Are You Convinced?

The text that confronts us today is a story about two men. There was a wealthy man, whose name we are not given. However, we are told that this wealthy man was dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. As many of you may remember, purple clothing was for nobility and was a sign of extreme wealth. Purple dye was very expensive in those days. Only the upper echelon of society and the High Priest could afford it. We are also told that his undergarments were of fine linen. Linen, the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

And then we see our second man, Lazarus. He was on the opposite end of the spectrum. Lazarus was very poor and destitute. He was disabled and covered in sores that even the dogs would come and lick. Lazarus barely made it day to day, surviving only on what scraps was afforded him from the rich man’s table.

Are You Convinced?

The text that confronts us today is a story about two men. There was a wealthy man, whose name we are not given. However, we are told that this wealthy man was dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. As many of you may remember, purple clothing was for nobility and was a sign of extreme wealth. Purple dye was very expensive in those days. Only the upper echelon of society and the High Priest could afford it. We are also told that his undergarments were of fine linen. Linen, the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Then came the fateful day when Lazarus and the rich man died. The text tells us that Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. But the rich man was buried and was in hell.

The rich man would fit very well in today’s society. You see, the rich man lived the lifestyle that seems to engulf each of us here today, a lifestyle of self-indulgence. He had everything he had ever wanted in life. He ate rich foods every day, was dressed in the finest attire attesting to his way of life. But this does not seem to be the issue here, as the Gospel is silent in regards to any sins of this man, for it would speak loudly on the subject. But here, though the fancy attire and decadent food are but menial and external things. Luther says, “Wherefore, we must conclude that he carried outwardly a sort of decorous and holy conversation; and so much so, that he seemed both to himself and to others, to fulfill the law of Moses.” (Select Works of Martin Luther: Offering to the Church of God in “the Last Days,” Vol 1, pg 428).

And then we see our second man, Lazarus. He was on the opposite end of the spectrum. Lazarus was very poor and destitute. He was disabled and covered in sores that even the dogs would come and lick. Lazarus barely made it day to day, surviving only on what scraps was afforded him from the rich man’s table.

However, Lazarus had been afflicted his entire life. nothing really to call his own, could not work, and therefore could not support himself. He was really down and out, with some sort of skin disorder that left him with open oozing sores all over his body. Lazarus’ only recourse was to beg for the rest of his life, just to make it one day at a time.

Then came the fateful day when Lazarus and the rich man died. The text tells us that Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. But the rich man was buried and was in hell.

The rich man would fit very well in today’s society. You see, the rich man lived the lifestyle that seems to engulf each of us here today, a lifestyle of self-indulgence. He had everything he had ever wanted in life. He ate rich foods every day, was dressed in the finest attire attesting to his way of life. But this does not seem to be the issue here, as the Gospel is silent in regard to any sins of this man, for it would speak loudly on the subject. But here, though the fancy attire and decadent food are but menial and external things. Luther says, “Wherefore, we must conclude that he carried outwardly a sort of decorous and holy conversation; and so much so, that he seemed both to himself and to others, to fulfill the law of Moses.” (Select Works of Martin Luther: Offering to the Church of God in “the Last Days,” Vol 1, pg 428).

This parable points to a couple of very important things, faith/unbelief and the finality of death and judgment. In this text, we also see the graciousness of our Lord that saves the least of these who are externally unworthy, yet who are convinced by Moses and the Prophets fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

However, Lazarus had been afflicted his entire life. nothing really to call his own, could not work, and therefore could not support himself. He was really down and out, with some sort of skin disorder that left him with open oozing sores all over his body. Lazarus’ only recourse was to beg for the rest of his life, just to make it one day at a time.

Are you convinced? Dear family, you all who sit there and listen to me go on and on every Sunday from Moses and the Prophets, are you convinced? The rich man was certainly not. And from his lifestyle, he and everyone else considered him blessed by God. But remember, the Pharisees and Sadducees appeared to be blessed by God externally also. They all had wealth, the best of foods, the finest of clothing and Israel in Jesus’ day considered them the finest examples of their faith. But they were, in reality, wolves in sheep’s clothing.

By the externals of life the world judges who is blessed and cursed. Those of us with large homes, nice clothes, decent cars, we are considered blessed. But what they cannot see is what is in the heart. Only One can do that, God Himself.

This parable points to a couple of very important things, faith/unbelief and the finality of death and judgment. In this text, we also see the graciousness of our Lord that saves the least of these who are externally unworthy, yet who are convinced by Moses and the Prophets fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

God looks into the heart. He alone sees faith and loving obedience, or rejection and self-fulfilled life. The interesting thing in this parable today is that the rich man, who is suffering in hell, is trying to make a special deal with God. He calls Abraham “father” which means that he was a Jewish man, he had heard Moses and the Prophets, as has his brothers. So he begs Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers. In essence, he is trying to subvert God’s only way of salvation. He is seeking special dispensation to have a dead man come back to life and warn his family, a treatment that no one else is afforded.

Are you convinced? Dear family, you all who sit there and listen to me go on and on every Sunday from Moses and the Prophets, are you convinced? The rich man was certainly not. And from his lifestyle, he and everyone else considered him blessed by God. But remember, the Pharisees and Sadducees appeared to be blessed by God externally also. They all had wealth, the best of foods, the finest of clothing and Israel in Jesus’ day considered them the finest examples of their faith. But they were, in reality, wolves in sheep’s clothing.

As the Holy Spirit searches hearts, what does He see in yours? Does He see in you a heart that is pure, that is a heart that knows its place before a holy and just God? Does He see a humble heart, that is broken and shredded by your own sin, the ways of the world and the devil himself that knows it cannot save itself and must rely on the all sufficient atoning sacrifice of Jesus? Or, does the Holy Spirit see right through the sheep’s fleece that you cloak yourself in? Does He see a heart that believes it is righteous in and of itself? Does He see a heart that is as black as midnight with no moon? A heart that has been so desensitized that sin is no longer a sin in your mind, because that is how the world works? Does He see a heart that thinks it has everyone, including God, fooled with its costly attire and Christianized speech yet in its depths it is full of “dead man’s bones” as Jesus puts it? It is here deeply hidden in the secret recesses of the heart: namely unbelief. For when the heart is destitute of faith, the heart chases after things the vanities of the world; they fill his thoughts, and he continues to seek after the, and never rests until it has acquired them. And as soon as he has gained his heart’s desire he begins to feed himself like a hog, wallowing in this muck, he crams his belly, and places all his happiness in these vanities and is quite unconcerned how it is between God and his heart. Then he falls into yet other sins such as not loving or caring for his neighbor, for it is impossible for one who is so destitute of faith to show any care or concern for his neighbor.

The second point this text makes is the finality of death and judgment. Both men, Lazarus and the rich man, died. Lazarus was taken into heaven to the side of Abraham, and the rich man into hades. When this rich man finds himself in agony and torment he reaches out to Abraham for relief and help. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus to hell to “dip the end of his finger in water and cool [his] tongue”. At the moment of death, each person is taken where he or she will spend the rest of eternity. The Christian life is not like playing Monopoly. You don’t get to go back to go and collect your $200. There are no get out of hell free cards after death. One’s opportunity for repentance and faith is now in this life. There are no re-do’s. There are no opportunities once a person dies to try to make things right between Jesus and you. That time is now!

By the externals of life, the world judges who is blessed and cursed. Those of us with large homes, nice clothes, decent cars, we are considered blessed. But what they cannot see is what is in the heart. Only One can do that, God Himself.

The writer to the Hebrews states, “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” There is no wiggle room here. There is no riding the fence. Once a person is dead, he or she is dead. Nothing more can be done about repentance, no matter how hard you cry and plead your case, the offer of clemency is off the table. And it is a terrible thing for an unrepentant sinner to stand in the presence of a holy and just God.

God looks into the heart. He alone sees faith and loving obedience, or rejection and self-fulfilled life. The interesting thing in this parable today is that the rich man, who is suffering in hell, is trying to make a special deal with God. He calls Abraham “father” which means that he was a Jewish man, he had heard Moses and the Prophets, as has his brothers. So he begs Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers. In essence, he is trying to subvert God’s only way of salvation. He is seeking special dispensation to have a dead man come back to life and warn his family, a treatment that no one else is afforded.

Abraham informs the rich man in torment that there is a great chasm fixed between he and the rich man and vice-verse. No one can pass from heaven to hell nor can anyone from hell pass over into heaven. Once you have been placed in your eternal home, that is yours for the rest of eternity. Death is final. Judgment is final.

But there is hope. Hope comes only in this life, though. God has given the world everything it needs for daily life, and also for eternal life. We have been given the Law and the Prophets. We have Moses and all the Law and Promises of God contained therein. Moses reiterates again for Israel the importance of the Word of God. “For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess” ().

As the Holy Spirit searches hearts, what does He see in yours? Does He see in you a heart that is pure, that is a heart that knows its place before a holy and just God? Does He see a humble heart, that is broken and shredded by your own sin, the ways of the world and the devil himself that knows it cannot save itself and must rely on the all sufficient atoning sacrifice of Jesus? Or, does the Holy Spirit see right through the sheep’s fleece that you cloak yourself in? Does He see a heart that believes it is righteous in and of itself? Does He see a heart that is as black as midnight with no moon? A heart that has been so desensitized that sin is no longer a sin in your mind, because that is how the world works? Does He see a heart that thinks it has everyone, including God, fooled with its costly attire and Christianized speech yet in its depths it is full of “dead man’s bones” as Jesus puts it? It is here deeply hidden in the secret recesses of the heart: namely unbelief. For when the heart is destitute of faith, the heart chases after things the vanities of the world; they fill his thoughts, and he continues to seek after the, and never rests until it has acquired them. And as soon as he has gained his heart’s desire, he begins to feed himself like a hog, wallowing in this muck, he crams his belly, and places all his happiness in these vanities and is quite unconcerned how it is between God and his heart. Then he falls into yet other sins such as not loving or caring for his neighbor, for it is impossible for one who is so destitute of faith to show any care or concern for his neighbor.

Within God’s precious Word we do find life, but we also find curses and death. Through the Word of God we are brought into faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. He has been doing this since the beginning of time, and continues today. The Holy Spirit brings the Word of God into our heart and convinces us, through faith, that the Words of God are true, that He is sending a redeemer for all mankind. Then God brought all things to fruition. In the birth of Jesus, the angles sang, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (). In Jesus all of God’s promises are fulfilled.

The second point this text makes is the finality of death and judgment. Both men, Lazarus and the rich man, died. Lazarus was taken into heaven to the side of Abraham, and the rich man into hades. When this rich man finds himself in agony and torment he reaches out to Abraham for relief and help. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus to hell to “dip the end of his finger in water and cool [his] tongue”. At the moment of death, each person is taken where he or she will spend the rest of eternity. The Christian life is not like playing Monopoly. You don’t get to go back to go and collect your $200. There are no get out of hell free cards after death. One’s opportunity for repentance and faith is now in this life. There are no re-dos. There are no opportunities once a person dies to try to make things right between Jesus and you. That time is now!

Jesus was born for one purpose, to give His life as a ransom for many. In His death on the cross, Jesus took all the sin of the whole world upon Himself. He suffered the full wrath of God in our place. He who was the spotless Lamb of God was slain and His blood set us free to be people of God. It is through faith that the heart is made clean. It is through faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, who gave His life in exchange for ours. It is through faith that Lazarus was counted worthy by God and sits with Abraham in eternal comfort and peace. It is only through faith in the coming Messiah that Lazarus and His suffering with sores and in destitute poverty that God counts as precious, for the Psalmist writes in chapter 116, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

The writer to the Hebrews states, “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” There is no wiggle room here. There is no riding the fence. Once a person is dead, he or she is dead. Nothing more can be done about repentance, no matter how hard you cry and plead your case, the offer of clemency is off the table. And it is a terrible thing for an unrepentant sinner to stand in the presence of a holy and just God.

“This is true and living faith: whereby through the knowledge of the goodness of God, the heart becomes so broken and softened, that nothing can be enjoined so great and so arduous, which it would not be ready to undertake and to accomplish with fortitude” (Select Works of Martin Luther: An Offering to the Church of God “in the last days”; Vol 1, pg 433). In other words, what Martin Luther is saying here is that through the knowledge of the goodness of God, the heart becomes so broken and softened, that there is nothing so arduous or great that that faith would not only be able to undertake but would be able to accomplish with great courage even in the face of uncertainty, pain or danger. This is a view inside a regenerate heart. One that so strongly believes in the saving work of Christ, that our love and care of neighbor shine forth like a “city on a hill” that cannot be hidden. The two things are inseparable: faith and good works.

Abraham informs the rich man in torment that there is a great chasm fixed between he and the rich man and vice-verse. No one can pass from heaven to hell nor can anyone from hell pass over into heaven. Once you have been placed in your eternal home, that is yours for the rest of eternity. Death is final. Judgment is final.

So, back to our two men, Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man pleads that Abraham send Lazarus back to warn his five brothers. Yet Abraham responds to this request by saying “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (v. 31). Jesus entered our world of sin and death to join Himself to our plight. He carried our sin, was crucified for it and three days later was raised from the dead. How many were convinced? It took the disciples a little while to be convinced after the resurrection, especially Thomas. One would think, that especially in that day, as everyone knew that Jesus was indeed crucified, died and was buried, to see Jesus alive, walking, talking and eating and drinking, that His reappearing after death would cause such a great stir that everyone would be in awe and fall down and worship Him on the spot. However, what we do see is a cover up by the Pharisees and priests. Bribes were given to people to accept a lie over the truth. “neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

But there is hope. Hope comes only in this life, though. God has given the world everything it needs for daily life, and also for eternal life. We have been given the Law and the Prophets. We have Moses and all the Law and Promises of God contained therein. Moses reiterates again for Israel the importance of the Word of God. “For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess” ().

So, dearest family, are you convinced? Has the Word of God made such an impact on your life that you hold firmly to your Lord? If not, if you know in your heart that it is back as coal, and you have rejected Him and the life He has for you, the time is now. Pray to the Holy Spirit to soften your heart and help you believe, and then to faithfully submit to your God and King.

Within God’s precious Word we do find life, but we also find curses and death. Through the Word of God we are brought into faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. He has been doing this since the beginning of time, and continues today. The Holy Spirit brings the Word of God into our heart and convinces us, through faith, that the Words of God are true, that He is sending a redeemer for all mankind. Then God brought all things to fruition. In the birth of Jesus, the angles sang, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (). In Jesus all of God’s promises are fulfilled.

A story of two men. One poor and needy, the other rich and stubborn. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (, ).

Jesus was born for one purpose, to give His life as a ransom for many. In His death on the cross, Jesus took all the sin of the whole world upon Himself. He suffered the full wrath of God in our place. He who was the spotless Lamb of God was slain and His blood set us free to be people of God. It is through faith that the heart is made clean. It is through faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, who gave His life in exchange for ours. It is through faith that Lazarus was counted worthy by God and sits with Abraham in eternal comfort and peace. It is only through faith in the coming Messiah that Lazarus and His suffering with sores and in destitute poverty that God counts as precious, for the Psalmist writes in chapter 116, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

in the name of Jesus and for His eternal glory. Amen.

“This is true and living faith: whereby through the knowledge of the goodness of God, the heart becomes so broken and softened, that nothing can be enjoined so great and so arduous, which it would not be ready to undertake and to accomplish with fortitude” (Select Works of Martin Luther: An Offering to the Church of God “in the last days”; Vol 1, pg 433). In other words, what Martin Luther is saying here is that through the knowledge of the goodness of God, the heart becomes so broken and softened, that there is nothing so arduous or great that that faith would not only be able to undertake but would be able to accomplish with great courage even in the face of uncertainty, pain or danger. This is a view inside a regenerate heart. One that so strongly believes in the saving work of Christ, that our love and care of neighbor shine forth like a “city on a hill” that cannot be hidden. The two things are inseparable: faith and good works.

So, back to our two men, Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man pleads that Abraham send Lazarus back to warn his five brothers. Yet Abraham responds to this request by saying “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (v. 31). Jesus entered our world of sin and death to join Himself to our plight. He carried our sin, was crucified for it and three days later was raised from the dead. How many were convinced? It took the disciples a little while to be convinced after the resurrection, especially Thomas. One would think, that especially in that day, as everyone knew that Jesus was indeed crucified, died and was buried, to see Jesus alive, walking, talking and eating and drinking, that His reappearing after death would cause such a great stir that everyone would be in awe and fall down and worship Him on the spot. However, what we do see is a cover up by the Pharisees and priests. Bribes were given to people to accept a lie over the truth. “neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

So, dearest family, are you convinced? Has the Word of God made such an impact on your life that you hold firmly to your Lord? If not, if you know in your heart that it is back as coal, and you have rejected Him and the life He has for you, the time is now. Pray to the Holy Spirit to soften your heart and help you believe, and then to faithfully submit to your God and King.

A story of two men. One poor and needy, the other rich and stubborn. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (, ).

in the name of Jesus and for His eternal glory. Amen.