Faith Active in Love

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) brings to mind the saying, “I never saw a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” And, while this statement may no longer be true for me – somebody actually posted a picture on Facebook of a hearse towing a U-Haul – the message is still a good one. We can’t, no matter how hard we might try, take our hard-earned materials possessions or our wealth with us when we die. It’s a reality the rich man in Jesus’ parable learned the hard way.

I love parables; especially the challenge of wrestling with paradox, ambiguity, and layers of multiple meanings. Parables also invite us to ascertain what Jesus is saying about the mystery of God’s kingdom while encouraging hearers to see themselves in the story. So rather than attempt to explain this parable away, perhaps it’s best to enter into the tension of the text and remain there for a while and see where it leads us.

Unlike many parables, this one seems pretty straight forward. It’s a parable of judgment, right? The rich man dies and suffers for having repeatedly ignored Lazarus’ plight. Meanwhile, poor Lazarus dies and is carried away by the angels to be comforted by Abraham who then responds to the rich man’s repeated pleas for help by saying: “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here and you are in agony” (16:25).

Perhaps Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to teach about the dangers of wealth. It’s a warning we have heard before in Luke’s Gospel. In the Sermon on the Plain Jesus proclaims: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled … But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry” (LK 6:21-22; 24-25).

The rich man, it appears, is punished for having neglected poor Lazarus; a sickly and destitute man thrown down at the rich man’s gate.

A man whose body was covered in sores.

A hungry man longing to feed from the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.

Sadly, the rich man was so self-absorbed and focused on his own wealth – wearing extravagant purple robes, preparing sumptuous feasts, and tending to his own business interests – that he did not even “see” Lazarus lying at his gate. Though the rich man would have had to pass by or step over Lazarus upon entering and leaving his home each day, he was blind to Lazarus’ needs. Behavior made worse by the fact that the rich man, who knew Lazarus by name, did not even send his servants to tend to poor Lazarus. In the end the rich man did nothing alleviate Lazarus’ suffering. Even the dogs show more compassion to Lazarus than the rich man.

Perhaps the parable of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates what we know all too well – sin has consequences. When Lazarus dies he is carried off by the angels to rest in the comfort of Abraham’s bosom. The rich man, on the other hand, experiences unquenchable agony and torment. His pleas for relief are rebuffed. Even the rich man’s request to warn his brothers of the fate that awaits them is dismissed.

Where do you see yourself in this parable? Perhaps, you may identify with the rich man, whose obsession with wealth, material goods, and sumptuous feasts blinded him to a person in need. It’s a truth many of us know all too well. We can become so caught up in the rat race of life – earning enough money to pay the bills, providing for our families, climbing the worldly ladder of success — one hard earned rung at a time – that we lose sight of the needs of others. Our “affluenza” blinds us to the needs of the poor, the suffering, the victims of injustice and oppression, and the broken longing to be made whole.

Some of you, on the other hand, may identify with Lazarus. For you also long for healing in your life. You, too, want someone to notice your suffering, to take the time to listen, to extend a healing touch, and to care enough to help.

In a sermon he wrote nearly 500 years ago Martin Luther noted that the parable of the rich man and Lazarus was, at its core, a parable about faith.[1] By all outward appearances the rich man’s life glitters and shines brilliantly. The gospel does not accuse him of adultery, or murder, or robbery, or violence. For all we know, the rich man may have even led an outwardly, exemplary life. Yet, note how the parable draws us in to look at the rich man’s heart. “For the Gospel has penetrating eyes and sees into the deep recesses of the soul,” writes Luther. When we examine the rich man’s behavior according to the fruits of faith, we discover a heart and a tree of unbelief.

The gospel chastises the rich man for eating sumptuously every day and clothing himself in expensive purple linens. But note, he is not punished because of these things. The rich man is punished because he found in them all his joy, delight, and pleasure and made them his idols. Even worse, the rich man chose such a life every day. The rich man lived to himself and served only himself.

Perhaps the parable is meant to remind us of our human condition. In our captivity to sin our wills are bound. Try as we might, nothing that we do or say can merit favor with God. We are totally dependent upon God’s gracious action in Christ Jesus, who by the power of the Holy Spirit, became human, suffered, died, was crucified, and raised so that you and I might live.

Fundamental to what we do as Christians, especially with respect to the use of our time, talents, and treasures, is grounded in who we are in Christ. The subject matter of our new life in Christ is God’s saving love. A love that comes to you now in God’s Word proclaimed. A love that comes to you at the Lord’s Table in the gift of Christ’s body broken for you, and the cup of salvation shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.

Faith is a living, restless thing, wrote Luther. Faith cannot be inoperative. “We are not saved by works; but if there be no works, there must be something amiss with faith.”[2] Perhaps that’s the message and the challenge of today’s parable. A living faith expresses itself in works of love. As Christ gives himself for us with his body and blood in order to redeem us from all misery, so we too are to give ourselves away for our neighbor.

How is God inviting you to live into your baptismal vocation with a faith active in love? In the midst of the world’s trials and tribulations. In the midst of our country’s brokenness and challenges. In the midst of racial animosity and long-simmering hatreds. In the midst of poverty, inequality, and unmet needs. Calling you and me, flawed and fallible modern-day disciples though we may be, to be the church for the sake of the world.

[1] Martin Luther’s Sermon on Luke 16:19-31, taken from his Church Postil, 1522-23.

[2] Luther quoted in Hans-Werner Gensichen, “Were the Reformers Indifferent to Missions?” in Student World , no. 1-2 (Geneva, Switzerland: The World Student Federation, 1953), 123.