The Way Of Grace Is Different

Jesus also teaches us here that our attitude toward doing for others, and our attitude toward our own humility, is important too. How many times have you seen a group of high school kids doing what is supposedly a “free” car wash? Their signs say “free,” but once they wash your car, you see that they are asking for a “donation”? Now don’t get me wrong…there is nothing at all wrong with a high school group doing fundraising, but it’s a good illustration of what Jesus was speaking against in his second parable here — doing something good for someone with the expectation of getting something good in return. You see, because The way of Grace is different — Jesus encourages us to do good for those who cannot repay, whether it’s feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, or helping the handicapped. And for some, this is not easy. I mean, we live in a society that says, “what’s in it for me?” Society says, “time is money.” Society says, “watch out for number one…” But friends, once again, God’s Grace is what makes the difference (pause) in our hearts. Because that’s exactly the way God’s love works, isn’t it? Think of all the things He has given you, continues to give you, and will give not only to you, but to everyone on the earth. Physically we have sun and rain and food and shelter and clothing and countless things besides; spiritually we have the forgiveness of sins, we have life—eternal life and salvation in Jesus Christ, we have the Word of God, and the Sacraments which we are about to receive. Think about this: Has the Lord given us any of those things expecting to be repaid? Of course not — and that again is God’s Grace at work. Believers have God’s love at work in their lives, and I probably don’t have to tell you how to show it, because the opportunities to do so fill your life and are unique to each one of you. Maybe it’s writing a check to charity. Perhaps it’s finally actually responding to that homeless guy on the corner your near work. Maybe it’s offering a job to single parent without references. You know — and if you pray about it, God will open up more and more opportunities to be just like Him, in giving to those who can’t give back to you.

And here’s the best part of God’s amazing Grace: (pause) you will get something back. Jesus says here that we will be blessed for the love we show and give to others. We “will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Our reward and our treasure is in heaven, which of course means that we won’t always see our rewards in the here and now when we do things for others. But that’s OK because we can still be confident that they’re infinitely greater than anything we could gain here on earth. You see friends, when we give without worrying about being repaid, we can’t foresee the rewards of our kindnesses. But Jesus guarantees that they will be repaid in countless blessings at the resurrection of the righteous — at the end of the world, when He comes to take his faithful people home with him to heaven. Because that is where Grace carries us…to heaven. And heaven is where we belong. So even though we’re strangers and aliens in this world, we still live here, but we live here as citizens of heaven. We know our true worth. We know our true home. We know our place and our purpose because of the fact that we are saved by Grace through Christ. And so we live with humility toward ourselves and with love for others. Because we live by what we have been saved by: the Grace of God in Jesus Christ. My friends, the way of Grace is different. (pause) And so are we. Amen. Let’ pray…

Now may the true faith …