 I’m in the minority when it comes to making sense of this story told by Jesus. I am amazed how many preachers/commentators say it is a true story to be taken literally. Really? It’s a parable/story used by Jesus to make a larger point. If it is a literal story we need to accept the whole, including the “fact” there is a telephone between heaven and hell: “So [the rich man] called [Father Abraham]…” (Luke 19:24) If the story is literally true, who is Father Abraham? How does Father Abraham fit into our ideas of heaven?
Those that take this story literally point out no other parable gives characters a name ~~ Lazarus. So what! Many healing miracles of Jesus have unique elements different from any other healing miracle like the time he used his spit to make mud and put on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus taught in many ways, wisdom sayings, hard sayings like it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man making it to heaven. This story adds to the depth of Jesus method of teaching. Jesus is using known fictional characters everyone understood. In our culture, if I tell a story about Robin Hood, you now it is a fictional story with a true to life message: a man striving for justice by taking from the rich and giving to the poor. The characters in today’s parable:
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 Years ago I happen to show up at a party around a campfire. My friend was drunk. I’d known him years. It was disappointing but in keeping with his patterns. Sometimes you gotta laugh. My friend was so snockered he had fallen onto his back, holding his beer, and squirming like a beetle on its back unable to turn over. All you can do at that point is smile because what else do you got? I helped him up. Then came the surprise. My friend figured out who had just got him up, and through his slurred words, he proceeded to ask my opinion on one of the Psalms that he had been studying for his devotions that morning. That incident changed my view of the world when it comes to people that don’t have it all together. The lesson: messy people have something to offer.
I recently became reacquainted with a thirty something year old man that I knew in his late teens and into his 20’s. I was disheartened when I was told about the time a few years ago his children were taken away, and the chatter among some of the case workers was that “people like him don’t have feelings.” This man has issues, and he has feelings. He was hurt. I told him I’d be proud for him to sit by me in church should he ever find the courage to attend. We tend to write off people we don’t understand.  The Lord gives you choice in how you respond to the stuff of life! I have no idea how some folks navigate without faith in Jesus.
How you respond is everything. silly memes: Several of you posted on FB: “Everything happens for a reason. But sometimes the reason is that you’re stupid and make bad decisions.” “Never laugh at your wife’s choices, you are one of them.” “I wish there was an autocorrect function for life’s choices.” “Some people don’t wanna be fixed because being broken gets them attention!” Choices. I learned an early lesson from my father about not playing the victim. (I’ve used it before.) I was 7-8 years old playing with my best friend Keith on the roof of the CRC parsonage when we decided to jump off the roof. I sprained my ankle ~ oh the pain. I did the only reasonable thing ~~ I pretended I fell because I figured it was in my best interest for people to feel sorry for me. My mother felt sorry for me…. The Peterson’s felt sorry for me. I felt sorry for me. The whole world felt sorry for me, that is… until my father walked into the living room with me groaning on the couch./// My father laughed….  Anyone have problems with your memory?
An 80 year old couple was having problems remembering things, so they went to the doctor and explained about the problems with remembering stuff. After examining them, the doctor says they are physically good but suggests writing things down to help them remember. That night while watching TV, the old man got up and his wife asks, "Where are you going?" "To the kitchen." "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" "Sure." "Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember?" "No, I can remember that." "I also would like strawberries. You had better write that down cuz I know you'll forget that." "I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries." "I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so write it down." "I don't need to write that down, I can remember." He then stomps off into the kitchen. After 20 minutes he returns with a plate of bacon & eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, "You forgot my toast." The key to this message today is to remember, to remember the things of God, to remember what he has done, to bring to mind the way he has rescued his people, provided for His people, the way he has saved His people. |
 
Carl Crouse, Pastor
At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights. Categories
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