Empathy and Action: Living the Gospel's Call

Devotional

Day 1: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: A Call to Compassion

Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus challenges us to see and respond to the suffering at our gates, reminding us that God’s kingdom values mercy over comfort and calls us to advocate for those left out by society. The story is not just about the afterlife, but about how we live now—whether we notice the needs around us or walk past them, whether we let our hearts be moved by empathy or harden ourselves in the name of order and tradition. The chasm between the rich man and Lazarus is not just a future reality but a present warning: God’s grace is for all, and we are invited to participate in that grace by loving our neighbors, especially those whom the world overlooks. [17:47]

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Reflection: Who is the “Lazarus” at your gate today—someone you tend to overlook or avoid? What is one concrete way you can show them compassion this week?

Day 2: God’s Mercy and Forgiveness: Embracing Grace for Ourselves and Others

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful; in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are welcomed as those who were lost and have been found. This assurance is not just a comfort but a foundation for how we live and relate to others, freeing us from shame and empowering us to extend the same mercy we have received. We come to God not because we have earned it, but because God’s love is steadfast and God’s grace is abundant, inviting us to return again and again for renewal and transformation. [07:13]

1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV)
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to receive God’s mercy today? How might accepting God’s forgiveness change the way you treat others?

Day 3: The Transforming Power of Empathy

Empathy is not weakness but the heart of Christ’s way, calling us to step into another’s shoes and let our hearts be broken for what breaks God’s heart. In a world that often dismisses empathy as impractical or even dangerous, Jesus invites us to see the world through the eyes of the suffering and to let that perspective shape our actions. Practicing empathy may be uncomfortable and costly, but it is the path to true discipleship and the way God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. [20:49]

Romans 12:15-16 (ESV)
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you dismissed or ignored someone’s pain. How can you intentionally practice empathy toward that person or group this week?

Day 4: The Table of Grace: Receiving and Extending God’s Welcome

At the Lord’s table, we come with empty hands, confessing our unworthiness, and yet we are met with unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance. This meal is not just a ritual but a living reminder that God’s grace is for all, and that we are called to be a community where no one is left out—especially those whom society excludes. As we receive Christ’s body and blood, we are re-formed and sent out to be agents of reconciliation and welcome in the world. [25:16]

Matthew 26:26-28 (ESV)
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

Reflection: As you remember Christ’s welcome at the table, who in your life or community needs to experience that same welcome from you? What step can you take to extend it?

Day 5: Living Out Our Calling: Sharing, Serving, and Listening Together

The Christian life is not a passive experience but an active calling to share our gifts, serve those in need, and listen deeply to what God is doing in our neighbors. We are invited to move beyond comfort and tradition, to risk honest conversation, and to discern together whom God is calling us to help in this season. As we gather, confess, and are sent out, we are reminded that the peace of Christ is not just for us but for the world, and that our offering includes not only our resources but our very selves. [39:34]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Reflection: Who is God placing on your heart to serve or support in this season? What is one practical way you can bear their burden this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering centered on the challenging parable of the rich man and Lazarus, inviting us to wrestle with the heart of Jesus’ teaching: will we take his words to heart, or let them pass us by? The story presses us to consider who we say Jesus is—not just with our lips, but with our lives. We are reminded that the gospel is not a passive inheritance, but a living call to be transformed and to participate in God’s work of mercy and justice in the world. Our worship, our prayers, and our confession are not rituals for their own sake, but ways to be re-centered in God’s grace and sent out to make a difference.

The parable exposes the chasm that can exist between comfort and compassion, between hearing God’s word and living it. Jesus’ challenge to the religious leaders—and to us—is not to wait for some new revelation, but to respond to the truth already given: to love our neighbor, to advocate for the marginalized, and to let empathy shape our actions, even when it is costly or uncomfortable. In a world that often dismisses empathy as weakness, we are called to see it as the very heart of Christ’s way.

We are reminded that the Christian walk is not about earning God’s favor, but about being re-formed by grace. Each time we come to the table, we confess our unworthiness and receive the assurance that we are loved, forgiven, and accepted. This grace is not just for our comfort, but to empower us to stand with those who are left out, to challenge traditions that exclude, and to embody the radical hospitality of Christ.

Our community is invited to move beyond passive worship, to share not only our offerings but our stories, our struggles, and our sense of calling. In honest conversation, we discover the depth of wisdom and compassion among us, and we discern together who we are called to serve. Amidst the noise of countless voices vying for our attention, we are urged to stay grounded in the cross, to let the resurrection be enough, and to let Christ’s love be our foundation and our guide.

Key Takeaways

1. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is not just a warning about wealth or comfort, but a call to recognize the chasms we allow to form between ourselves and those in need. True discipleship means refusing to ignore the suffering at our gates, and instead, letting our hearts be moved to action by the presence of Christ in the marginalized. [17:47]
2. Empathy is not a weakness, but a reflection of God’s own heart. In a culture that often prizes order and self-preservation over compassion, following Jesus means risking discomfort and even criticism to stand with those who are overlooked or dismissed. The walk of faith is costly, but it is the path to true life. [20:49]
3. Grace is both a gift and a call to transformation. We come to God not because we have earned a place at the table, but because we are invited in our brokenness. This grace reforms us, reminding us that we are loved and forgiven, and sending us out to extend that same mercy to others, especially when it challenges our comfort or traditions. [25:16]
4. The Christian life is not passive; it requires honest self-examination and communal discernment. By sharing our stories, struggles, and hopes, we draw out the depth of wisdom and calling within our community. This vulnerability is essential for discovering who we are called to serve and for embodying the gospel in tangible ways. [47:28]
5. Amidst the relentless noise of the world, we are called to stay grounded in the essentials: the cross, the resurrection, and the command to love our neighbor as ourselves. The world may call this foolishness, but it is the foundation of our hope and the source of our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. Let us resist the temptation to sideline Jesus’ teaching, and instead, let it shape every aspect of our lives. [29:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:35] - Gathering and Introduction
[04:57] - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Setting the Stage
[06:35] - Confession and Forgiveness
[07:13] - Opening Hymn and Prayer
[17:47] - Gospel Reading: The Rich Man and Lazarus
[18:58] - The Challenge of Belief and Repentance
[20:49] - Empathy and the Cost of Discipleship
[24:34] - Wrestling with the Call to Love
[25:16] - Grace, Communion, and Being Re-formed
[26:06] - Physical Therapy Story: Growth Through Challenge
[27:15] - Advocacy, Tradition, and Radical Inclusion
[28:05] - Confession as Foundation
[29:18] - Staying Grounded Amidst the Noise
[31:22] - Lutheran Distinctiveness and the Core of Christ
[39:34] - Offering, Community Conversation, and Calling
[44:57] - Reflections on Community Depth
[47:28] - Drawing Out Wisdom and Mission
[49:21] - Passing the Peace and Communion
[51:18] - Words of Institution and Lord’s Prayer
[54:30] - Communion Distribution and Blessing
[58:25] - Announcements and Sending
[65:56] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 16:19–31 (ESV) — > “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Observation Questions

In the parable, what physical and social differences are described between the rich man and Lazarus?
What is the “chasm” mentioned in the story, and what does it prevent?
According to Abraham in the parable, what resources or warnings did the rich man’s family already have?
The sermon described worship, prayer, and confession as more than rituals. What purpose did the pastor say these practices serve for us? ([04:57])

Interpretation Questions

The parable highlights a “chasm” between comfort and compassion. What does this chasm represent in our lives and communities?
The rich man asks for a miraculous sign for his family, but Abraham says they already have “Moses and the Prophets.” What does this suggest about our responsibility to respond to God’s word?
The sermon said, “Empathy is not a weakness, but a reflection of God’s own heart.” Why do you think empathy is sometimes dismissed or even criticized in our culture? ([20:49])
The pastor emphasized that grace is not just for our comfort, but to empower us to stand with those who are left out. How does this understanding of grace challenge traditional views of faith and belonging? ([25:16])

Application Questions

The parable warns against ignoring the suffering “at our gates.” Who are the people in your daily life or community that you might be overlooking? What would it look like to notice and respond to their needs this week? ([17:47])
The sermon challenged us not to wait for a new revelation, but to act on the truth we already know. Is there a teaching of Jesus you’ve been putting off living out? What’s holding you back? ([18:58])
The pastor shared a story about someone calling empathy “weakness.” Have you ever felt pressure to choose order or comfort over compassion? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? ([20:49])
Grace was described as both a gift and a call to transformation. When you come to God in your brokenness, how does it change the way you see others who are struggling or left out? ([25:16])
The sermon invited us to move beyond passive worship and share our stories, struggles, and sense of calling. Is there a struggle or story you feel called to share with this group, or someone you feel called to serve? ([47:28])
Amidst the “relentless noise” of the world, the pastor urged us to stay grounded in the essentials: the cross, the resurrection, and loving our neighbor. What is one practical way you can keep Christ’s love at the center of your week, especially when you feel distracted or overwhelmed? ([29:18])
The Christian walk is costly and sometimes uncomfortable. Is there a specific way you sense God calling you to risk discomfort for the sake of mercy or justice? What support do you need from this group to take that step? ([20:49])

Sermon Clips

this gets to the thing that Jesus is dealing with where this isn't just about me getting saved from death this eternal life thing isn't just about a get out of hell free card it's about living the walk and the walk is costly the walk says that God's way is to not leave people who we would societally you or culturally, or in our own comfort, you know, sort of walk past and not deal with. [00:23:51]

So each one of us live in this world where we have to face the difficulties of really not even wanting to love that person. I've got to be honest. I hear this text just like anybody else, and I'm like, I don't know if I can do that. And you've heard me say, too, that that's why we come here, because in our prayers, as we pray the prayer that Jesus teaches us how to pray, we say those crazy words, Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, come make your reality our reality. [00:24:25]

And so we come here because we hear the word, we are reminded of the gift of this grace that each one of us clings to, like Lazarus. But also we come for reform. That's the other piece of being a Lutheran and what we're about. We come to hear the words and go, oh, yeah, right. And we fall sort of, maybe not back in line, but back in, back in the groove, back in the thing that keeps us going. And the way we do that is we are informed by the table. [00:25:00]

We come here and we put our hand out and we say, Lord, I am not worthy of this. But the Lord says, yeah, you are. I love you. And you're forgiven. And you're totally accepted. And to have somebody on your side in this day and age is awesome. [00:25:34]

This therapist is kicking my butt. It hurts. But she's like, okay. And she says to me the other day, she says, all right, tell me about your lateral movement. And I said, I don't think I have any lateral movement anymore. My defense is down. And she looked at me and she goes, well, you're gonna. That's what this text is. This text is that push into the game that says you're going to be okay. You're not going to get it right. You are going to have judgments. You are going to be selfish. You are going to worry about all of the things that we worry about that are listed in the psalm today. [00:26:06]

It's not about rich and poor. It is a little bit about that. I think disparity is definitely something that's in this text that we are called to be about. Where are people getting picked on and need an advocate? Where is the church in that place standing up for them? That's part of being a reconciling in Christ congregation, right? We say that we will stand up for folks who aren't in the middle of the road in terms of society. We will make sure and say, no, no, no, no, no. Don't leave them out. [00:27:05]

Don't leave them out even when it hurts some of our sensitivities and our ways of being that are traditional. Jesus is always dealing with the tradition or the religion versus the application of grace that is obviously going to make people uncomfortable who came to be comfortable. [00:27:40]

And so each one of us has to face that question in that little song I wrote. Are we going to make Jesus take a back seat or not? Are we going to put Jesus in the back seat or are we going to listen to these incredibly hard texts? We've been going through Luke and it doesn't leave anybody behind. That's why we started our work this morning, our worship this morning with confession. Because we don't come here saying, I earned it. We come here saying, Lord, have mercy. [00:28:00]

And the word is that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead. And we should listen to him. We might want to take his words over all the other trillion dollar ad campaigns that are coming for you every single day. [00:28:56]

We are surrounded by information that wants to take us in directions. and so Jesus is saying stay grounded and stay grounded in the basics loving your neighbor as yourself is the ethic not because it's easy and not because we choose it but because when we can think about someone else I'll tell you another story I can tell you a story about being a kid and I remember picking on another kid and my dad said something to me I'll never forget I was I was being a bully and there was really no ramifications I was bigger than him and it was fine I was you know I was getting by with it and dad said something to me and it broke me he said how do you think that kid thinks about himself when he lays at bed at night after what you've done to him or said to him I never thought of that [00:29:51]

so I did put him it or put myself in his shoes for a minute and it changed me as a kid I think it changes each one of us and so that's the practice that's not only the practice of coming here to receive the confession and the turn and the forgiveness and the eternal life that comes from the table but also to be corrected oh man I never thought about that me I made my heart break in a new way for that person that I might be able to walk in their shoes and think from their perspective [00:30:49]

again blessings in the walk on this stuff Jesus gives us this powerful parable again today and reminds us he's not picking on anybody he's just saying who are you listening to does it need to be more special than the resurrection does it need to be better than the cross I think we know the answer to that and I think we started our worship today by naming that the cross is our foundation that the cross is good news and that the world calls that foolish the world maybe slams their hand on the ground on the bar and says no do not love your neighbor as yourself that is anti -economic theory so put Jesus on the cross it's also what makes us different it's also what gives us the reason to host it also gives us the reason to talk to you at home this week [00:31:22]

the arrogance that the church has had of saying this is where God is has blown out the back door I think we should think about that and invite people to watch what we're doing here or be part of what we're doing here I got a new podcast hitting this week and the podcast is scandalous it's very Lutheran it says Bible versus Scripture where we get the scissors I saw you all sit up it gets into why we are who we are and how we got here and how different Lutheran theology is from so much else that's being preached right now may we reconnect with that may we have not only pride in it but use of it to stand in the middle [00:32:41]

Luther was always caught in the middle of the thing the Catholics they got to go this way and then as soon as the reformation happened and started all of a sudden everybody wanted to throw everything out get rid of all the sacraments get rid of all the prayers Lutheran kind of stood in the middle of that tension going no there's good here there's good there but the core is Christ. And when Christ moves into our hearts and opens us up in ways we never otherwise would be, that's the miracle. Blessings to us in that work and in that walk. [00:33:30]

As a Lutheran pastor, it has always been one of the challenges I think that comes out of the generations that we've been at, which is worship is often a very passive experience. We come and we come and we come and we come and it's sort of like the professor in the front kind of thing and I think there's so much depth of soul in our people. How do you pull that, how do you pull that, how do we pull that, how do we pull that? Developing honesty and integrity in conversation, being okay with things being messy, right? This is what, this is, this is what it means. [00:47:28]

For those of you who are at home, one of the things that you can't necessarily tell because the way we do our worship is so straightforward. Usually there's a person in the front, the congregation stands and sings. And sometimes I don't think we have the processes to pull out the wisdom, grace, and calling that comes from you and comes from your hearts. So, thank you. [00:48:28]

Thank you for your grace and your participation and your ears in hearing what your neighbors are, what God is doing in your neighbor, I guess, is a piece. [00:49:07]

Go in peace. Do not lose heart. Thanks. Thanks be to God. [01:04:15]

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