Zion's Voice

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

Brit Hadashah Reflections   28

Torah portion           Leviticus 21 : 1  – 24 : 23

Haftarah portion     Ezekiel  44 : 15 – 31

Brit Hadashah           Luke 18 : 1  - 20 : 47

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

It never ceases to amaze me how God speaks directly into ones situation through His word. Our reading this week opens with an encouragement to ‘pray and not lose heart”. We know that God is not deaf! He hears our prayer, and yet we are encouraged to ‘pray, and keep on praying’. The unjust judge in the parable dealt with the widow’s plea so that she would not keep bothering him. God is different. He loves our communication with Him as we pray, and has no difficulty with us who ‘pray and keep on praying’ about the same matter over and over again. The most important point is to recognize that God, unlike us, sees the whole picture. He sees the end from the beginning, and has our best interests at His heart ….  even when we do not understand the process.

The parables flow as Yeshua continues to teach the people the essence of Torah living. Caring for one another in love. Being child-like in our faith, trusting the words and actions of a loving Father. The blind man on the road to Jericho had heard of the miraculous healings which had been witnessed as Yeshua travelled around the country. Suddenly a large crowd of people came along the road. What was happening? Yeshua of Nazareth was passing through Jericho. The blind man cried out, not once, but many times, louder and louder making himself heard above the noise of the vast crowd. “Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He would not be silenced. He asked, and kept on asking. Then those wonderful words coming from the very heart of God. “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight, and followed Yeshua, glorifying God.

The story of Zacchaeus is a bit different. Everyone who has ever attended Sunday School knows the story. He was a ‘chief tax collector; and he was rich” my Bible tells me. We need to understand the Hebraic context of this encounter to fully appreciate the enormity of the hateful feelings of the ‘man in the street’ for a person such as Zacchaeus. He was a servant of the Roman authorities. He collected taxes on their behalf, and added plenty for himself in the process. He would have been considered a traitor. Because of his short stature he climbed a tree to get a good look at Yeshua as He passed by. Then ‘shock, horror!’, Yeshua, addressing him by name, invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ home. It changed Zacchaeus’ life. He remembered the obligations of Torah on those who believe! Exodus 22 speaks about restoration of property stolen from others, and Zacchaeus had done plenty of that. So he made the correct restitution, and for that Yeshua declared “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;” What does that mean? Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness. He did the right thing! Then forever more, those who become ‘sons of Abraham’ through their faith, have righteousness credited to them. They receive salvation. But take careful note here. That faith was exhibited in their actions. It is infinitely more than verbal assent to something we believe. It is faith which results in righteous action. What we do, not what we say.

The story of Zacchaeus is immediately followed by the parable about stewardship. This emphasizes the role expected of those entrusted with “Sonship”. The slothful servant lost what he had been given because he had not ‘borne fruit’ for the kingdom. There is clearly the expectation that as His earthly stewards, the believers should be doing works which bring reward and harvest. It is not doing works in order to be saved. It is doing works because we have already received His salvation.

Yeshua then entered Jerusalem, riding on the colt of a donkey. The last week of His earthly sojourn. The Pharisees were enraged as His disciples shouted and cheered “Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord!”  But Yeshua wept over the city. Such hypocrisy and disregard for the ‘instructions for righteous living’ which was given by Moses. Speaking words which sound religious, but acting, that is DOING that which showed that they were far from the heart of God.

Dear friend reading this ‘reflection’. What would Yeshua say if He were to visit our church services today. Would He be delighted to see how much money is collected in the offering bag? And what happens to that money? Would He be pleased to see the way we care for the poor and needy in our community? Would He look us in the eye and say “Well done good and faithful servant?” Our reading today has provided us with a glimpse into the very ‘heart of God’. His intent in sending Yeshua was to ‘seek and to save that which was lost’. To find those who are counted as “sons of Abraham”. Be blessed as you seek the Lord, asking Him to reveal truth from His word, which He has promised ‘will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which it was sent’.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   27

Torah portion           Leviticus 16 : 1  – 20 : 27

Haftarah portion     Amos 9 : 7 – 15

Brit Hadashah           Luke 16 : 1  - 17 : 37

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

The teaching parables continue. Firstly the parable of the ‘unjust steward’. Having been charged with deceit, he compounded that in his attempt to ingratiate himself with the owner’s debtors, and at the owner’s expense. The owner commended him for his shrewdness!! But that was not all good. The owner explained that his shrewdness had only served to make friendships with equally devious men. In so doing he had abandoned the security which was available to him had he dealt justly with the owner. The lesson was obvious to the disciples who heard it. The unjust steward had forsaken God (the owner) with His promise of eternal life, for the present transient offerings of men. A poor exchange. “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men (his shrewdness) is an abomination in the sight of God”.

Yeshua says that up to John the Baptizer, people were encouraged to ‘draw near’ to God with gifts and offerings according to the Torah of Moses. Now, the message is that the “kingdom of God” is with us. Time is short. Act whilst you can. So Yeshua followed that up by telling another parable about the rich man and Lazarus, the poor beggar. What is portrayed is a distressing account of that which awaits those who die not having faith in Him who died for us. We read in Hebrews 9:27 that “it is appointed unto man once to die, and after death, the judgment”. It is a solemn warning. Nothing has changed since the day it was first spoken. In this parable, when the rich man asked that the poor beggar be sent to warn his five brothers where they were heading, the blunt message of Yeshua was “They have Moses and the Prophets, they must listen to them”. As the rich man argued that his brothers would only listen if someone returned from the dead to warn them, Yeshua re-affirmed the status of Moses and the Prophets as His emissaries.

How sad that today, in many of our churches, Moses and the Prophets have been consigned to antiquity! Irrelevant. Of no consequence. Did Yeshua know something that the rest of us do not? It is incumbent on each of us to discover that truth for ourselves. It is that important.

The Pharisees were likened to ‘obstacles’ to faith in Yeshua. In life, these obstacles will continue to appear and in all sorts of guises. Regrettably, even within some modern church denominations there are obstacles to truth. Yeshua’s message is clear. At the end, it would be better for those who create those obstacles to have a millstone put around their neck and be cast into the sea. Because the alternative is as described in the parable of the rich man and the beggar.

Please note the language of Yeshua. There is no attempt to “guild the lily”. To make it easy. To provide an alternative. He tells it like it is. There is no ‘grey’. There is ‘black’ and there is ‘white’. Make a choice.

Later, as Yeshua was journeying between Samaria and Galilee, He was passing a village and met with ten men who were ‘lepers’. The law required that they be separated from the main populace, hence they called to Him from a distance. Yeshua told them to “Go and show yourselves to the priest” (As described in Leviticus 14) As they did so they were all miraculously healed. But only one returned to give thanks to the Healer, and he was a Samaritan, a foreigner to Israel. I am reminded of times when prayer meetings are called to intercede before God for some community or National need or disaster. It is rare for such a meeting to be called to give thanks, and to praise God for Who He is.

Finally, an interesting observation about the Haftarah portion this week, Amos 9 : 7 – 15. When David ben Gurion declared Israel an independent Nation again on Friday May 14 1948, the Torah readings for the Shabbat which began at sunset that very day included Amos 9 :10-11.

“All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, who say ‘the calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’

On that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old”

The modern State of Israel was born. And history records that on that very day, the Arab world declared what has become known as the ‘war of independence’ for Israel. It lasted 10 months. Israel prevailed, with the miraculous help, deliverance, and grace of Almighty God, and was forged in the process into a strong independent nation. Israel’s population of about 7 million, comprises just under half of the world’s Jewish people.

What a might God we serve.          

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   26

Torah portion           Leviticus 12 : 1  – 15 : 33

Haftarah portion     2 Kings 7 : 3 – 20

Brit Hadashah         Luke 13 : 1  - 15 : 32

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

We need to know a little of the history to appreciate the opening verse of our reading today. Acts 5: 37 provides the clue. There were dissident followers of Judas Gaulonitus of Galilee who opposed the payment of taxes to Caesar. They travelled to Jerusalem for one of the pilgrimage festivals, making their gifts to the Temple. Pilate treacherously sent a company of soldiers, who murdered them so “mingling their blood” with their sacrifices. Yeshua posed the question to the multitude “Do you think they were any worse sinners than other Galileans?” Then He told them that “unless you repent you will all likewise perish”. This was not a threat. It was a clear statement of fact for ALL who do not repent of sin and turn to Yeshua for salvation. It is a message for today, as it was for those who heard the words at first hand.

Then He spoke a parable of the fig tree. The interpretation is clear. The fig tree was given time to ‘bear fruit’. Those who hear the gospel are given time to consider and respond, to ‘bear fruit’. But that time is not limitless. It has a finite end. That was Yeshua’s message in the parable.

He then launched into another rebuke of the Pharisees in the synagogue because they objected to His healing of a crippled lady on the Sabbath. The dear lady ‘glorified God’, the Pharisees criticized Him. But they were shamed at their attitude as the multitude of ordinary people rejoiced at His actions and words. Then Yeshua taught them about the ‘kingdom of God’. How from little things, big things grow. The mustard seed, so small and yet grows big enough to have birds nesting in its foliage. Like leaven, wherein such a small amount, over time, leavens of large mixture of dough. The lesson for us is to remain faithful to what we have learned of Him, because even though we may not be aware of it, many others of our acquaintance notice how we behave, what we say, how we live our lives. The problem is that they see everything. So there is a downside if we are not projecting the love we claim to have received when we came to faith. Yeshua said, in Matthew’s gospel “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”. So there is a message and a challenge for us right here. It is how the Kingdom of God increases in the earth. In another place we who are disciples of Yeshua are described as ‘salt’. But later in our reading Yeshua says “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land or for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear let him hear!”

At this point in His ministry, Yeshua had turned to the use of many parables in order to bring His message. The man who gave a great supper for his friends, who all made excuses for not attending. So the host instructed his servants to go to the poor, the disadvantaged and any other who would accept the invitation. A picture of His rejection by His own, and the blessing which has been made available to non-Jews. But He then warned the multitude that to follow Him would be costly. It involves a complete change in lifestyle, habits and even friendships. How often do we hear that message preached in our affluent churches today?

The parable of the lost sheep, only one out of one hundred, but the Shepherd does not rest until that one lost sheep is safely in the sheepfold. In fact, He carries the wayward sheep on His shoulders to the place of safety. It speaks of the boundless love of Messiah Yeshua for those who are His. The parable of the wayward son who squandered his inheritance on selfish pursuits. The jealousy of the older brother. A parable often taught as the relationship between the Jew (the older brother) and the pagan who comes to the Father. It speaks of the warmth of welcome awaiting ALL (represented by the wayward son) who come in repentance to seek the safety of the Father’s home.

So again this week, we find Yeshua in conflict with the religious people, more intent with their legalistic observances than they are with the compassion exhibited in all of Yeshua’s actions. Is there a parallel here? Our church attendance is often perceived to be more important than living the life of faith in our neighbourhood. It is within the church where these principles of righteous living are taught. Or should be. Most of us were introduced to Yeshua in a church environment, but the life of faith is illustrated to our fellow ‘travellers’ in life, out in the community. It is not what we say, it is what we DO that counts,    

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   25

Torah portion           Leviticus 9 : 1  – 11 : 47

Haftarah portion     2 Samuel 6 : 1 – 7 : 17

Brit Hadashah         Luke 10 : 1  - 12 : 59

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

The reading today opens with the appointment of seventy disciples who were given the task of visiting towns and villages in the land where Yeshua Himself planned to go later. Sounds like a pretty easy task, but then came the conditions. “You go just as you are! No money, no food, no change of clothes, no extra shoes, no prior accommodation bookings, and don’t dilly dally on the way!” Then just to make it more interesting “You will be going as lambs among wolves!”

The message was that having shown faith enough to be entrusted with the assignment, it was now time to put that faith into action. Yeshua was saying “Trust Me”. He also gifted them with the power to heal the sick in places where their message was willingly received. They were expressly told not to seek accommodation, but rather to accept hospitality where it was willingly offered. Those were to be told that “The Kingdom of God has come near you”. Where they encountered rejection, the message was blunt. ‘The Kingdom of God has come near you, but it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for your city” Wow!

Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum formed the corner point of a triangle in Northern Galilee. Within this triangle Yeshua performed many miracles. They had seen the Messiah of God with their own eyes, and yet many had wilfully rejected His deity. In my research for this ‘reflection’ I discovered an organization called  “Associates for Biblical Research”. Some of their notes in advertising a proposed study trip to Israel included the following, which I print without edit.

“Many people personally witnessed his divine power, authenticating his claims to deity and the office of Messiah. They willingly and purposefully chose to reject him and remained unrepentant. Note the serious nature of the sin: it would be worse for these three cities than it was for Tyre, Sidon and Sodom. Space limitations do not allow for a discussion of these previous judgments in detail, but one thing should be noted: God himself visits Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum and is summarily rejected. The depth of the sins at Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were quite egregious…the sin in the triangle was even worse.

The modern church often tends to focus primarily on the pleasant and appealing parts of God's character: grace, mercy, peace, love, etc. While these aspects of God's character are attractive, it is improper for the church to focus solely on these characteristics. To ignore the holiness, wrath and judgment of God is to ignore the entirety of his being. A balanced view of God as presented in the Scriptures and understood in the context of orthodoxy should lead the church to appreciate the love and grace of God even more. Sin is a serious matter. It is an offense against a just and righteous God who reigns supreme in perfection.

Let us all take a great lesson from the residents of the triangle: embrace the full character of God so we can appreciate his love, mercy and grace in a much more profound way. Only understanding the bad news about sin and God's authority to judge us can we better grasp the good news of the Gospel.”

The observations above, relating to the church, are equally applicable to the individual. We should all take heed to these warnings of Yeshua to the cities ‘in the triangle’. In chapter 11 of our reading, there is another “woe” directed at the religious Pharisees. “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness”. Harsh criticism indeed, but striking at the very heart of the matter. It is easy to be deflected from our own pious shortcomings by focussing on the legalistic Pharisees who practised the ‘traditions of men’.  But a moment or two of reflection about ourselves might reveal that the charge has a much wider application.

This is highlighted again as we read chapter 12. The challenge of the Scripture is unmistakeable. Look at the words directed to His disciples in the first instance. “Beware of the leaven (sin) of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops”.

I pray that as you read this Scripture passage this week, the Lord will speak into your heart, as He has mine, the things that need to be learned that we all, who love Him, may be good witnesses in the places to which we are sent .. daily.        

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   24

Torah portion           Leviticus 6 : 1  – 8 : 36

Haftarah portion     Malachi 3 : 4 – 24

Brit Hadashah           Luke 8 : 1  - 9 : 62

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

“What does this parable mean?”.  The disciples asked.

Yeshua’s answer is quite remarkable. Even though it was the disciples who posed the question, His answer was “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, …” He then quoted from Isaiah 6. “Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”

This conversation took place very early in Yeshua’s teaching ministry. The disciples still had much to learn. But this exchange is picked up by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11 wherein he describes the ‘partial blindness’ of the Jews. Now we may extrapolate and apply the words of Yeshua to those of us who count ourselves to be His disciples today. It is given to us to ‘know the mysteries of God’. How? Primarily by the careful reading and study of His written word and the revelation of that word by the Holy Spirit. Did you know that king David tells us that “God has magnified His word above all His name” (Psalm 138:2)? There is no excuse for any who can read to be ignorant of what the Scriptures say. Paul told Timothy that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for all good work”. (2 Timothy 3:16)

I want to suggest to you (understanding the Hebraic patterns of our text today) that an evangelist, preaching to an unsaved people group uses ‘parables’. Examples, anecdotes, stories, testimonies etc. in his proclamation of the gospel. But a teacher (and we should all be self teachers) seeking to ‘feed his flock’ uses exposition of the very word of God.

Following that, Yeshua, still accompanied by a multitude of people seemed unable to even have a brief conversation with His own earthly family. So, He and His disciples got into a boat to cross the Lake from West to East (the country of the Gadarenes) for some respite from the crowds. Immediately, they encountered a tormented man, plagued by demons, who instantly recognized Yeshua as the Son of God. Do you find it interesting that whereas the local population, certainly those with religious credentials, failed to recognize Him, those of the spirit realm, not only recognized Him but were scared stiff at the sound of His voice? Well that’s the fact. The rest of the story is well known, and the herd of pigs, complete with demon accompaniment, drowned in the Lake. Now, when the poor man was freed from his torment, and in his right mind, he naturally wanted to stay in the company of his Healer. But Yeshua instructed him to return back to his own and testify of the great healing work which had taken place in his life. Which he did. He was a gentile. In many other situations, where Yeshua healed Jews, He forbade them from testifying. Why? Well I think that for the Jews, His time was not yet. He seemed intent, given that His mission was to the “lost sheep of the House of Israel”, for the revelation of His identity as Messiah to come from inner conviction rather than external influence.

A little later, at Banias, He pointedly asked His disciples who people thought He was. They proffered a few names, but then He put the direct question to them. “But who do YOU say that I am?” Bear in mind that at this point they had been travelling with Him for some time and were eye-witnesses to many miraculous happenings. Peter boldy stated “You are the Messiah of God”. Correct answer. But Luke tells us that Yeshua then “strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no-one”. Of course, three years later they could not stop themselves could they?

Now we need to dwell on the question Yeshua put to His disciples for a moment. It is a question that everyone has to answer. If you doubt that turn to Revelation 20. It will take you 5 minutes to read, and lifetime to acknowledge. The question is inescapable. Your answer will change your life … for ever.

One final ‘reflection’ on this passage of Scripture. Yeshua was on His way to Jerusalem, I assume for one of the festivals. Their journey took them via Samaria (where much earlier their own worship centres had been established as alternatives to Jerusalem). Some of the Samaritans refused to help them. The indignant disciples urged Yeshua to let them call down fire from heaven to consume them. Yeshua’s responded with a sobering rebuke. Read it in Luke 9:55,56.      

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   23

Torah portion           Leviticus 1 : 1  – 5 : 26

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 43 : 21 – 44 : 23

Brit Hadashah           Luke 5 : 1  - 7 : 50

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Last week our reading ended with Yeshua healing ALL the sick people who came to Him in the region of Galilee. Many people were also released from the grip of demons (all of whom recognized Yeshua as “the  Messiah, the Son of God”) But Yeshua told the people that it was necessary for Him to visit other cities and regions of Israel in order to fulfil His mission on earth. (which He said was to seek out the ‘lost sheep of the House of Israel’).

It was at this time that Yeshua began to call men to follow Him. We know them as “disciples” (Heb, ‘talmidim’). It is quite noteworthy that He did not seek out the ‘religious’ people as His close associates, but, in the first instance uneducated fishermen. Peter, James and John. Men who became ‘giants of the faith’. Men whose words are recorded and taught today throughout the whole world, because of their faith. How amazing is that? On the face of it, by human standards, they had nothing to offer, but God looks at the heart of a man. What He saw was pure treasure. Men of faith … and faithful men. What does He see when He looks into my heart? And yours? Good question eh! Show us Your ways O Lord.

In Chapter 6 we find Yeshua having another dispute with the religious Pharisees about what they thought was acceptable Sabbath activity and what was not. My Bible says that after that encounter the Pharisees were “Filled with rage, and plotted what to do to Yeshua”.  Then Yeshua went out to the mountain to pray. He continued all night praying to His Father. What an example. Yeshua, about to make a momentous decision, (in the event a decision which actually affects our lives to this very day), spent all night in prayer. I don’t actually time my periods of intercession and prayer, but at a guess I think between 2 and 20 minutes probably covers the whole spectrum!

The decision He made was to choose, from all His disciples, probably hundreds of them, just twelve. And those He called Apostles. (Heb. “shaliach” sent ones. Those with complete authority of the sender) The Apostles were gifted with the substantial power of healing and casting out demons on the authority of the One who ‘sent them’. Those who endow themselves with such a title today should be very sure that it is not a mere hierarchical role, but one which carries the full meaning of an original “Shaliach”. It is not insignificant that Yeshua then spent the next three years in close company with these men, teaching them, correcting them, encouraging them and trusting them.

That can only really be appreciated when we have an understanding of the Hebraic thought in that ministry. It is a DOING function, not a badge of rank. Yeshua taught many things, perhaps one of the clearest lessons was in a parable immediately after His famous ‘sermon on the mount’. He said “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”  Then “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”  Let us clearly understand His words. Take a moment to ponder what they mean. What did they mean then? What do they mean today?

Our reading this week ends with a most emotion charged account of a meal Yeshua took at the invitation of one of the Pharisees. A woman with a ‘sinful past’ (just like the rest of us) gate- crashed the event, but not before she had purchased a very costly jar of fragrant oil. She stood close to Yeshua, crying, penitent, humbled, expectant and unashamed to be there. She washed Yeshua’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and massaged them with the expensive fragrant oil. The atmosphere must have been ‘electric’. The host who had issued Yesua the invitation was taken aback. Surely Yeshua must know what sort of background this woman had! How could He allow this woman to touch Him?

Discerning those thoughts, Yeshua told the parable of the two debtors. One was forgiven much debt, the other less. Then He asked his host which of the two would be most grateful. The answer was obvious. With that He turned to the penitent woman. “Your sins are forgiven you, your faith has brought you salvation, go in peace”.

The lesson for us is clear. Yeshua speaks to us through these Scriptures. He poses the same questions. He discerns our hearts and our minds. He reaches out in love and forgiveness to all who repent and turn to Him, as did the woman in the story. His words to us are identical to His words to her. Read them again. Then give Him thanks and praise for His unspeakable gift of salvation.      

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   22

Torah portion           Exodus 35 : 1  – 40 : 38

Haftarah portion     Ezekiel 45 : 16 – 46 : 18

Brit Hadashah           Luke 3 : 1  - 4 : 44

 Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Since our last reading, the text jumps a period of approximately 18 years. Luke is quite precise about the date. John the Baptizer, cousin of Yeshua, in response to the calling of Almighty God, began his powerful repentance ministry. He was absolutely fearless in his proclamation of the sin of the people of his day. In particular it was their neglect of the commands of Torah (which was a consistent theme of the ministry of Yeshua later), which included the care of the poor and disadvantaged, which caused his apparent anger at the situation.

Luke makes very clear that this message was in direct fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 52. I note that Isaiah said “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God”. That is an interesting prophecy. I think it has at least two possible interpretations. It is undoubtedly true that all will SEE the salvation of God, but I do not think that ALL will experience that salvation.

“Brood of Vipers” doesn’t seem to be a charitable phrase to use to people who come to be baptized does it? And yet, both Matthew and Luke record these words used by both John the Baptizer and Yeshua. Evidently, there was a discernment that these people were playing some kind of lip service, in a manner of ‘keeping up appearances’, when they presented themselves for baptism. Luke records the reaction of a small selection of those people. As we look at these groups of people, just see if you can recognize any who still might well be alive today!

“What shall we do then?” was the common question put to John. “If you have more than you need, and see someone without, share what you have” was the first response. The Tax gatherers were enriching themselves at the expense of the community. (brings visions of our politicians to my mind). “Collect what is necessary and no more” was John’s response. (He might have said ‘be careful with other people’s money’). Then to the soldiers who were harassing people and taking money to ‘go easy’ on them. “Don’t intimidate people and make false accusations. Be satisfied with your wages as they are”.

In each of these cases, John the Baptizer might have said “Live righteously, be honourable, and don’t take advantage of others”. It sounds easy, but today we could list dozens of examples where in our everyday lives we can recognize those who could be “spotted” for similar conduct. So the message of John is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. Just ponder that for a moment. Because John hadn’t finished. He proceeded to warn them, that the One coming after him would be even more thorough. “He is the One with a winnowing fan in His hand, and He will THOROUGHLY clean out the threshing floor, take the “wheat” into His barn, and the ‘chaff’ He will burn with unquenchable fire”.  Read Hebrews 10:31. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. And if any is unsure what that means, just read the verses of Scripture which precede it. John’s reward for his preaching was that he ended up in prison!

Salvation is NOT by works, but the way we choose to live our lives is a pretty good indicator of genuine repentance of past sin.

Our text then moves to the baptism of Yeshua, followed by a genealogy of His earthly ancestry. Chapter 4 begins with His wilderness sojourn during which He endured a quite appealing time of testing by Satan. It was ‘appealing’ because what He was offered was a shortcut to ‘glory’ which did not involve dying on a Roman cross. Dear friends, EVERYONE who repents of sin and turns to Yeshua is tested by Satan, and very often the temptation he offers us can appear quite appealing!  So we should take very careful note of the way Yeshua dealt with those tests. On each occasion, Yeshua directly, and accurately, quoted from the Scriptures. Learn from this how important it is for us to both read and study the Scriptures in order to equip ourselves for the challenging temptations which come our way. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Says the writer to the Hebrews.

We conclude our ‘reflection’ today with Yeshua back in His adopted ‘home’ of Capernaum. There He encountered a man, in the synagogue, who “had a spirit of an unclean demon”. The demon quickly recognized Yeshua as “the Holy One of God”. And he was terrified of Yeshua. A lesson for us here. Demon spirits (and they do exist) have little fear of you and me, but at the Name of Yeshua of Nazareth, they will run a ‘proverbial’ mile. In His Name, he gave power to His disciples to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. To receive that power dear friends requires repentance of sin and a close walk with the One of whom those spirits are terrified. His Name is Yeshua. (Salvation)         

Shabbat  Shalom

RS 

Brit Hadashah Reflections   21

Torah portion           Exodus 30 : 11  – 34 : 35

Haftarah portion     Ezekiel 36 : 16 – 38

Brit Hadashah           Luke 1 : 1  - 2 : 52

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

We begin our ‘reflections’ in the Gospel of Luke this week. It would be interesting to discover when this account was penned. Scholars have put this, together with “The Acts of the Apostles” (as a kind of two part series) as late as 80 – 90 C.E. I have a problem with that date in that two major events took place before that time, and neither is mentioned by Luke. Firstly, the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. by Titus of Rome, and secondly, the death of his friend Paul. (Who also does not mention that destructive event, because he is believed to be have been condemned to death by decapitation by the Emperor Nero soon after the great fire of Rome in about 66 C.E.)

However, regardless of the date, both Luke and Acts, are dedicated to a person called Theophilus, of whom very little is known. But one suggestion which came to some prominence about 500 years ago is that he might well have been a righteous and influential Priest operating in the Temple in Jerusalem. Remembering that almost 30% of the Apostolic Scriptures is contained in these writings to Theophilus. And with the small exception of one passage in Matthew’s gospel, ALL the emphasis on “Alms and Almsgiving” is contained in these books. By the time they were written, the general Temple Priesthood had been corrupted, not the least because the High Priesthood was no longer hereditary, but because it had great wealth potential was sold to the highest bidder. Hence “Alms and Almsgiving” for the poor was an extremely low priority. But not for Luke!

Then right up front, Luke gives us the account of the appearance of an angel, Gabriel by name, to a righteous Priest called Zacharias. It is also possible that Luke’s detailed knowledge of these events may well have been because of a close friendship between these two upright and righteous Priests, Zacharias and Theophilus (but that is pure conjecture on my part).

Understanding the Hebraic nature of the gospels delivers one of the most interesting deductions which may be made out of this angelic appearance to Zacharias in regards to its timing. Based on the reasonable assumption that Elizabeth became pregnant with John the Baptizer very soon after Zacharias’ week of duty in the Temple was completed, it is easily deduced that our Master, Yeshua, would have been born at about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles the following year. Probably early September by our modern calendar. The clues to this (do your own research) are in Luke 1:5, 1 Chronicles 24:3 and 10, Luke 1:23 and 24, Luke 1:26. (Hint! Priestly service in the Temple was for one week at a time, by divisions, commencing at Passover.)

We are also told in chapter 2, regarding the birth of Yeshua in Bethlehem (Hebrew ‘Beit Lechem’ meaning House of Bread!)  that there was ‘no room at the inn’. If you have deduced from the last paragraph, as I have, that Yeshua was indeed born at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the three ‘pilgrimage’ festivals when all males were required to attend Jerusalem for that eight day celebration, you will readily understand why there was no lodging available because of the vast crowds of visitors. (Bethlehem is a mere 5 miles from Jerusalem) Messianic believers would also know that it was, and STILL IS, the commandment of God to build “booths” called ‘Succahs’ as a temporary shelter during this festival as a reminder of the Israelites wilderness journey. Many conclude that the temporary dwelling of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem was, in fact, in one of those “booths”.

All of the above indicates the importance of a Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures to appreciate the message. Chapter 2 covers a lot of ground and many years with little comment. But we are told about two righteous people who knew the Scriptures and who had been anxiously awaiting the appearance of the Messiah. Firstly Simeon. His words of thanksgiving to the LORD are prophetically astounding. As he held the baby Yeshua in his arms he said “For my eyes have seen Your salvation (‘yeshua’ in Hebrew) which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”  Isn’t that amazing. Secondly, an elderly lady Anna, a prophetess who proclaimed the Messiahship of this baby to all those who faithfully worshipped in the Temple. Finally, we are given an account of the 12 year old Yeshua, having had His Bar-Mitzvah (otherwise He would have been not be allowed to speak in the Temple) not only reading, but teaching with authority in the Temple.

But Miriam, His mother watched this Child’s development with awe. As indeed do we.     

Shabbat Shalom

RS