It has been way too long since I wrote a "text study" post. It is not because I have not been doing text study each week it’s because…well…I don’t know why. Oh well…I guess I won’t try to explain.
The Gospel text for this coming Sunday (18th Sunday after Pentecost) is from Luke 16:19-31. Here Jesus tells the story (parable) of a rich man and Lazarus (not to be confused with the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead in the Gospel of John). Actually the name "Lazarus" means "Helped by God". Maybe this is something that helps…I don’t know. In any case, there is a rich man (Notice: The rich man here and in other parables of Jesus are not given names, but the poor are given names. I wonder if this is significant) and Lazarus (a poor man). The rich man treats Lazarus with contempt during their lives and refuses to show any kind of mercy and love. Upon their deaths, Lazarus is "…carried away by the angels to be with Abraham." (Luke 16:22) and the rich man was buried and ends up in Hades.
The rich man sees his predicament and Lazarus across the way with Abraham on the other side of a great chasm. All of a sudden roles are reversed as Abraham points out verse 25 in response to the rich man’s plea for mercy. After Abraham points out the great chasm the rich man then pleads for his brothers to be warned. Abraham indicates that they have Moses and the prophets but the rich man pleads for Lazarus to be sent to warn them. Abraham then replies "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." (Luke 16:31)
This story gives me a few things to ponder and I offer them to you:
(1) "Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed…" — What are the "great chasms" of today? What separates people from the Kingdom? a) Despair over sins/past life that people feel can not be forgiven; b) Pride — notice how the rich man continues to look down on Lazarus expecting Lazarus to serve him. Being corrupted by wealth; c) Unbelief — People simply do not believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior; d) Intellectual faith — People try to rationalize and reason their way to heaven, but get tripped up.
What are your thoughts on this "great chasm"?
(2) Throughout the Gospel of Luke, money and wealth is a very popular topic for Jesus. Maybe this needs to be addressed. During text study this morning, someone asked the question "How do you minister to the wealthy" and then answered by saying, "Give them opportunities to give/serve". Obviously the rich man in this story knew Lazarus; he had to step over him almost daily. The rich man had many chances to give and show mercy but did not. How many chances have we missed — because after all, we are among the wealthy?
(3) The name Lazarus means "Helped by God". Is that significant? Jesus could have used any name or not even used a name for the poor man.
Now if we go back to the other texts for Sunday – Amos 6:1a, 4-7 & 1 Timothy 6:6-19 – we get more talk about the misuse of wealth. The 1 timothy text has the popular verse (10) that says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…" Paul does not condemn the rich; saying that wealth is "bad", but rather the misuse of it gets people in trouble. He warns the rich not to fall into temptation; thinking their wealth will save them (just ask the rich man in Luke 16). Amos also goes after "those who are at ease" (Amos 6:1)
There is plenty of food for thought in our texts for Sunday. Does any one have any other thoughts to throw into the mix? (Not that I need to be confused even more – but I guess that doesn’t take much)
Update
This Sunday is "Bible Sunday" at Salem and Belmont Lutheran Churches. Third graders will be presented their Bible along with the Salem congregation receiving their pew Bibles (but don’t tell Salem for I have told them that the pew Bibles are a "surprise" — which I probably totally ruined by typing this 🙂 Oh well… if people have read the council minutes, they know this is coming.
Anyway…thanks for "listening". Take care and God bless!
-edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
Thank you. I find your question regarding the chasms that exist for us today to be especially helpful in approaching my treatment of the text this week.
One thing that I have always found fascinating in this text is the comment of Abraham, “neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.” After all is this not the definitive piece for Christians as Christ turns death back into life in his resurrection. I find this statement in the midst of this story to be one more example of how easily we can discount the reality of what Christ has done in the midst of our own confession what Christ has done for us. The disconnect between head and heart.
Thank you for your comments. I hadn’t thought of chasms in this way before until a colleague of mine brought that up in text study this week. The conversation that ensued lasted for a while.
Also, “After all is this not the definitive piece for Christians as Christ turns death back into life in his resurrection.” — I totally agree with you. The resurrection does not make sense, hence the disconnect between the head and heart. But despite this “chasmn” Jesus Christ still died for the ungodly.
Thanks again for your thoughts. Blessings to you in your preparations.
What sticks out in my mind when I read this passage is that the rich man does not even recognize the great chasm. He merely “sees” this great separation between himself and Abraham, as well as Lazarus, simply as a great pit. In his response and out of his perceived need for cool water he seeks only comfort for himself and warning for his relative. Even in hell his focus is inward.
The reality of the great chasm is our separation from God by sin, and the need is not something that will refresh us, but it is our need to give God glory and the fullness of our worship and praise for what he has done, is doing and promises to do through Christ.
I see the great chasms of our society in our “me first” approach to life. Even when we recognize the needs of others we often give out of our abundance, making sure that we don’t give “too much” so that we can “feel good” but remain comfortable within our own skin.
While our statement is usually that of the rich man begging for cool water to ease our suffering, we ought to remember God’s drowning us in the flood waters of baptism thereby healing our total sinfulness.
Man, now that I’m all revved up I wish I was preaching this week.
Good point, David. The rich man has no clue what really is going on…he’s too self centered.
The “me first” chasm of society is the very definition of sin. The center letter of S-I-N is “I”…”me first”. But recognizing our sin, confessing and hearing the Good News of forgiveness closes the chasm.
Nice reflection. Thank you.
P.S. You know, David, when you get “reved up” you are always welcome to preach up here in SW MN. I am just not sure if Salem would pay all your milage 🙂
I’d be happy to visit in conjunction with a summer vacation to Michigan’s U.P. I’ll just take the loooong way home.
I came across this post while trolling (that’s a Minnesota term, I believe) the internet for interpretations of this text. I also came across an interpretation – that I have at this point only skimmed -that this parable is about the Jews (rich man) and the Gentiles (Lazarus), and that it was specifically intended as a criticism aimed at the Pharisees who were giving Jesus a hard time. To find this, use a Google search on the words: lazarus rich man huie. What does an orthodox Lutheran pastor think of this interpretation?
David — Just let me know when you are coming through. You are always welcome.
Tom — I agree. I believe the original context of this parable was aimed at the Pharisees. They were giving Jesus a “hard time” and Jesus went after them quite a bit. But because this may have been intended for the Pharisees, it doesn’t mean we can’t learn something from it or hear it as a “criticism” of how we live or as an instruction on how to be a better disciple.
I guess that is the joy of Jesus’ parables…there is no one “right” interpretation. Depending on our place in time affects how we hear scripture, hence…the Living Word of God.
I do appreciate you stopping and your comments. Feel free to “troll” by anytime and visit this “orthodox” Lutheran pastor. Thanks much and take care.
Good evening, Eric.
I’ve stopped back again as I contemplate my task tomorrow, which is to lead an adult bible study class, substituting for the retired pastor who is away.
Of course, you’re right — though Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, we still can find, in his parable, Truth that’s relevant to our lives today.
I’ll check back next week, in case you post another text study.
Tom
thanks eric! wish I had read this earlier. it’s been a nutty week.
Tom — good to “see” you again. My goal is to have a text study post every week even though the past couple weeks it hasn’t happened. Thanks for stopping back.
Diane — I hear you. My week has been nutty too. Take care.
I know the preaching moment for this is past for most, but may I suggest a connection to those odd bits which occur just before this text: the statements about the Law and Prophets, and the adultery teaching. Just before that, Jesus has said, “You cannot serve God and money.” Then the Pharisees, “true lovers of money, sneered at him.”
The text is about misuse of money yes, but I think it’s about just a bit more. There’s that odd phrase about those forcing their way into the kingdom since the gospel’s proclamation. Jesus seems to say to the Pharisees, “Look, all these other people [likely peasants] get it! You’ve had Moses & the Prophets saying the same thing all along. Why don’t you get it?” Even resurrection won’t change their minds.
The preaching may be past for most but it is never too late to offer some insight on scripture. Preaching moments are one thing I am writing for but basically these posts are text studys for anyone who desires to get into scripture.
I too believe this was originally a direct critisizm of the Pharasees of the day. They DID NOT get it and the peasants did. The Pharasees were trying to force their way into the kingdom. But this is what I see as interesting. Often times the disciples did not get it and the resurrection did not change their minds. It was an encounter with the living Christ that made the difference.
Thanks for stopping, Casey and thanks for the contribution to the discussion. Hope to see you soon.