First Sunday After Trinity, 2nd Sunday of Pentecost
“[Abraham] said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (St. Luke 16:31)
In the Name of Christ. Amen. The rich man was convinced that he had a way to save his brothers from the torments of Hell that he was experiencing. All it would take would be for this poor, dead Lazarus to make a post-mortem appearance at the rich man’s father’s house.
There’s nothing like a good old appearance from the dead to change the hearts of callous sinners into faithful believers! Or so this one misguided soul dearly hopes.
But Abraham knows differently. It’s not as simple as that. Even the appearance of One risen from the dead will not be enough to change the heart of the unbeliever. That power is reserved for Moses and the Prophets – for Holy Scripture. It is the Word of God alone that gives faith and life, a gift that can only be given by God the Holy Spirit.
As much as we might like to think that magical appearances of the face of Jesus on a tortilla or of the Virgin Mary on [insert place of the month here!] will cause the unbelieving masses to turn from their wicked ways and become faithful Lutherans, it will not happen.
True repentance for our sin and true faith can only come from one place – from the Word of God. It is the Word of God that points us to Christ, the source of salvation and life everlasting. And it is through Christ’s death and resurrection alone that we are brought to the comfort of eternal life.
Where is the best place to hear Moses and the Prophets – to hear God’s Word? In regular worship with God’s people, not just in a quick half-page devotional. Where else is God’s Word proclaimed in its fullness than in the corporate worship of God’s people? Amen.
“O God, the Strength of all those who put their trust in You, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing, grant us the help of Your grace that in keeping Your commandments we may please You both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.” (Collect for First Sunday after Trinity)Daily Lectionary
Sunday
Proverbs 9:1-12 Acts 8:14-25 Luke 10:25-28, 38-42