Trinity 1

Luke 16:19-31

Everyone loves Baskin-Robbins because of their thirty-one flavors of ice cream. Numerous options allow everyone to find something that brings them happiness. Sugar cone or waffle cone? Or maybe a sundae?

Americans love choices: Are you a Ford fan, a Dodge fan, or a Chevy fan?

Or go into a Walmart… do you want organic or non-organic fruits and vegetables?

Whatever you do, don’t get me started on your choices of milk…or nut liquid posing as milk.

We love choices, don’t we?

Does this idea of freedom to choose ever enter the Church?  

Surely, a Sunday morning drive to Good Shepherd often leads you past many churches. If you were brave enough to turn on the television this morning, you would see a large number of televangelists promising you a better life if you do a, b, or c. After all, happiness and success are the true marks of a Christian, right? But have you ever noticed how they all seem to suggest that you need to do something to receive something? That’s called the law. 

But the Gospel this morning reveals a very different story. It’s not about options or decisions; it ultimately comes down to two paths or two religions. One is the religion of the law, which aims for man to reconcile himself to God; it’s all about the actions man does. While the other is the religion of the Gospel, where faith in Christ Jesus grants His forgiveness and life. 

On this first Sunday after Trinity, the Gospel always begins with the reading of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The Gospel presents two distinct images: one is painted with vibrant colors that catch our eyes, depicting success, wealth, and social status in the Rich Man, who is recognized throughout the community. He has the choice of which social gatherings to attend, where one might gain an advantage over others.

In contrast, the portrayal of Lazarus’ life is painted with the darkest colors of grief and loneliness, a life dominated by physical pain, illness, and torment that seem to be his only realities.  

Which painting would you choose?

Most of us would choose the life of the Rich Man; no one likes to suffer. Additionally, everyone is drawn to shiny objects.

But make no mistake, this is also the way of the law. Everything the Rich Man does is for his own benefit, pride, and fame. Truthfully, he doesn’t even feel a need for God. 

How often do we see everything we do as our own achievements and successes? Every ribbon, medal, and trophy of life that adorns a child’s wall or shelf can become an idol if not kept in perspective.

Now, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work hard or that children should not aspire to do well in individual and team sports; they should, as they teach us to work with others, to have dedication, and use the talents God gives to us. However, we need to maintain a sense of perspective throughout our lives.

The Christian faith is not about what we do or achieve, but about Jesus and what He has done for you. It’s about hearing and receiving God’s Word into our ears, where the Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith. It’s about following Jesus to His cross.

And this is why we do not like the painting of Lazarus this morning; we don’t like it when there are no choices in life, only crosses.

This painting is clearest during trials and tribulations, when a child is bullied for their personality, or picked on for not being the best athlete, or not invited to classmates’ birthday parties – they didn’t choose to be excluded. Or when someone develops cancer and must endure the countless waves of doctors’ appointments and treatments, they didn’t choose cancer. Or when our loved ones die, they didn’t choose to die and leave us with the feelings of loneliness and filled with the sores of grief and sorrow. 

However, when life resembles the plight of Lazarus and choices seem absent, we often gain a clearer vision of the cross of Jesus and His care for us, not just through the assisting hands of fellow Christians and neighbors, but also through the comfort of His Word and the Sacraments. 

These are the instances when we realize there is nothing I can do to save myself; all I can do is rely on my Savior, Jesus Christ, and receive His forgiveness and His life.

And for this reason, we must reject any teaching that speaks contrary to this.

You know, when you narrow the Christian faith down to these two paintings or paths, everything starts to become much clearer.

You can live as if everything depends upon you and what you do, or you can live with the faith and trust that everything within your life depends upon Jesus and what He has done for you by dying on the cross.

This is, after all, why we are gathered here this morning—to bring the sorrows and griefs of life to the gates of this altar, the gates of heaven—where Christ comes to you and satisfies you with the gifts of His flesh and blood for the forgiveness of your sin and the foretaste of eternal life. 

As the Psalmist wrote,

[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted

         And binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)

It’s Christ Jesus who binds up your wounds and gives the balm of His peace to your heart. So don’t become distracted by all the choices of this world; instead, look to Him, hear His Word, and receive His grace and forgiveness, and remember His Words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

My friends, no matter where you are led in this life, follow Jesus, through glory and shame, grief and gladness, peaks and valleys, and He will give to you eternal life. +INJ+