The Messiah’s Secret – The Rich Man and Lazarus

  (Children’s spot)

Placed on the table a blanket cereals and tinned foods.
Being a Christian is about helping people like Lazarus and also friends and family.

Several children brought to out a word and read it out: 'giving tins of food and chocolate', 'pray to Jesus', 'help mum', 'help dad', 'help grandparents', 'give some of our pocket money to help others', 'feed the birds and be kind to animals'. 

On the screen: Some of the voluntary work that members of our Church Fellowship are involved in: Hospital, Charity Shops, Civic Pride, Aid Agencies and the Voluntary work within the frame work of St Mary’s.

Jesus  was drawing to the attention of the Pharisees Scribes and Lawyers in the parable, to show by example God’s justice and love to their own people.  

 A parable  – is comparable with a real life situation.   

The Jewish rich man had paid little or no attention to the plight of Lazarus, he thought only of himself. He may have considered that he was doing his bit by throwing the bread that was used to wipe his hands with after his meal to the beggars at his gate. However, he was guilty of treating the poor man, Lazarus a son of Abraham, like a Gentile. 

Jesus uses the common term used in those days as reference to a Gentile ‘a dog’ here in the passage the dogs are described as licking Lazarus’ sores. Jesus introduced a Gentile who was attending to a Jewish man’s well-being; a person who cared enough to show compassion and practical help. 

Under the Law of Moses Lazarus as a son of Abraham should have expected to be helped, “If there is among you a poor man, one of your brethren, in any of your towns within your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your hearts or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him, . . . . . . You shall give him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him; because for this the Lord you God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” Deuteronomy 15: 7 – 11   

This was Jesus’ point these leaders were neglecting justice and the love of God. It was unjust of the rich man to ignore Lazarus’ need of help under law and he denied him the love of God in God wanting his people to love and care for one another. Luke 11: 42. 

Jesus’ ministry was to the sons of Abraham mainly who were outcasts: the tax collectors, the prodigal sons and people like Lazarus He was showing God’s love in reaching out to gather the nation, all the people in readiness for his return bringing in the kingdom.

Practice what you preach.
 “Jesus said on one occasion “ The Scribes and  the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.” Matthew 23 v 1.   

Paul in his letter to Timothy reminded him to put into practice what he had taught him that the love of money is a snare it makes people selfish. He said not to desire things that are temporal but to seek those things that will last for ever.                          

                                                                                                                           

 “But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6: 33
Our search to find God is not straight forward, there are many ways; we can find God in creation while looking at a sunset, holding a new born baby, reading or hearing a verse of scripture from the Bible or singing a hymn etc

After we enter into our relationship with the Lord Jesus our God, we have started on a journey of faith and we discover how real God’s love is, the peace and joy in times of stress, resting in the knowledge that whatever our circumstances are, the Lord Jesus is in it, with us. These things stem from knowing who we are in Christ, we are children of God. 

Taking Care of one another
The churches ministry today is to the people who need a helping hand, relief from suffering whatever their background or circumstances might be. We can help in practical ways and when asked, 'why you are doing this for me?' we are able to tell them about Jesus and God’s love for them.  

After death, the rich man became aware that he had neglected his responsibility to love and support his brother Lazarus.

Out of the abundance of our lives, our scripture readings remind us that we have a commitment to our church and its needs, the Diocese and the wider church. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who need our help.  Our Harvest Project this year is helping Christians in Cambodia. (Our Tear Fund rep presented the project.) 

In the parable Jesus upheld Lazarus by saying when he died he was with Abraham in Paradise, whereas, the rich man was in a place of torment Gehnna or hell.

The rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus from Paradise to him in Gehnna, but it was not possible there was a gulf between the two places. Abraham could not warn his brothers either. There was no opportunity for him to make amends.

John Bacon the once famous sculptor left an inscription to be placed on his tomb after his death in Westminster Abbey: “What I was as an artist, seemed of some importance to me while I lived; but what I was as a believer in Jesus Christ is the only thing of importance to me now.”

Jesus ends this parable saying, if the rich men of Israel who read the scriptures were not convinced through his teaching, the signs and miracles neither would they believe in his resurrection from the dead. His words were realised when John the disciple wrote.

 “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” John 1: 10 – 12.

*On another occasion, an incident that happened when the Gentile Syrophoenician lady approached Jesus for him to heal her daughter, but Jesus in his reply pointed out to her “Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”                                   

The Messiah’s ministry was first and foremost to the Israelites, the children of God. Jesus was feeding them with his word and signs. For Jesus to consider changing direction to take his message to the Gentiles at this point, ‘to throw away the children’s bread’ his message was directed to the nation of Israel.

The woman answered him “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”, this Gentile lady was looking to eat the crumbs, the words that were falling from the mouth of Jesus, she believed that he was the Jewish Messiah and wanted to partake of the blessings. Jesus commended her for her answer and her daughter was healed. Mark 7 v 24-30

In this encounter we can envisage the new covenant embracing the Gentiles. As Gentiles we have entered into the blessings from our Father God to all his children in every nation.

The Messiah's Secret - The Lost Sheep 

In  our Gospel reading Jesus was sat eating with tax collectors and others who were termed as sinners. I wondered if Matthew who was once was a tax collector was gossiping the Gospel, eager for some of his associates to come and listen to Jesus.  Luke 15: 1-10 

It is only when Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees and scribes that we get a glimpse of what he was discussing with them.  He was gathering the lost sheep of the house of Israel in preparation for the coming in of the kingdom.                                                   

The Parable of the lost sheep  

Jesus referred to the ninety nine sheep, these were the people who kept to the letter of the laws of Moses and were righteous, their names written in ‘The Book of Life’. 

“But now, if thou wilt forgive their sin-and if not-blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Exodus 32: 32.  

“But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose names shall be found written in the book.”               Daniel 12: 1.

The lost sheep were like Matthew the disciple who was once a tax collector and deemed as an outcast because of collecting taxes for the Romans and for coming in contact with them on a regular basis.  

The tax collectors reputation for fraud was highlighted when Jesus invited himself for tea at Zacchaeus’ home. Afterwards he announced that he would make restitution under Jewish 4 times above the amount he had acquired by fraudulent means. Exodus 22. Jesus announced that salvation had come to his house. “For the Son of man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19: 1 – 10.  

The Messiah's Secret page 32, 33  

These lost sheep were regarded as having no hope and were lost to God. People like the poor, the homeless and the beggars Most of these people had given up on the law, as they probably could not afford to buy their sin offerings and as a result were cut off from the law. Through the shepherd, Jesus, in his love assured them of their place in the kingdom. Jesus said that there was great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who need no repentance.                                       

Jesus’ mission he was gathering, embracing the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10: 6  

These people whom God loved and their love for God and had faith in Him Jesus was removing the overburdening laws that had been added by the Pharisees. Having heard the call of the shepherd, they became followers of Jesus and as a result were not allowed in the synagogues. John 9: 22.                                                                  

My niece introduced us to her boyfriend, we learnt that he worked for the Inland Revenue. We could not resist to pull his leg about his job; even today collecting taxes for the government is not popular.  

A new Christian had problems sleeping and wrote to the Inland Revenue enclosing a cheque for £100. “Please find enclosed a cheque for £100.” PS. “And if I still can’t sleep, I’ll send you the rest.”  

Today we are heavily taxed, I remember several years ago, my aunt complaining that her pensions and savings were taxed twice.  With the financial crisis our taxes have increased. The latest VAT on water and more increases in the pipe line.

The Food Banks are stepping in to relieve a growing number of people's crisis in making ends meet. Often putting paying their bills before they spend money on food and for some that means going without food. This is where Jesus is carrying the brokenhearted, those who are suffering. By contributing food to the Food Banks we are helping to carry, release people from their burden.              Carved Hands - Derwentwater, Keswick                                                                 

Under man’s ruling authority we will always have the poor and downtrodden. Matthew 26: 11.                                                                                                                                 Injustice and poverty in the 18 century was heard in a nursery rhyme, an appeal through the voices of children. Today, it’s the children who suffer most, as some go to school without having any breakfast.                                                                            

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather his lambs in his arms.” Isaiah 40: 11.   Words to Baa Baa Black Sheep by our church’s organist

Jesus, Jesus loves His little sheep.

White ones, black ones, He will keep

all who come to Him, all in their need

No-one will be denied, He all will feed.                                                                          

Jesus, Jesus loves His little sheep

Will you come to him, stay and reap

 all His love for you, forever the same

 Will you come to him, and take his name.

In the nursery rhyme 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' the black wool 
I interpret as being 'the sin of  injustice.' Only the rich could afford the expensive black wool.

You cannot dye black wool; I have tried using bleach to lift the black colour out of the wool, but it did not work. It reminds me that we can’t change the colour of our heart; the stain of sin won’t bleach out by our own effort.

Jesus does not look at the colour of a person’s skin but looks at the stain on the heart.

Paul recalled how he persecuted the church in his unbelief. His life changed dramatically when he saw Jesus in a vision on the Damascus road, and he heard Jesus say those words, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me!” From hearing the words of Jesus in his heart, he was changed man and he followed Jesus.

Peter had denied Jesus three times, when he heard the cock crow and he remembered Jesus’ words to him. “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter . . . “Before the cock crows today you will deny me three times. And Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22: 61

The Lost Coin

The woman who lost the coin that belonged to her. If we think of this coin as her relationship with God and were she is struggling to find the Lord her God to answer her prayer.

Sometimes when we are anxiously seeking the Lord for answers to a situation or a problem, he just does not seem to be there we cry out, ‘Where are you Lord, when I need you?’

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrote, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1: 16-18

Or it may be that we have lost sight of the passion that we once had to proclaim the Gospel to our friends.

 “Being rooted and grounded in love may we have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, length, height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 17-19.

We want to rekindle the flame of our smoking embers.

Prayer

Help us gracious Lord, to seek out and embrace the years that the locusts have eaten. That you would stir up the flame within us, so that we may shine for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.