God Pause for Saturday, 4 March 2017 of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "Oh, Love, How Deep," verse 1 (ELW 322)

God Pause for Saturday, 4 March 2017 of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "Oh, Love, How Deep," verse 1 (ELW 322)

"Oh, Love, How Deep," verse 1 (ELW 322)
1. Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high,
beyond all thought and fantasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals' sake!
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It is indeed beyond all thought and fantasy, as our hymn suggests, that God through Jesus would not only enter into our world as it is, but also as we are. That God would slip into a mortal form, a human body, vulnerable to the dangers of the world and the violence of humanity. And God did so out of a radical love for both the world and humanity--a love that would surpass the depth, breadth and height of sin, suffering and death.
We know this to be true, of course, through the story of Jesus and where this season of Lent is ultimately leading us. But we also know the reality of sin, suffering and death, for we have experienced them in our own bodies. We have felt their shame and ache. And when we are encompassed by them and lost in their darkness, our knowledge cannot save us. Thank God we don't have to save ourselves. Thank God that our salvation has come through this Jesus.
Loving God, strengthen us in our faith that your love is deeper and broader and higher--that we are never beyond your reach. Amen.
Annie Langseth
M.Div. Student, Luther Seminary
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Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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God Pause for Friday, 3 March 2017 of Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States with Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 

Matthew 4:1

 Then the Spirit led Yeshua up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary. 2 After Yeshua had fasted forty days and nights, he was hungry. 3 The Tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, order these stones to become bread.” 4 But he answered, “The Tanakh says,

‘Man does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai’”[Matthew 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3]

5 Then the Adversary took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the Temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “jump! For the Tanakh says,

‘He will order his angels to be responsible for you. . . .

They will support you with their hands,

so that you will not hurt your feet on the stones.’”[

Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11–12

]

7 Yeshua replied to him, “But it also says, ‘Do not put Adonai your God to the test.’”[

Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16

]

8 Once more, the Adversary took him up to the summit of a very high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their glory, 9 and said to him, “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 “Away with you, Satan!” Yeshua told him, “For the Tanakh says,

‘Worship Adonai your God, and serve only him.’” [

Matthew 4:10 Deuteronomy 6:13–14

]

11 Then the Adversary let him alone, and angels came and took care of him.

[Complete Jewish Bible]

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As an Old Testament professor, I worry a lot about how Scripture is used, and particularly whether we deploy it for good or for harm. In this particular story, it strikes me that Jesus is using Scripture as a shield, and the devil is using Scripture as a weapon. In the face of overwhelming temptation, Jesus turns to the book of Deuteronomy to deflect the devil's taunts. Rather than seeking to harm his enemy, Jesus turns to Scripture to summon his own strength, reminding himself why his victory is inevitable. As you embark on this year's Lenten journey, how might you use Scripture to shield yourself from sin rather than using it as a means to judge or hurt others? What word will you offer in the face of temptation? Jesus' final response to Satan is a helpful place to start. When confronted by anything that tries to command our loyalty over that of God, we can turn, like Jesus, to these words of the law: "You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him."
God of promise, you have given us a great gift in your word. Help us to understand your word and to use it in ways that give honor and glory to your Name. Amen.
Cameron B. R. Howard
Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
4 But he answered, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you,' and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;
9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' "
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. [New Revised Standard Version]

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Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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