Pentecost 18c Luke 16:19-31 Does Jesus Know Your Name?

Amos 6:1-7 1^st Timothy 3:1-13

Our Gospel lesson opens outside the home of a rich man. As we peer through the locked gates, we see him as well dressed, confidant, perhaps even arrogant. He leaves no doubt that he is among the rich and famous. He always eats the finest foods, dresses in the finest clothes and sleeps in the best linens. He knows how to live the good life and he does not hesitate in living like a king.

He is living what we today would call “The American Dream.”  The American dream really has many definitions but overall it is the ideal and idea that one's prosperity depends upon one's own abilities and hard work. For some, it is the opportunity to achieve more prosperity than they could in their countries of origin; or for others, it is the opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and career opportunities; for still others, it is the opportunity to be a free individual to succeed without the constraints imposed by religion, class, race or gender.

Most of us here today have a roof over our head; we have decent jobs, and have the opportunity to improve ourselves through hard work. Some of us have earned enough to be retired and no longer have to work so hard.  In fact, we are living that Great American dream.

But when we look around we still can be envious of others whom we call rich and famous. Among them are movie stars, sports figures and business tycoons. Their names are known world wide and we sometimes read of their extravagant lifestyles. Many people dream of having fame and fortune like them. We do not know the name of the rich man in our lesson but we do know that for this particular man it meant that he lived the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Outside the gate of the rich man’s home we see Lazarus lying on the pavement. He has dreams of his own. His dreams however, are much less ambitious. He hopes to have some small morsels of food to eat and perhaps some water to drink.

He dreams of having someone apply ointment to the huge sores that cover his body so that he has relief and perhaps his wounds may be healed. He is so pathetic; the rich man’s dogs come out and lick his sores.

Now during the time that Jesus walked upon the earth dogs were considered to be unclean. In fact the Pharisees called Samaritans and non-Jewish people ‘dogs” whom they believed to be inferior to them.  Even today people sometimes call someone a ‘son of a dog’ when they want to condemn or insult them.  But Lazarus who dreams of getting real medical attention takes comfort only from the dogs licking his wounds. Now if only someone would give him some food--Ah that would be so wonderful.

Inside the gate lies food and comfort. Inside the gate is the land of opportunity, everything that Lazarus has dreamed of and even more lies just out of reach, but the gate remains locked to Lazarus. People come and go, including the rich man’s five brothers. They ignore Lazarus and pretend that he does not exist.  They do not know his name or at the very most, they have no need of recognizing him. They ignore him as they enter through the gate which Lazarus is not allowed through. The gate abruptly slams shut behind the brothers as they turn their backs on the poor man and walk to the feast that awaits.

So Lazarus dies outside of that gate—still hoping for food but also trusting in God to take care of him. His death goes unnoticed by most but is somewhat of a relief to those who had to walk around him. The angels come and carry Lazarus to heaven. Because of His trust in God, he is greeted with a feast in paradise and becomes part of the eternal celebration with angels, archangels and all the saints in heaven.

The rich man also dies. Someone finds his body and is shocked at his death because he had so much to live for. Family, friends, political leaders, religious authorities, and others of importance gather at his home. His body is prepared for burial and He is naturally dressed in the best clothes from one of his closets. There is a feast of fine food from his kitchen, but the rich man cannot partake of it.

The rich man finds himself in hell. Isaiah tells of this place. He says, “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”  Our Scripture lesson calls it Hades, the Greek word for the place where all of the dead go. Hades however is the place where the only spiritually dead go. Jesus’ description of the rich man’s lamentable condition identifies it as hell.

We know however that those who trust in Jesus go into paradise.   Remember the thief on the cross? Jesus told him, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Those who have been made alive in Christ do not go into Hades, they are carried into heaven.

The issue here regarding salvation is not wealth or poverty, it is trust in God. Abraham does not say that all rich people go to hell and all the poor go to heaven. The rich man trusted his money and his earthly possessions. He locked up his money and possessions and his heart behind a wall and kept the gate locked. Lazarus trusted in God’s promise. Salvation may seem easier for Lazarus because he had no money to depend on, but some poor or sick people curse and blame God for their poverty or illness. While at the same time, some rich people thank God for their health and wealth and use it to serve God and others less fortunate.

Several scripture passages come to mind as I read our Gospel lesson. In Revelation Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20 (ESV) The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus “was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

Some people see Jesus as Lazarus. He came humbly into the world. He was not looked upon as a celebrity. He had no riches, beauty or majesty so that we would look at Him in admiration. (Isaiah 53:2) He sat outside the gate of Jerusalem covered with the sores causes by our sins.

 His own people rejected Him and the gentiles and the repentant sinners were the only ones who came to Him even after He died and rose again.

Others see Jesus as Lazarus as well but only as the rich man does. Jesus is at the gate but they ignore Him. He is close to them but is of no real importance in their lives. As they pass Him by, they lock the gate behind them.  They shut Jesus out of their lives even though He is so close—right outside of their hearts. They pass him by with no regard for His suffering--even His death on the cross. And although He rose from the dead, like the five brothers in our Gospel lesson, they pay little or no attention to Him or to scripture.

Neither do they have any regard for worship, Baptism or His Supper. Those who have locked Christ out, see no need to let Him into their hearts.  Even when they come to Church, they see only a small portion of bread and wine and they would much rather feast at a fine restaurant than eat such a pitiful portion.

When their time on earth ends, and as they stand before Jesus in all of His power and glory, He will say to them, “Depart from me for I never knew you.” All those who have rejected Christ will not be known in eternity by God or by anyone who is in heaven. Like the rich man in Hell, their names are not mentioned. Remembering those who are not there would only bring sadness. And there will only be joy in heaven. As John tells us in Revelation, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 ESV) 

Today as we worship, we proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the One who died and is now in heaven. We remember our baptism (and we celebrate the baptism of little Christopher). Baptism is important because at your Baptism, God marks you as one of His children. Essentially God writes His name upon your heart and gives you a name, the name of Christ.  God literally chooses you to be His sons and daughters-brothers and sisters of Jesus. God knows your name. In fact everyone in heaven knows your name.

As Saint Peter says, “Baptism now saves you.” (1 Peter 3:21) But your baptism, your salvation is not by your own work--not your own washing sins of away, but rather it is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Jesus Christ makes His appeal before God on your behalf as you continue to trust in Him.

Each time you turn to God in faith and repentance, each time you witness your faith in Christ and each time you do the will of your Father in heaven, you reveal your name to God and give glory to Jesus. Each time you come to His supper you declare Christ’s death upon the cross and His resurrection.  You proclaim that He is the one who now dwells within the gates of your heart willingly enduring the pain and suffering of your sins and feeding you with His very body and blood for your forgiveness.

Right now we get a foretaste, a small portion of the marriage feast to come as we celebrate His Supper. But that portion is truly greater than any meal the world has to offer. As you and I share in His supper, the gates of heaven open up and we share in the great banquet feast with angels, archangels and all of the company of heaven—including Lazarus; always in the name of and for the sake of Jesus, Amen.