The Cost of Discipleship - Week Four: Not Really Getting It

 

It’s (Still)The Season of Pentecost!

We are teaching through a sermon series in September, entitled “The Cost of Discipleship.” This series is based on the writings of Dietrich Bonhoefer, who had this to say about humility: 

“But it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it it to be arranged by God.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Today, we’re going to read a parable of Jesus about a rich man, a poor man, and a lesson learned after death.  

But first, let’s talk about heaven and hell and what Jesus may have thought of each.  

To begin with, images of the afterlife in the Bible are not consistent.  The Old Testament is not entirely clear. It refers to Sheol, the realm of the dead, a shadowy realm where the dead reside.  It could be a place of eternal sleep or rest, but there is no reference to the resurrection, heaven, or hell. 

The New Testament reflects the evolving Jewish perspective on hell, influenced by scholarship from the exilic and post-exilic periods, during which rabbis began to be influenced by Babylonian and Persian views on life after death and resurrection.  

The Pharisees believed in resurrection, but the Sadducees did not.  In Jewish tradition, "Hades" and "Paradise" developed, with hell becoming a place of refinement where you learned lessons in death that prepared you for Paradise.  

What are some of the popular images of Hell?  Why are they problematic? 

Dante is responsible for most of our popular views on hell. The apocalyptic language of Revelation also contributed.  

In the story we are about to read, Jesus appears to favor a vision of the afterlife that emphasizes refinement and restorative justice, aligning with the teachings of the Pharisees.  

Essentially, you remained in a "place of torment" until you learned the lessons you had never learned in life.  

And all of this begs the question: "Is it possible that we create our own hell when we refuse to let go of pride?" 

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP IS LEARNING HUMILITY

Luke 16:19-31

First and foremost, we need to view this for what it is: a story.  

 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.

The rich man (Dives) and Lazarus' lives were polar opposites.  

22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.

The rich man finds himself in Hades, Lazarus in Paradise with Abraham.  The popular belief in the first-century Jewish mindset was that Hades and Paradise were at the center of the earth, divided in some way.  

24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.

The rich man doesn’t seem to grasp the point of why he is where he is.  

26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’

Even in death, the rich man can’t stop giving orders like he owns the place. He doesn't understand the reversal of fortune that has taken place.  

29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Those hearing this parable were given the chance to answer a question: How will I live now?

What Do We Learn Here About Pride?

1. Pride does indeed go before a fall.  

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." - Proverbs 16:18-19

2. If we don’t learn humility, we get taught it.  

We've all had moments when we thought we were right about something or someone, only to discover we weren't.  

3. We have everything we need to know how to live humbly.  

So often, we look for signs to know what God wants of us, but the signs are all around us all the time; we are either unwilling or unable to see them because we wish to control. 

This parable is not meant to terrify us but to awaken us. It reminds us to live generously, to practice compassion, to measure worth by God’s values, and to act on the truth we already know. In Christ, we have everything we need to live faithfully—let’s not wait until it’s too late.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP IS LEARNING HUMILITY