This blog is adapted from a message delivered on Sept 28, 2025
I think I’ll come clean right up front with you… for months now, in my prayers and quiet times, this story has kept showing up. You know how that happens? You’re not looking for it, but there it is again. So I’d go to Luke 16, read it, pray, and ask God, “What am I supposed to take from this? What am I to do with this?”
And every time, I’d walk away with… discomfort. A kind of unsettled feeling. Not sure what the takeaway was supposed to be. So I’d check the box: “Okay, Lord, I looked it up, I read it, but I’m not finding the clarity I want—so that’s on you. You’ll show me when you’re ready.”
But then, the next time, the story would show up again. And again, I’d come away restless. “Alright, God, just give me a roadmap. Give me the shortest route, like Siri or Waze. Make it convenient, make it efficient. Just spell it out.”
And then about a month ago, when I sat down to prepare this very message, I opened the lectionary. Jeremiah, Amos—hard-hitting but doable. Couple Psalms—always promising. Timothy—Paul always liked Timothy. But then I got distracted, walked away from the screen.
When I came back… what were my eyes drawn to? Yes. The gospel reading. Today’s gospel reading: Luke 16. The story of the rich man and Lazarus.
I thought: “Say it ain’t so.”
Clearly, some guidance. At least for me. And I hope, maybe for you too.
Our Desire for a Boss
If you’re like me, you’ve prayed something like this before: “God, show me what to do. I’ll do whatever you want—just be clear!”
What it seems, at times, we want Jesus as our benevolent boss. Our cosmic answer man. Ideally He covers the big stuff, keeps us comfortable, handles the problems, and smites the bad guys.
And too… sometimes clear and simple guidance and the encouragement to do the right thing. Just tell me what to do, Lord, and if it’s too difficult or inconvenient, maybe you could just handle it?
And Jesus responds, “Nah. You’ve got this. Love your neighbor. Carry a cross. Serve the least of these.”
And we say, “Uh… thanks. But is there an easier option?
The Rich Man and Lazarus
And that’s where this story comes in.
The rich man, dressed in purple, feasting every day. Lazarus, poor and sick, lying at his gate, covered in sores. Dogs licking his wounds.
The rich man is living the dream—maximum comfort, zero responsibility. And Lazarus is literally right there. The rich man doesn’t even have to travel to find someone to love. But he ignores him.
Then comes the great reversal. Both men die… Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s side—eternal comfort. The rich man ends up in torment. And suddenly he’s the beggar.
Our Human Hope?
Now here’s the kicker. We hear that story and think: “Okay, Jesus, spell out the rules. Give me the checklist so I don’t end up like that guy.”
We look to Jesus to be our director, our boss, again. “What’s the minimum requirement? What if I say yes and then don’t like it? Just tell me what to do, and I’ll sign up.”
But Jesus isn’t handing out rules. He’s showing us reality: if we live only for ourselves, we’ll end up empty. If we sacrifice for others, we’ll know God. I think that’s important for us in this story. The negative outcomes of this story is a clear message that if we’re seeking God, and feel like we’re lost, simply look around your life and find the Lazarus that needs to be cared for. Easier said than done sometimes.
Because as Jesus reminds us … God’s kingdom is in our midst, and their story asks that we pay attention to the needs in our orbit. Not someone else’s path or gate or driveway but someone nearby.
Cross vs. Comfort
The rich man chose comfort—the purple robe, the feasts, the “someone else will deal with Lazarus.” It left him empty.
Lazarus carried the cross—the suffering, the humiliation—and he found God’s comfort.
And Jesus is saying: you need not wait any longer.. The gate is here. Lazarus is here. The kingdom is here.
Some reflection..
So, over the years, I’ve tried in various ways to respond when I see needs… and at times I’ve just flat out missed them.
In brief, I’ve tried to be aware of “Lazarus in my driveway”, or along my path and have tried in different ways to respond… I haven’t always been responsive and I pray that as Ive gotten older I’ve become more attentive.
I’ve realized too that the amount of input we receive can sometimes overwhelm us leading us to worry about things outside our control in lieu of taking care of the situation right in front of us. It’s a human challenge we need to prayerfully pay attention to.
There was the time years ago at McDonalds when a man approached me to ask for money to buy soup across the street.. and I said I’ll buy you something to eat here to which he first walked away and then returned to say a filet o fish might be okay… to this day I wonder did I give my brother a rock when he asked for soup?
Then there was the time in Chicago, my son who was 10 at the time and I were walking to get back for a train to the burbs when we passed a number of people asking for money – my son was and is to this day willing to share his own money, time, heart with others – which was and is a great example to me. That day, as we walked, I knew I only had a 20 left in my wallet, so I secretly hoped we might not see another person in need but alas, steps away from union station, my sons attention to Lazarus opened my heart and wallet too.
I’m not suggesting this, paying attention to Lazarus, is easy to do and with all the communications we receive and the often dubious information, it is sometimes tough to know who to respond to and how to respond. What is clear is that we are all called to pay attention and respond compassionately as Jesus would.
Jesus the Servant
Rather than wondering, let me invite you into a quiet time of prayerful reflection today where each of us can ask for guidance from our Loving God.
Loving God as you’ve demonstrated through Jesus, washing feet, eating with outcasts, dying on a cross, loving each of us. Show us today how we might “lose our life for your sake so we might find truth and love – show us the way Lord, show us your way.”
(Silence)
Anything come to you in prayer, you’d be willing to share?
God’s Love Everywhere
Now, here’s the good news! God’s love is for both Lazarus and the rich man.
Jesus tells this story not to gloat over the rich man’s fate, but to wake him up. To say: “look around See Lazarus”. You will find God’s love in him. Don’t delay and don’t get distracted.”
That’s the part we often miss. We want God to be the decider of rewards and punishments. But God isn’t running an empire. God is love. Love in our midst. And love points us to sacrifice for one another.
So Jesus is saying: you want to know God? Sit with Lazarus. Share your bread. Wash feet. Carry the cross. That’s where Christ dwells.
Closing Comments
So maybe it comes down to this…
We want comfort and clarity.
God offers crosses and resurrection.
We want Jesus the benevolent boss and hero.
Jesus insists on being our servant, as a model for us to serve others.
We want the throne.
He gives us a foot towel.
We want the answers.
He gives us each other.
In the end, the way to know God’s comfort and presence is to notice the Lazarus at our gate, accept the cross we are to carry, and let the love we know keep pouring out, day by day.
[Pause.]
Join me in prayer…
Loving God…surround us with your love, help us be your instruments of healing and peace in this world. Help us to be attentive to the Lazarus of our life and help us to respond to those needs so that all of us might experience your love more and more. Guide us today and each day as you teach us to pray. In Jesus name, Amen.
Soul Journeys 