Zion's Voice

Brit Hadashah Reflections   33

Torah portion           Numbers 13 : 1  – 15 : 41

Haftarah portion     Joshua  2 : 1 – 24

Brit Hadashah        John 5 : 1  - 7 : 52

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Yeshua travelled to Jerusalem for one of the festivals. We are not told which one. Commentators are divided in opinion about this but it has no bearing on the events anyway. The pools of Bethesda, in the present day Muslim quarter of the Old City, today many metres below the present paved surface, close to the Church of St. Anne (famous because of its amazing acoustic qualities) is a ‘must see’ for visitors to Jerusalem. The place where Yeshua again provoked the Pharisees to anger, not just because the paralytic man was healed on the Sabbath, but this time because the man was told to ‘take up his bed and walk’!! (carrying the bed was considered ‘work’ by the Rabbinate, therefore forbidden on the Sabbath). Then to compound matters Yeshua openly declared to them that He and the Father were one, a confession which they regarded as treasonable. (Also one which Jews today view with utter contempt. But before we condemn Jews out of hand for this, we should remind ourselves that ‘the Jesus’ with which Jews have been confronted for centuries,  fits perfectly into the mould of a false prophet such as is described in Deuteronomy 13. We know that He is NOT, of course, but that is how the ‘church’ has portrayed Him to Jews!!  One who takes them away from the commandments of Moses.)

The defining statement in this exchange with the Pharisees comes right at the end of John 5. Yeshua told them that Moses had written about Him! He clearly identified Himself there as “the promised prophet like Moses”. Take time to refresh your memory. Read Deuteronomy 18:15-19. And if you have an interest in the judgement of self-proclaimed prophets read to the end of the chapter!

Chapter 6 of our reading finds Yeshua back in the Galilee. A ‘great multitude’ followed Him. John takes the trouble of informing us that Passover was near at hand. I am left wondering about this.  In the normal course, in obedience to the Torah commandment, all Jewish men (including Yeshua and His disciples) would be close to Jerusalem for this festival. As I ponder this I find myself speculating that Yeshua had become such an attraction, and the text provides evidence of this, mainly because people were desperate to know if He really was the longed for Messiah, the “prophet like Moses”, (the ‘strong man’ who in the manner of Moses and the Egyptians, would deliver them from Roman oppresion), and that could have delayed their journey to Jerusalem. We will never know. But what we do know is that Yeshua performed a Messianic miracle before their eyes. He fed them. The multiplication of the five small loaves (and two small fish). Immediately (see John 6:15) the crowd had seen enough. They sought to forcibly take Him and proclaim His kingship. They would have willingly followed Him into battle to defeat the Romans. But that was never part of God’s plan was it?  Yeshua was building a “Temple” not made with hands. And what did the prophet Zechariah say? “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says he Lord of hosts.” (Referring there to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem by Zerubbabel 500 years earlier).

Continuing the theme of the miraculous provision of bread, Yeshua pressed the point with His disciples. They remembered the provision of “manna” in Moses day, but He declared that it was not Moses who provided the bread, but YHWH Elohim. And it is the same YHWH Elohim who multiplied the 5 small loaves. But there was more. As He identified Himself yet again as working under the complete authority and guidance of the Father, He made the first of His seven I AM statements. It is profound. It is the very essence of eternal life in Him. Their forefathers ate “manna’ in the wilderness, but they eventually died. Everyone dies. But Yeshua declared I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. Those who partake of the bread He offers will be saved from the death which follows the White Throne Judgment of the Father. They are ones who will be present at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Read Revelation 20 for a fuller account of this awesome encounter destined for everyone, yes all of us!).

Chapter 7 relates an account of a major feature of the Feast of Tabenacles. The water libation ceremony. A joyous daily ritual when water from the Gihon Spring, channelled into the Pool of Siloam via Hezekiah’s tunnel was carried into the Temple and poured over the Altar. Yeshua likened Himself to that “living water” which would never cease to flow. So much to learn about Hebraic significance in this passage of Scripture. Be blessed as you search it out.  It is worth it.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   32

Torah portion            Numbers 8 : 1  – 12 : 16

Haftarah portion     Zechariah  2 : 14 – 4 : 7

Brit Hadashah          John 2 : 1  - 4 : 54

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Commentators have a wide range of opinion regarding the timing of the wedding at Cana of Galilee! The third day. If it has significance it is lost to most of us. I think it was a Tuesday!! But maybe the wedding festival lasted several days, and by the third day all the wine was gone! In any event, what followed was quite significant because it is the first miracle of Yeshua recorded by John. Upwards of 120 gallons of water turned into best quality wine. That is the recorded fact, but in the story the most significant element of this miracle comes from the mouth of Miriam, Yeshua’s mother. “Whatever He says to you, do it”.

We are only five verses into our ‘reflection’ and we are given the most valuable lesson any of us could ever have. And that from the heart of the person who knew Him best. His mother. The servants at the wedding were obedient to that which Yeshua said, and witnessed an amazing miracle. Who knows what God has in store for those who just take Him at His word?  Just to listen to His Word and do it.   Selah!

There are two accounts in Scripture about Yeshua being angered by the scene He encountered in the Temple in Jerusalem. John tells about the first when Yeshua visited the Temple for Passover early in His ministry. The other gospel writers comment on the second when Yeshua visited the Temple on His final visit to Jerusalem in the year He was crucified. It seems that Yeshua was appalled by the concept of a place of Worship being turned into a commercial enterprise. Perhaps another lesson from this passage of Scripture for those who want to learn.

During that visit to Jerusalem, there were many who believed in Him because of the signs which He did among them. But Yeshua did not commit Himself to them because He discerned that their motive was not right. In essence I think that means that because He is able to discern the heart He could see that there was no change taking place. It was a mental assent rather than a repentant spirit. Another lesson. How often today do we hear a gospel of repentance preached?  It is more often the case that we hear a prosperity gospel “Come to Jesus and all your problems will be solved, financial, emotional, and practical”. So there are those who believe because of what they can see Him doing for them, not because He teaches that those who belong to Him WILL show it in a change of lifestyle. A repentant ‘turning around’.

A high ranking Pharisee called Nicodemus found this out at first hand. “You must be born again” he was told. Then the most famous Scripture in our Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes IN Him should not perish, but have eternal life”. Followed by :- “But he who DOES the truth comes to the light, that his DEEDS may be clearly seen, that they have been done by God”.

Can you see that Yeshua is clearly teaching that when we put our trust in Him, IT SHOWS.? It makes a difference in how we live. The Apostle James stated it even more clearly. “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” James 2 : 18  This is NOT salvation BY works, but works BECAUSE of salvation.

Yeshua had a most fascinating encounter with the Samaritan woman at a well. He asked her to draw Him some water from the well. “If you knew who it was that asked for the water, you would have asked Me to give you water” He said, “because if you drink the water that I give you, you will never thirst again!”. The story is well known and He shocked the woman by telling her things about her private life which illustrated that He was a Prophet. But as the conversation developed, Yeshua said something quite amazing. Most of us have read it many times without absorbing the importance of it. (Especially those of us who are staunch Israel supporters) The day is coming when true worshippers will not worship in Jerusalem, but “will worship Him in Spirit and in truth”.

There is presently NO Temple in Jerusalem. But it was the place of earthly worship designated by God. Ezekiel describes a Temple yet to be built. The “Temple Mount Faithful” are planning to rebuild a Temple in Jerusalem. But Yeshua is prophesying that the Father will not be worshipped there. For your consideration I offer the following. When a new temple is built in Jerusalem, it WILL for worship. However, there is another who will demand worship in that Temple. It will happen at the end of this age. The Bible refers to him as “the Beast”. Antichrist. And there is NO Temple in the New Jerusalem.

Watch and pray.       

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   31

Torah portion           Numbers 4 : 21  – 7 : 89

Haftarah portion     Judges  13 : 2 – 25

Brit Hadashah           John 1 : 1  - 51

 Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

The gospel of John is different to those which precede it in our Bibles. His focus is significantly on the deity of Yeshua, whereas the other gospels report on His humanity.

“In the beginning” he starts off. Right back to the mighty act of creation. The Word which became flesh and dwelt among us was there. Grasp the enormous implication of that. Our well recognized Messiah Yeshua who climbed the hill at Calvary to die on that Roman cross is the same One who spoke light into being. The same One who made the firmament and divided the waters. The same One who spoke blessing and promise to Abram. The same One who spoke to Moses on the mountain. The same One who brought fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice of Elijah on Mount Carmel. And the same One who appeared to Rabbi Sha’ul on the road to Damascus.

Now if that does not stir your heart, it should! The continuity of the whole of Scripture is vested in the person of Yeshua. He is both the author and the purpose and fulfilment of Scripture. Without Him, the Scriptures are just an interesting documentary of the history of one people group. But He is the purpose, and John knew it full well.

It is Yeshua Himself who commanded Moses to tell the people how to live righteously before each other and before Almighty God. Is it any wonder that He said (as recorded in Matthew 5:19) “I did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets” How could He since He was the author?

The Apostle John takes time to acquaint us with the prophetic references to the Messiah. First, John the Baptizer. He was Yeshua’s cousin in the flesh. They would have grown up knowing a lot about each other. John the Apostle tells us that John the Baptizer came to this earth with a special mission, that being to herald and bring attention to Yeshua. But John the Baptizer must have been extremely impressive too, because the Scribes and Pharisees were able to discern something quite different about him. They couldn’t quite work him out. “Who are you?” was the question. Then they had a few guesses. All wrong. But John clearly testified as to the true identity of Yeshua. He had absolutely no doubt. He said “I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” and the very next day as he watched Yeshua walk by “Behold the Lamb of God”. What an insight.

However, those close to John the Baptizer were looking for the coming Messiah and began to follow Yeshau upon John’s confirmation of His identity. “We have found the Messiah” was their triumphant testimony. Soon Yeshua had attracted close followers whom He chose to be His disciples. Friends and family members of each other mostly.

Is there a lesson for us here?

We are blessed to have the Scriptures. John has made it clear that Yeshua is the author, and the substance, the purpose, and the fulfilment of those Scriptures. And we KNOW Him. We have met Him. We trust Him. It challenges me to ask myself what I am doing to introduce my friends and family to Him.

Ah! But you do not know what my friends and family are like! True. But He does. The overwhelming bulk of persons who trust in the saving grace and sacrificial death and resurrection of Yeshua were told about Him by someone else. But generally, that ‘someone else’ was a person who had a life ordered by God. A disciple of Yeshua in fact. And it showed. It is often true that we talk to others more by what we are than by what we say.

So here’s the challenge. When I was a VERY young man I heard a visiting evangelist (to our town in Wales) say “Get on fire for the Lord and the world will come to watch you burn”.

There are many good lessons to be learned from our study of the gospel of John in the coming weeks. For this week, there are two stand-out lessons for me. The first is the recognition of the Creator of the Universe, taking human form, living as we live, but in perfect obedience to the will of the Father. The second is to observe the way in which Yeshua attracted those early disciples to Himself. It was a word of mouth recommendation of those who knew Him.

God will bless you as you talk about your Saviour. He is worthy of our praise and our commendation.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   30

Torah portion           Numbers 1 : 1  – 4 : 20

Haftarah portion     Hosea  2 : 1 – 22

Brit Hadashah           Luke 23 : 1  - 24 : 53

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

For most Christians, our reading this week is the most familiar in all the Scriptures. At the conclusion of the reading last week, Yeshua declared that He is indeed the Son of Almighty God. To the Pharisees, a statement of blasphemy which was ‘the last straw’.  Unceremoniously, Yeshua was taken to the Roman Governor, with false accusations about His ‘treasonous’ acts of subverting the nation and forbidding the people to pay taxes to Rome. Pontius Pilate questioned Him at length and declared that he was unable discover any fault worthy of the death penalty. In fact, no fault at all!! But Pilate discovered that Yeshua was from Galilee. That was under the jurisdiction of Herod, so Yeshua was paraded before Herod, who happened to be in Jerusalem (presumably for the festival of Pesach) and who was pleased to meet Yeshua because of His reputation. But all Herod’s questioning was met with only silence from Yeshua. So He was taken back to Pilate, humiliated but without accusation.

Now this is an important part of the story because it verifies two things. Firstly, that Yeshua was found ‘without fault’ by TWO investigations by the Roman authorities. In addition the Pharisees could only muster ‘false accusations’, so that made three investigations that Yeshua was ‘without blemish’. So the second verification was that Yeshua fulfilled a principal requirement of the condition necessary for the chosen Passover Lamb that was to be slain. Without blemish.

The atrocity, which His crucifixion was, is too horrific to understand. But it happened. By mid-afternoon, Jerusalem experienced a devastating earthquake. Yeshua was dead. The sun was obscured so it became dark. The huge veil which separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. The magnitude of this cruel episode was not lost on the captain of the Roman guard. “Certainly, this was a righteous Man!” he declared. The crowd who had looked on were terrified at the thought of what they had been party to. They could not imagine what might happen next. But that was because they did not understand that this was not the ordinary punishment of a deserving criminal. What they had witnessed was the voluntary act of the Son of God, presenting Himself as the final Passover Lamb ‘without blemish’, paying the penalty of man’s unrighteousness in order that any who trusted in that selfless act (metaphorically painting that shed blood on the doorposts and lintels of their heart) would know peace with God, forgiveness of sin, and be ready to appear righteous and forgiven before Him. “Passed over” when final judgment is declared. What a picture!

Yeshua was placed into the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jerusalem council who dissented from the council decision to seek Yeshua’s crucifixion. It was late in the day, just before the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. A Sabbath. (A lack of understanding of the Hebraic nature of this event has caused the church to confuse this Sabbath with the weekly Sabbath which came two days later). The celebration of this event at Easter can never satisfy the clear teaching of Yeshua that He would be in the grave for three nights and three days!! The resurrection of Yeshua would have taken place immediately at the conclusion of the weekly Sabbath, but was not discovered by the ladies until they visited the tomb very early the next morning.

That same day, the first day of the new week, Yeshua met Cleopas and his friend as they journeyed to Emmaus. They were the first of over 500 people who had an encounter with the risen Messiah. As He walked with the two friends, He spoke with them, beginning with Moses, then through the Prophets and Psalms, expounding to them all things concerning Himself. They would later say “Did not our heart burn within us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

That same experience is available to us today! Ask the Holy Spirit of God to show you, as you read the Scriptures, both the Hebrew and the Apostolic Scriptures, the revelation of the wonder and perfection of God’s plan for mankind. Get excited about the Scriptures and your heart will burn within you as you hunger to know more.

Yeshua then met with the rest of His close disciples. He spoke with them. He ate with them. He encouraged them by opening their understanding of the Scriptures. They became eye witnesses of the resurrected Messiah. That emboldened them to testify to the resurrection of Yeshua, against threat of persecution, nothing could stop them because they had that personal encounter with Him. He had conquered death and hell.  Then He ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father to await the time for His return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   29

Torah portion           Leviticus 25 : 1  – 27 : 34

Haftarah portion     Jeremiah  16 : 19 – 17 : 14

Brit Hadashah           Luke 21 : 1  - 22 : 71

 Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

The Temple in Jerusalem, in the days when Yeshua walked this earth, was a magnificent, dominant, seemingly impregnable feature of the city. It was the very centre of religious life. And like some of our mega-churches today, had also become a centre of commerce, which had drawn the ire of Yeshua as He drove the merchants out of the Temple courts. He had described what was to be “a House of prayer” (Isaiah 56) as “a den of thieves” (Jeremiah 7). Harsh words eh?

Imagine the shock when, as some of them were discussing among themselves the beauty of the place, Yeshua announced to His disciples that a day was coming when “not one stone will be left on another”. Destroyed. Finished. No longer useable. Unthinkable statement. So they asked Him when this would happen. His answer was prophetic then of the physical destruction of the Temple by Titus in 70 C.E. (less than 40 years ahead) and it is prophetic today, because His answer embraces a time when certain events would take place, which many people readily identify as events which are occurring before our very eyes in our day. Days which herald the coming return of Yeshua as King of kings to rule and reign from Jerusalem. “Look at the fig tree” He said. “When that is budding, you know that summer is near.” So it will be when Yeshau returns. You will see the signs, then “watch and pray”. The signs are all around us aren’t they?

The season of Passover was upon them. Yeshua knew that in a few short hours He would be condemned to die on a Roman cross. The Scribes and the Pharisees wanted Him out of the way for sure, and to that extent they were complicit in His death. They brought false accusations against Him, and of course, because they were false, they did not stand up to rigorous scrutiny by the Roman authorities, who openly declared that they could find no fault in Him.

But Yeshua had a few more things to teach His disciples before that appalling crime was committed. As He reclined with His close friends around the table of the Passover Seder He told them that this would be the last time He would share Passover with them in this life. Understanding the form and substance of the Hebraic Passover Seder gives us a clear insight into the sequence of events around that table. And it is vastly different to that which has been taught in our modern churches for centuries.

Passover is an annual remembrance, throughout their generations (i.e. as long as there are Jews on this earth!). The Seder (a Hebrew word which simply means “order” or “arrangement”) has been developed as a ritual remembrance which is used in Jewish families to teach the children (and anyone else present) about the miraculous salvation of the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt about 3,500 years ago. In Leviticus 23, it is described as the first of seven annual “mo’edim” (appointed times) of the Lord. This is what Yeshua and His disciples were about in our readings today. Tradition has it that there are FIVE cups of wine at a Seder meal. Four are drunk, and the fifth (Elijah’s cup) remains untouched until he comes to herald the coming of the Messiah.

The ‘third cup’, often referred to as the ‘cup of redemption’, taken after the meal, is the cup which is recognized by Christians in celebration of ‘communion’. (Note:- From a Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures I conclude that this was always intended by Yeshua to be an ANNUAL remembrance at the Passover Seder. Unleavened  bread representative of His sinless body, and His blood the guarantee of the New Covenant which is to be made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah). Regrettably, the lack of understanding of this Hebraic connection results in loss to the church, because the Lords ‘appointed time’ of Passover has been replaced by the Christianised pagan celebration of Easter.

After that Passover Seder with His disciples, He spoke to them about the betrayal which would shortly take place. He spoke about the testing which they would endure for ‘His name’s sake’. Then He went to a quiet place to pray. It is the place where He suffered great agony as He contemplated the magnitude of that which He was to bear. I do not think that agony was in regard to the physical deprivation He knew was to take place. It was the agony of the knowledge of the ‘chata’ (the sin) that He was to bear in His sinless body. The sin which would separate Him from His Father in Heaven. My sin. Your sin. Selah! If this ‘reflection’ means nothing else, it is worthy of your contemplation of the agony borne by our Saviour Yeshua on our behalf.      

Shabbat Shalom

RS