Resting in the Bosom of Mercy

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“If we considered it more carefully, we should have to declare that our whole life is enclosed and established in the bosom of the mercy of God.” (AE 12:320). In his comments on Psalm 51, Martin Luther taught that the whole Christian life is one of begging for God's mercy. He says also, “It is a real theological virtue to cover our sin with prayer this way, and when we feel our weakness, to take refuge in this song: 'Have mercy on me, O God.'”

In today's gospel lesson, we heard about two men, a beggar named Lazarus and an unnamed rich man. The rich man feasted sumptuously everyday and was bedecked with the finest clothing money could buy. Meanwhile, Lazarus lay at his gate and begged for scraps, even to the desperation of hoping for the bits only fit for dogs. He was covered in sores, and only the dogs came to his aid. In the end, both men died and reached their final ends. Lazarus was carried by the angels into heaven, where he rested at the bosom of Abraham. On the other hand, the rich man was buried, and he came into eternal torment.

 

These two men had both received the mercy of God on earth. They both were sons of Abraham according to the Law. Both had Moses and the Prophets at their disposal, if only they would listen to them. They both had heard the Word of God proclaimed to them, and both had equal access to and claim upon the mercy of God for their repentant souls.

But herein lies the difference – the condition of their souls. For Lazarus, having heard Moses and the Prophets, believed their preaching and repented of his sin. He had nothing to lose, and nowhere else to turn for help and comfort. In his earthly state, he was resigned to begging and lying in the gutter, with only dogs to tend his sores. He could do none other than cry out, “Lord, have mercy!” He was the poor man, waiting anxiously to be comforted and filled. And God heard his cries for mercy, and answered them. Though Lazarus was poor and downtrodden on earth, at his death, the angels carried him to the bosom of Abraham, where he received his eternal fulfillment. We have his name recorded because his name is recorded among the saints enrolled in the Book of Life, because Lazarus heard the Word of God and believed.

On the other hand, the rich man had all that one could desire in this body and life. He had wealth, health, and popularity. He wore the finest designer clothing and ate and drank the best of the best every day. Jesus' telling indicates that he feasted to excess at every turn. And yet, he had not even a crumb to spare for poor Lazarus lying at his gate. He had the Law and the Prophets, but did not hear and learn them. Because of his material security, he paid no heed to the Word of God and did not repent of his sins. He trusted in the salvation of the world rather than the salvation of God. His heart was set on the pleasures of the flesh, and could not muster up an ounce of repentance. Even in Hades, he considered Lazarus a servant to be sent to give him comfort. Although he was a son of Abraham, he could not enter the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because he had failed to hear and believe the faith once given to and through Abraham. And so he was taken from his world of luxury and eternally consigned to the torment of hell. His name is not recorded in Scripture, since it is not recorded before God.

You and I, too, have received great mercy from God our Father. You have received the washing of new birth and regeneration in the Holy Spirit. You have heard the preaching of the Law and the Prophets. You have received the promises of God for your salvation. You have even received the salvation of our God upon your very tongue.

But have you heeded this great blessing? Have you let some crumbs fall from your table to the dogs in need? Have you shared of your many blessings with those in need? Consider your station in life. Have you given your children and grandchildren the faith once given for all? Have you come to the aid of the beggar in the gutter? Have you raised your hands and voice and wallet and voting button to save the defenseless and helpless among us? Have you recalled the promises of God, and cried out for His mercy?

The answer is no. Not one of us has used our wealth and resources as we ought. We have all failed to help those in need when we had the chance. We have all spent our time and resources in feasting while those near us were starving. We have all trusted in the security of this world and its trappings. We have all failed to cry out to God for mercy. There is nothing left for us, but to cry out, “Lamb of God that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us!”

But, lest you despair, there is mercy in abundance waiting for you! The Lamb of God has indeed taken away the sin of the world. He has taken away your sin and guilt! He has bound up your wounds. He has given you a robe of white. He has shed His blood upon the cross to be the medicine for what ails you. He has given His body upon the Altar to be the joyous banquet upon which we may feast often and long. Our Lord Christ has heard our cries for mercy, and has richly and superabundantly poured out upon us even more than we could ever ask.

And so, whether we lie in the gutter like poor Lazarus or feast at table like the rich man, we can trust in the mercy of God to take away our sins. And when this poor life is ended, we will be borne into our eternal rest, to feast at the heavenly banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the blest. And whether we are rich or poor, we are satisfied.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.