Future, Love, Paradise

Start the video at 2:25 because for some reason it restarts from there. Thanks.

Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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But if only you could see them
You would know from their faces
There were kings and queens
Followed by princes and princesses
There were future power people
Throwin love to the loveless
Shining a light 'cause they wanted it seen

Well, there were cries of why
Followed by cries of why not
Can I reach out for you
if that feels good to me?

And the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise
No, the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise (paradise, yeah)

Future, Love, Paradise, by Seal, from Seal (1991)

The image of the grand procession is one of the greatest glory in the Kingdom of Heaven. Imagine the Kings and Queens followed by Princes and Princesses, who (and this is so wonderful) shine the light because they wanted it seen.

These good Kings and Queens don't shine the light for their own glory, they shine the light for the benefit of their subjects. They shined the light to throw love to the loveless. What a wonderfully glorious image-love to the loveless. This is what the Lord wants us to do with the light given in Jesus Christ-to share it with others, others in need. God wants us to share love with the loveless.

This call is given for one simple reason, those who face adversity receive blessings in accord with what they faced. The poor in spirit will receive the kingdom. The mourners comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. Those starved for righteousness will be fed--and filled. The merciful will receive mercy. The pure will see God. The peacemakers will be God's children. Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake will receive the kingdom of heaven.

The light shines--because the Lord wants it seen. And when the light is seen, those who have held it in the name of God's righteousness will bask in the glow of God for all to see. They will bask not so that those who oppress and abuse others may be condemned by it, but so that they too may see it, and know to follow.

This is how God's grace spreads throughout creation, one light at a time being shared with someone who needs to see the light.

You Think You're So Smart

Matthew 5:21-22 (NRSV)

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.

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If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinking like a fool, cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
If you think I'll let it go, you're mad
You've got another thing coming
You've got another thing coming

"Another Thing Comin'" by Judas Priest from "Screaming For Vengeance" (1982).

Matthew 5:17-48 is Jesus' commentary on The Law. Jesus makes sure the people know that he does not replace the law. He will say that every "jot and tittle" is still part of the law. Jesus fulfills the Law. He is the Law Incarnate, the Law in Body & Spirit. Since He is the law, he is in a special position to interpret the Law.

What Jesus tells us is that we think we might understand the law, we may have a grip on every "jot and tittle," but we do not know the law. To know Jesus is to know the Law. Now that the Law walks the earth, there is a time to help fix some of those nasty misunderstandings that had reared their ugly heads over the past several centuries.

Starting with murder, we know what murder is--it's killing somebody with malice and forethought. In its own way, using the word "murder" instead of "kill" opens the door to the difference between murder and taking a life in self-defense or in war or by manslaughter. But if that's where the difference between murder and killing ends, you've got another thing coming.

Jesus tells us that slaughtering the reputation of a brother and sister is a form of murder. Even calling someone a fool will bring upon us judgment. This radical reinterpretation of the Law continues and challenges the priests of the day. And it must continue to challenge us today. If we think we understand all the law says to us still today, look out, you've got another thing coming.

Jesus could have very easily said the words sung by Judas Priest: "If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by, you're thinking like a fool, cause it's a case of do or die." Jesus does not sit around. He teaches. And when the time is fulfilled as the Law is fulfilled, He teaches us the ultimate lesson. He doesn't sit around; he climbs to the place of the skulls and dies. Then he does even more. He lives.