate of heaven and came to earth. He knew the neighborhood called “earth” was not a good one. Gentile dogs would surround Him and have no mercy. Priests would oppose Him there. Despise Him. Hate Him and kills Him. And yet, through it all, He was the most faithful Priest. He trusted in the Father’s Word. He believed that the Father was good and meant good for the whole world. We deserve to pay the price for our sins we’ve committed and the good we’ve omitted. We deserve to pay the price for doubting the sufficiency of God’s Word.
But instead, our Rich Priest Jesus, took it all into His flesh and paid for it with His own Blood. He prayed on our behalf, Father forgive them and offered the once for all Sacrifice of His own Body on the Tree. In Him the richest became the poorest. So that the poorest might become the richest. Your Savior is rich in mercy, rich in forgiveness, rich with the treasures of faith, forgiveness and eternal life. And He distributes all those riches to you.
Don’t call it a stimulus check or reparations. He doesn’t owe it to you. You’re not entitled to it. He bestows it in mercy, again this morning, because you are His royal priests.
You are Baptized into His sacrificial death and Resurrection. You are anointed with the oil of gladness and clothed with the priestly garment of His own righteousness that covers all your sins. You are welcomed to the Table to partake of the once for all Sacrifice. The Feast of Salvation that now fills your body and your soul.
So, dear Christians, no more living like that rich priest concerned with filling your belly and your closets. Live like Lazarus, whose name means “God is my Help,” filling your ears with the good things of Christ’s death and Resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins.
By these are you not only strengthened in saving faith unto life everlasting, but you are also strengthened in fervent love toward your neighbors in need. To the Lazaruses whom the Lord has laid at your gates. It is through these opportunities that our Lord trains you in your priestly responsibility of Daily Prayer for your family, your church, your neighbors, friends and enemies; having confidence for the Day of Judgment. So too does He exercise your faith in Him through sacrificial love toward those in need; loving others because He first loved us.
For you have the Priest who came back from the dead, the One whom Moses and the Prophets proclaimed, your Lord Jesus Christ, who attends your prayer and shall, at the last, send His angels to bear you home that you may die unfearing.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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