Lutheran Seminary – Moved by the Promise – God Pause - Friday, 31 January 2013 – Mattityahu 5

Lutheran Seminary – Moved by the Promise – God Pause - Friday, 31 January 2013 – Mattityahu 5:1 When Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach saw the multitudes, he ALAH HAHAR (went up the mountain, SHEMOT 19:3) and when he sat down, his talmidim came to him.

2 Then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach began to speak, and gave them this torah (teaching), saying,

3 Ashrey ANIYEI HARUACH (Blessed, Happy are the poor in spirit, YESHAYAH 66:2) for theirs is the Malchut HaShomayim.

4 Ashrey are the AVELIM (the ones mourning, YESHAYAH 61:2), for they will be comforted.

5 Ashrey are the ANAVIM (humble, YESHAYAH 29:19; ZEFANYAH 2:3), for YIRESHU ARETZ (they will inherit the land, TEHILLIM 37:11).

6 Ashrey are the ones hungering and thirsting for Tzidkat Hashem (Tzedek Olamim, Everlasting Righteousness, DANIEL 9:24), for they will be satisfied.

7 Ashrey are the merciful, for they will be shown rachamim (mercy).

8 Ashrey are those of LEV TAHOR (pure heart, TEHILLIM 51:12 [10]), for they will see Hashem.

9 Ashrey are the peacemakers, for they will be called bnei haElohim (sons of G-d).

10 Ashrey are the ones being persecuted because of Tzidkat Hashem (righteousness, DANIEL 9:24), for theirs is the Malchut HaShomayim.

11 Ashrey are you when they reproach you and persecute you and speak all kinds of lashon horah against you, speaking sheker (falsehood, lies) because of me [Moshiach].

12 Have simcha (joy) and lev sameach (glad heart), for your sachar (reward) is great in Shomayim, for thus they persecuted the Neviim before you.—Orthodox Jewish Bible

The beatitudes spoken in Matthew 5:1-10 provide a series of blessings that are general and widely applicable. But in 5:11, Jesus gets more personal. He speaks directly to his disciples in each generation. "Blessed are YOU when people revile you and persecute you and utter against you falsely on my account." Commenting on this verse, Frederick Beuchner says: "Jesus saved for last the ones who side with heaven even when any fool can see it's the losing side and all you get for your pains is pain."

Those who side with the cross know that God's kingdom is not about wealth and power and super success. They know that the way of the cross is self-sacrifice and compassion and tireless service. The cross is foolishness to many, but to those who believe it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). That's why Jesus can say that persecution and pain can be a reason for rejoicing. New life is born of death.

But there is also a danger in this. We need to be careful not to victimize people by telling them that the abuse and persecution they may be suffering is a holy opportunity to receive God's blessing. Rather, when we see innocent victims being persecuted and abused and slandered, we are called to side with those who are suffering. It is the way of Jesus and the way of blessing.

Grant us the courage, Jesus, to speak up for those who are persecuted, abused, and slandered. And when we experience personal pain and loss, send us advocates to bless us even as we suffer and mourn. For all the blessings we receive from your gracious hand, we give thanks. Amen.

Scott Tunseth

General Editor, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, Minn.

Master of Divinity , 1983

Matthew 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.—New Revised Standard Version

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Lutheran Seminary – Moved by the Promise – God Pause - Friday, 1 February 2014 – "All Are Welcome" ELW 641

Marty Haugen's wonderful hymn text paints images that are fully aligned with the biblical texts we have been reading this week. The church is not a wood or stone building but a people with outstretched arms and hands that reach out to heal, to serve, to comfort and strengthen those who are hurting, hungering, and mourning. God's people not only hear the Word but "live" it. In the house that God builds it is the outcast and stranger that "bear the image of God's face." In the house that God desires, the welcome of God's people comforts all who enter so that fear and danger can be addressed with compassion and mutual consolation.

Can our places be welcoming to all? Can our lives embrace a Word that is so other-centered? In God's justice and under Jesus' cross, all are welcome. All?

The text for today's hymn cannot be published due to copyright limitations. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Holy and merciful God, you promise your kingdom to the lost and lowly. May we be instruments of this promise for all. Make our welcome wide, so that the world may see in us your Son, Jesus, who died that all be know your loving embrace. Amen.

Scott Tunseth

General Editor, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, Minn.

Master of Divinity , 1983

“All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen

Let us build a house

where love can dwell

And all can safely live,

A place where

saints and children tell

How hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,

Rock of faith and vault of grace;

Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;

Let us build a house where prophets speak,

And words are strong and true,

Where all God's children dare to seek

To dream God's reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness

And a symbol of God's grace;

Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

Let us build a house where love is found

In water, wine and wheat:

A banquet hall on holy ground,

Where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,

Is revealed in time and space;

As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

All are welcome in this place.

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