Zion's Voice

Brit Hadashah Reflections   37

Torah portion           Numbers 25 : 10  – 30 : 1

Haftarah portion     Jeremiah  1 : 1 – 2 : 3

Brit Hadashah        John 15 : 1  - 17 : 26

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

One of the best known analogies in the Scriptures. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” (we are the branches of course) Here a knowledge of the Hebraic meaning of this phrase sheds a very different light than that which most Bibles actually say! That it is an agricultural analogy is obvious. It is in the next verse that the Hebraic understanding sheds new light.

Earlier, in John 6:37 we are given Yeshua’s promise that “the one who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out”. Unequivocal. Solid. Precious. But the translators use of “takes away” in relation to branches that do not bear fruit is the issue. The Greek word here is “airo”. It has a different meaning. Strongs Greek lexicon offers “raise, take up, lift” as the correct meaning of the word. Note here that this Scripture is referring to “branches in ME”. (Ones we have been assured will in no wise be cast out!) Now, the audience, His disciples, Jewish men, clearly understood the analogy. A vine branch which creeps along the ground does not bear fruit. The vinedresser, in those days, would carefully place stones under those trailing vine branches to “raise, take up, lift” them so that they would bear fruit. It is the gentle care of the vinedresser to “raise, take up, lift” them which assured the fruit bearing.

Now here is the lesson for us. We are told here that “the branch cannot bear fruit of itself”. So rather than struggle in an attempt to bear fruit in fear of being ‘taken away’, we should “abide in the vine”, allow ourselves to be ‘raised, taken up, lifted’ by the vinedresser so that we may bear the fruit which He desires in us. Then, as we progress in our ‘fruit bearing’ He prunes us so that we may bear more fruit, even much fruit. The question then arises “How do we abide in the vine?” By reading His word, paying close attention to His word, by His counsel in our times of prayer, by His encouragement through wise words of trusted disciples. By seeking Him.

The crunch comes in verse 6 of this reading. “If anyone does NOT abide in Me. He is cast out as a branch and is withered” The Apostle Paul made reference to this in Romans 11. In his analogy of the Olive Tree he referred to branches ‘broken off’ because of unbelief. Make no mistake here. Salvation is the free gift of a loving merciful God, but it is not a ticket to live as you please. It is a call to bear fruit. And those who truly put their trust in Him are not broken off because He “raises, takes up, lifts” them to bear fruit.

The teaching continues. “If you keep My commandments, you WILL abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love”. Why did Yeshua tell them this? “that your joy may be full”. And still many of us are taught today that “Jesus kept all the commandments, so we do not have to!!!” Yeshua did not teach that!

He taught about living fruitful lives to His glory. And Yeshua told His disciples just what was required of them after He leaves them. It is His word. I did not write it, I just ‘reflect’ upon it here. It is clear, but many of us still find very inventive ways to avoid ‘keeping His commandments’ in exactly the same way that the Israelites did and became ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. Finding them was the very reason for Yeshua’s mission on earth.(Matthew 10 and 15)

This passage of Scripture is worthy of our close attention. Speaking to His disciples Yeshua said “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit”. But then He spent time telling them that it was not going to be easy. They were carefully chosen, as you have been. Being chosen by God comes with responsibilities. Remember what the Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth. “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not our own? For you were bought at a price; therefor glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”. And isn’t that a word for today? An age when the very foundations of our faith are being constantly challenged by those in our government and in our schools.    But we are not left alone. Yeshua promised them, and we have seen that promise fulfilled, that when He left them, upon His return to be with His Father, He would send “a Helper”. One whom we identify as the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth. But that Helper is not an enforcer. He is a Comforter. A Guide. One who points the way to Yeshua, our Saviour. Be blessed as you ponder what He is saying to us through this most valuable Scripture passage as we allow ourselves to be ‘raised, taken up, and lifted’ so that we may become abundant fruit bearers in His name.      

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   36

Torah portion           Numbers 22 : 2  – 25 : 9

Haftarah portion     Micah  5 : 6 – 6 : 8

Brit Hadashah        John 13 : 1  - 14 : 31

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Last week we arrived at a point where Yeshua rode into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt triumphant, but for the purpose of being ‘examined’ in many ways and declared “without blemish’ by the Roman authorities. The confirmation of His role and purpose as the Passover Lamb. The other gospel accounts move to the trial, scourging and crucifixion of Yeshua. But the Apostle John is different. Before moving to that point, John enlightens us to a change in Yeshua’s ministry from public proclamation to private teaching of His disciples as He spends His last hours with them. It is rich in content for all who are His disciples today.

Our passage begins with an act of humble service to His followers. He washed their feet. That was not an uncommon practise in those days, but it was normally a service provided by someone of lowly rank in the household of the master. Some Christian denominations continue with this ritual as an act of humility today in addition to the more commonly celebrated ‘communion’ ritual.

The specifics are there for each one to read and to gain from it that which is revealed by the Holy Spirit of God. But the message which Yeshua was teaching was universal. “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me”  Yeshua said to Simon Peter. He says the same to everyone who reads it. He was referring to the spiritual cleansing that needs to happen in order to enjoy fellowship in Him. That fellowship of salvation is ONLY for those who have willingly submitted themselves to the “washing”, the “cleansing” which was wrought by the shedding of His blood for remission of sin.

There are, or there should be, resultant differences in behaviour and attitude in such persons. Yeshua illustrated this in the very act of washing the disciples feet. Humility. Much later, the Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Philippi said “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”  Oowwch!!!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” So what was NEW about this commandment? A very similar commandment was given to Moses on the mountain. Leviticus 19:18 says in part “you shall love your neighbour as yourself”.  But Yeshua adds the words “as I have loved you”. Friends, the difference may seem small, but it is different. The difference in this statement would shortly be obvious to them, even though that ultimate sacrifice made by Yeshua had not yet taken place. But that is not true for us. We have the record, no speculation needed. It is a love which knows no bounds or limitation. As I write this ‘reflection’ I am so very conscious that my journey in faith still has a long way to go.

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” One of the great sadness’s of life is to see how many people have absolutely no regard for God, and yet are convinced that they are “living as good a life as any Christian” (and they are) and will go to heaven. Most of the “Christian” nations of the world are seeing an erosion of Christian morality in their governments. It is easy to mock, and even to ridicule Christian faith. Christianity is being ‘sidelined’. BUT all of that takes no account of this clear teaching of Yeshua. It is unequivocal. It is uncompromising. It is fearful. And it is true.

Then finally, for this ‘reflection’, more words which fly right over the heads of the vast majority of Christians. My Bible (NKJV) says “If you love Me, keep My commandments” It reads as a commandment in itself. It’s a sort of “don’t argue” statement. However, the original Greek manuscripts from which this translation comes says something a little bit different. It says “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” It is something which will be evident in our lives. It’s not optional. Let us remind ourselves here that the same Person who spoke those words, the One who would shortly carry a Roman cross up the hill to Calvary was He who spoke those commandments (instructions for righteous living called  Torah) to Moses on the mountain. He was addressing His Jewish disciples. They knew exactly what He was talking about.

Understanding the Hebraic nature of these writings should give us a better understanding of what discipleship of Yeshau involves.

May we gain Godly wisdom to understand the message contained in these insightful teachings of the Master as He prepared to shed His precious blood that we might receive His salvation.    

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   35

Torah portion           Numbers 18 : 1  – 22 : 1

Haftarah portion     Judges  11 : 1 – 33

Brit Hadashah        John 11 : 1  - 12 : 50

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

A little background here! Yeshua and His disciples were down in the region of Qumran in the Jordan Valley. Probably about 30 Km from Bethany, and uphill all the way! They were there because we learned in John 10 that the Jews had asked Him to tell them plainly whether or not He was their Messiah. (they were looking for the strong man who would deliver them from the Roman occupation and the oppression that came with it). His answer infuriated them.  “I and My Father are One”. He was saying “Yes I am your Messiah and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is My Father. It is He who has sent Me. I am in Him, and He is in Me”. (They had earlier asked for a sign, and in Matthew 12 and 16 He gave them the sign of the Prophet Jonah) At that they took up stones to kill Him because His answer was received as blasphemous. So He fled with His disciples from Jerusalem to the Jordan Valley.

Our reading today opens with news that His friend Lazarus had died, and by the time Yeshua got there Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. He was as dead as dead could be! The sisters, Martha and Miriam were grief stricken at the loss of their brother. And Yeshua wept with them! Then, reinforcing His identity as the Son of Almighty God before those present (the very thing that had caused Him to flee from Jerusalem some days earlier) He called the very dead Lazarus to come out of the tomb. It is a well-known event, which resulted in many of those present joining the ranks of believers. But the sceptics (there are always sceptics aren’t there?) went and told the Pharisees. What they had seen was beyond dispute, but the religious leaders saw it as yet another challenge to their own authority. Incredible. So what did they do? They conspired, not only to do away with Yeshua, but to get rid of Lazarus too!

John chapter 12 gives the clue to the timeline of events during the last week Yeshua spent on this earth. By my calculation it starts on the sixth day of the week (a Friday by our calendar). On Sunday (universally known as Palm Sunday in our calendar) Yeshua rode in triumph on a donkey’s colt down the hill to the garden of Gethsemane. Spending the next four days being ‘examined’ by various authorities and found to be ‘without blemish’ (the prime qualification required of the Passover Lamb). Crucified on Wednesday afternoon, in the grave for the three full nights and three full days, and resurrected after sundown on the sixth day of the week (at the very commencement of Sunday, which is Saturday night in our calendar). Now it is not a ‘hanging offence’ to disagree with my timeline, but it is the only one which I find consistent with Yeshua’s sign, given to the Pharisees, which He called the ‘sign of the Prophet Jonah’. If that ‘sign’ were not fulfilled (which a Good Friday crucifixion does not) then the Pharisees would have another reason to reject Him as the Son of God, and His disciples would have had as much difficulty explaining it as we do today!

But in our passage, Yeshua fulfils the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 by riding on a donkey’s colt. Perhaps a bit of a disappointment to the crowds of people who cried out the words of Psalm 118 “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” as they welcomed their long awaited Messiah whom they expected would rid them of Roman oppression.

It is our great privilege to know that His mission was much greater than eliminating Roman oppression. And in less than two months, many thousands of them would know it too. But Yeshua had to teach them the unthinkable. He was there to be put to death.

“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified” “.. a grain of wheat which falls into the ground and dies, produces much fruit” “.. for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name”.  “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to myself” “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become ‘sons of light’”. “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness”.

Our reading opened with Yeshua declaring that “I and My Father are One” It got Him into big strife with the religious leaders in the community. We end our ‘reflection’ re-iterating the truth of that confession. Reminding ourselves that what began there as an act of human injustice, has become, in our lifetime, the beacon of hope for our world. In fact the ONLY hope. We put our trust in Him who died, or we remain in darkness.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   34

Torah portion           Numbers 16 : 1  – 18 : 32

Haftarah portion     Isaiah  66 : 1 – 24

Brit Hadashah             John 8 : 1  - 10 : 42

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Yeshua was teaching a crowd of people in the Temple early one morning when the Scribes and Pharisees brought a sinful woman to Him. They announced that she had broken the Law of Moses by adultery. They said that Moses Law clearly specified the punishment but “what do You think we should do?”  Here was an opportunity to trap Him into giving an answer which would condemn Him whichever course He took.

To confirm the punishment contained in the Torah would provide them an opportunity to charge Him with teaching against the laws of the land, Roman Law. To affirm Roman Law would provide opportunity for them to charge Him with not upholding Torah. Condemned either way. But Yeshua stooped to the ground and wrote something in the dust. What was it that He wrote there? Whatever it was had a silencing effect on all who stood with rocks in their hands. There are a number of speculative opinions available about what was written in the dust that day. Yeshua had just the previous day in the Temple, at the time of the Water Libation ceremony, declaring that it spoke of Himself as providing “living water” to all who would ask Him. So did He write Jeremiah 17:13 in the dust?  A sharp reminder to these religious men that they had themselves forsaken the very God they professed to worship. Did He write Hosea 4:14 there, reminding them of the overt responsibility of men in adultery? Did He write specific sins of the accusers, which they previously thought were secret? Whatever was written in the dust ‘convicted their conscience’. What would Yeshua have written in the dust that would have made me put down my rock and slink off in shame? That stuff that I think is a watertight secret? Then to know that He knows. Things for which I have never sought His forgiveness. Take a moment to put things right with Him. Then put down your rock!! Yeshua forgave the woman, told her ‘sin no more’ and sent her to get on with her life. Anyone of us can experience that loving forgiveness, but it requires an encounter with Him who alone has the power to forgive our sin.

Immediately following this incident in our text Yeshua announced the next I AM (the second of seven in John’s gospel). I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. The context, in the Temple, where the area was lit by the Golden Menora, kept alight by the careful continuous attention of the Priests. It was a focal point of gathering of the people. People who were familiar with the Scriptures. They knew that King David had written in Psalm 119 that the Torah was a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 118:105). And here was Yeshua declaring that He is the “light of the world”. He is telling them that He is the ‘living Torah of God’. The Temple Menorah, important to them as it was, became a symbol of the light that His teaching brought to them. As symbolic as the Water Libation ceremony was to His provision of a continuous stream of living water from which they would never again experience thirst. As symbolic as the Bread of life represented by His own presence among them.

It would be much later, after His death on a Roman Cross, that they would come to appreciate the import of His “I AM” words. But what followed was a profound conversation about their status as “sons of Abraham”. It is a conversation that involves everyone who reads this ‘refection’!! At its heart is the question “Who, exactly, is a ‘son of Abraham?’” Because to be a ‘son of Abraham’ is to follow the actions of Abraham. To do what Abraham did.  That they were physical descendants of Abraham is not in question. But Abraham believed God, and that was counted to him as righteousness. The Pharisees did NOT believe that Yeshua was of the Father. They even accused Him of being demon possessed. Yeshua told them bluntly that they were NOT ‘sons of Abraham’ spiritually because they rejected Him. He went further. Because they were not ‘sons of Abraham’ they were ‘sons of the devil’.

Now we dare not mince words here because this is an exceptionally important lesson. Yeshua is saying clearly that there are TWO families on this earth. One is the family of Abraham and the other is the family of the devil. No-one can belong to both families. God’s family is the family of Abraham. Those in that family LOVE the things of God. His word. His teaching. His associates as fellow family members. The DOERS of His word. And anyone NOT in Abraham’s family belongs to the other family. Yeshua tells us here that this other family includes many members who are quite religious, but who do not accept the Son of the Father and His teachings. It is a salutary warning to those who may be regular church attendees, but are still not in the family of Abraham.

Take time to ask the Lord to show you how you can be sure that you are indeed a member of the family of Abraham.   

Shabbat Shalom

RS