Ready, Set, Go…. Into the Word.

Preparing for worship on 2.28.10 – THE HOPE OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

Reading

Matthew 5:10-12

The words “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” appears in two places in the beatitudes of Jesus:  the beginning and the end.  This is not accidental.  He is saying God’s blessing is with those in poverty and in persecution...”theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Isn’t it ironic that Jesus proclaims this counter-intuitive idea:  that in the midst of emptiness and helplessness God is most profoundly with people!  My study for the past four months has revealed that the basic announcement of the beatitudes is that God is on our side especially when we’re lost, broken, mourning, feeling less-than-adequate and hungering and thirsting for more.  He is on our side in the agony of peace-making and suffering because we stood up for what was right.  But more than anything else the beatitudes remind us that our only hope is to trust in Jesus, the One who is making all things new.

It’s in this last beatitude that Jesus finally tells people to do something... and that thing is to Rejoice. Wow. Jesus tells people who are being persecuted because of righteousness to rejoice.  Righteousness always leads to scrutiny and often to persecution, because the way of Jesus is counter-intuitive.  It’s totally at odds with the values and systems of this world.  So true righteousness always gets things going and tells the truth.  Many people don’t like the truth, so there’s trouble for truth-tellers.

But Jesus doesn’t stop at something like that.  The Greek word He uses is “agalliasthe” which literally means to dance, move around with passion, or leap munch.  He’s saying when people persecute you, consider throwing at dance party!  It’s as if Jesus is saying, you have to act in a different sort of way.  If you don’t respond to persecution with gladness it will kill you.  Don’t run.  Don’t fight back.  Rejoice.  Answer violence with love.  Be the kind of people who beat swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.  Love is the only thing that transforms and overcomes evil.  Love always changes everything.  Love either softens or hardens the opposition.  And those who have thrown themselves on Jesus will find the transforming love of God planted inside of them.  They will somehow amazingly be able to dance.  They will be joyful and glad even in the face of great hurt, and their gladness with change everything.

Questions

What do you think when I suggest that righteousness always gets things going?

What are  the things that you do that are so at odds with the systems and values of this world that they might lead to some kind of persecution?

How do you typically respond when someone does you wrong?

Who have you seen answering violence or wrongdoing with love and rejoicing?

Practice

Take some time this week to remember moments when someone has done wrong to you or when you have felt persecuted.  For every memory offer this prayer to God:  “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, for this memory, because  your love has  the power to overcome even this memory.  Give me a heart of celebration so that death will be transformed into life.”

Also remember the followers of Jesus across the world who suffer persecution for righteousness.  As their situation enters your mind, offer this same prayer on their behalf.

Prayer

God, let us not forget:

We are a pilgrim church,

Subject to misunderstanding.

To persecution,

But a church that walks serene

Because it bears the force of love.*

*The Violence of Love by Oscar Romero (Orbis Books, 2004)

My dear friends at Chapel Hill UMC:

Thank you for taking time in your spiritual walk to actually prepare for worship by using these study guides for the past 8 weeks.  I have enjoyed studying, teaching and preaching this series immensely, and hope that my effort somehow has been a help to you by the grace of God.  My prayer is that you will continue to prepare each Sunday as we move closer to Easter,  and beyond… as together we grow in our faith and as you deepen your relationship with this Living God.

~ Jim Gysel

Additional Resources to consider reading during this series:

The Gospel of Matthew, vol. 1, by William Barclay.  1975 The Westminster Press

The Workbook on the Beatitudes, by Maxie Dunham and Kimberly Dunham.  2004 Upper Room Books

The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard.  1997 Harper Collins Publishers