A Chasm

       Please read Luke 16:19-31. Here Jesus offers us a glimpse of what is to come. While Jesus does speak of the angel and the torment, agony, and fire, I believe Jesus is more concerned about what is happening as we live our lives on Earth. Last week we asked ourselves – where is our heart? In the wake of life choices, we learn of the joy or the suffering that follows. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's embrace, while the rich man goes to Hades and is in torment.

       Notice the unnamed rich man is preoccupied with his wealth, his attire, and the lavish banquet. The nameless rich man is choosing to disregard Lazarus, while Lazarus is longing for a pittance of bread. Whether at the gate or at the table, the rich man is clearly choosing to dismiss the plight of Lazarus. 

       We hear a whisper of “Don’t make eye contact,” a phrase taught to us as children when approached by a stray dog. One might say this scene reflects the following, “If I ignore you are there …then you are not there.”  You see, Lazarus represents the greater community and the broader message – we are to love – love when it is hard; we are to share – share from our abundance. Friends, Jesus is teaching that one’s attitude toward those in need, reveals one’s true relationship with God. 

       Jesus is pointing to a sin he sees and asking, “Have we fallen prey to the same sin?”  We cannot avoid opportunities to serve and to love. This parable asks us to contemplate, are we joining God in God’s mission? Let us search our hearts and work to lessen the divides we see. 

       As we unpack this story we see the rich man– physically rich but spiritually poor. Living opposite lives, they both died. Lazarus carried by angels, yes, a beggar in the arms of an angel while the rich man reaching up from the torment. This is an illustration of the upside-down kingdom; what is celebrated on earth has little or no value in heaven. 

      Concerned with his family, displaying compassion for those who are like him, he pleads with Abraham asking for his brothers to be warned. This parable warns against the rich man's self-indulgent lifestyle and his obvious indifference to the poor while highlighting the importance of God’s Word, written for us to study and follow. This is a call to hear and obey God's Word; it is the only chance to find salvation. We need to respect the weight of the warning. How many times and different ways can this be said? Abraham’s response is quite ironic saying, “nothing, not even someone rising from the dead to give them the news will make them listen.”  Think about it…we know the news, the Resurrection story and yet some are still in denial. 

      It is important to emphasize that Jesus is not saying that wealth is bad or rich people are not good, this is about character and the heart. We need to consider how money or status causes us to respond to situations. In 1 Corinthians Paul writes, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (7:10). This message is one shared many times in scripture, one that may hit close to home and cause some to not make eye contact, deflect the truth or put the label on another. Here is the good news…we have a God of second chances. It is not too late…yet. 

      Yes, sadly, there is a self-imposed chasm; we choose. Our eternity is not a secret; believers know and are told to go and tell others about salvation and life eternally. Here Abraham tells him and us that the chasm between them in eternity is permanent. Which side of the chasm do we find ourselves today? I believe that most people of faith yearn to close the gap loving our neighbors and as we mature in faith, we even surprise ourselves responding quickly and in joy. Yet sometimes we find it difficult to look at the people at the gate…wherever our personal gate may be. To that I ask, where are you and I choosing not to look? Where are we falling short and trying to justify our decision to ignore what Jesus is asking us to do? We need to go to God asking for the ability to trust him and the courage to persevere…we need to love without boundaries, excuses, or blinders. There is work to be done and we are the ones called to do it. We choose. We choose to care. We choose to listen. We choose to be hospitable even when it is messy. And in choosing to align ourselves with God’s will, which is an ongoing commitment, we will be led by the Spirit, realizing our gifts and purpose for Him. 

      The rich man went from riches to rags. This is a wakeup call; it is not time to hit snooze. What matters is how we live…acting justly, treating others with dignity, sharing from our abundance, and respecting the authority of Scripture. And all God’s people say, amen!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kerry

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