Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life, ELW 719 & LBW 429
Where cross the crowded ways of life,
where sound the cries of race and clan,
above the noise of selfish strife,
we hear your voice, O Son of Man.
In haunts of wretchedness and need,
on shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
from paths where hide the lures of greed,
we catch the vision of your tears.
From tender childhood’s helplessness,
from human grief and burdened toil,
from famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,
your heart has never known recoil.
The cup of water giv’n for you
still holds freshness of your grace;
yet long these multitudes to view
the strong compassion in your face.
O Master, from the mountainside
make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
among these restless throngs abide;
oh, tread the city’s streets again.
Till all the world shall learn your love
and follow where your feet have trod,
till glorious from your heav’n above
shall come the city of our God.
Devotion
The Mount of Beatitudes, where some think Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount, is a place of awe-inspiring beauty. The site of a gracious chapel, the hill gently gives way to the sea. The hills of Jordan climb steeply in the east. After a rare autumn shower, the sun emerges from behind clouds and paints the landscape in vivid blues, greens and golds.
Jesus, the "master from the mountainside," was no doubt tempted to remain in this idyllic place, away from the abode of the “restless throngs” (v. 5). But he did not. His place was among humanity's "wretchedness and need," calming fears, thwarting greed, wiping tears (v. 2).
So too, it is our mission as his followers to teach the world of his love (v. 6), doing acts of word and deed, to bring God's city among us.
Prayer
God of creation, may we find refreshment in the beauty you have created, in order that we may continue to participate in your Son’s work. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.