Reflections
Yom Kippur
Torah Reflections Yom Kippur
Torah portions Leviticus 16 : 1- 34 and
Haftarah portion Isaiah 57 : 14 to 58 : 14
Listen to the Prophets
Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.
Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.
When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.
The 10 days between the Feast of Trumpets and Yom Kippur are referred to as “the days of awe”. In Judaism, they are days of intraflection and reconciliation … putting things right.. putting things right with God and putting things right with those we live with and associate with on a daily basis. In fact the Scriptures clearly tell us that we cannot be right with God, and be at odds with each other (Matthew 5 : 24).
Those who have visited Israel at this time of year will know that everything stops on Yom Kippur. It is a day of fasting and reflection.( It is the reason why, in 1973, the Arab nations around Israel attacked them on that specific day. There is No Radio, No Television, No answering phones.. NOTHING goes on). The Scriptures declared that all the people have a day of solemn rest and strict Sabbath keeping. A day to “afflict your souls”.
It was the one day in every year, appointed by God, for the Chief Priest to enter the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and the Temple when they were functioning. The whole purpose of that visit by the Chief Priest was to ensure that he himself, and the Nation of people he represented, were made right with God in preparation for the year that lay ahead.
The awesome significance of this very special day is, regrettably, totally lost to the church. In addition to its special anointing by God, being set apart from all other days as it is, there is a unique event recorded in Revelation which we should all be acutely aware of. It is the day of the WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT. It is represented for us today by the day of Atonement. It is a special day ‘to put things right’.
Revelation 20 : 11 – 15 describes that day of Judgment. It needs no comment from me. The judgement is to determine who is right with God, and who is not. It is there for everyone to read, but before you read it I caution you to read Revelation 22 : 18,19 first. Many ‘Christians’ today have never taken time to even read Revelation, let alone try to understand its message. It is a letter written by Yeshua Himself, or at least dictated by Him to John.
The climax of the whole letter, in fact the climax of the whole message of the Scriptures comes in the next festival of the Lord, the Feast of Tabernacles, which is why these “mo’edim” of the Lord are so important to celebrate, be part of, and to remember.
I am saddened that the modern Christian church, which is largely ignorant of the “mo’edim” of the Lord, has missed a blessing which God intended us to enjoy.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Ha’azinu
Brit Hadashah Reflections 47
Torah portion Deuteronomy 32 : 1 - 52
Haftarah portion Hosea 14 : 2 – 10 Micah 7 : 18 – 20
Brit Hadashah Acts 16 : 1 - 18 : 28
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement about taking John Mark with them on, what turned out to be, Paul’s second missionary journey. So, Paul chose Silas as his companion and Barnabas took John Mark with him. Paul’s intent was to re-visit the places in Galatia where he and Barnabas had brought many to faith in Yeshua, in order to encourage them, and to continue teaching there. Passing through Derbe, they arrived in Lystra, where they met Timothy, a young man who was brought up as a Gentile even though his mother was Jewish. Now here is a revelation for those who do not have a “Hebraic” understanding of Paul. Read verse 3 carefully. “Paul took him (Timothy) and circumcised him”. IF Paul had been ‘converted’ from Judaism (as we are often taught) why on earth would he circumcise Timothy? Selah. (ponder)
Well, of course, the answer is that Paul intended to have Timothy accompany him into the Synagogues and to partake in the teaching. No Gentile would be allowed to do that. (some time later, Paul actually left Timothy behind in Ephesus to pastor the “ekklesia” there) However, as we read about the detail of Paul’s teaching on this trip we find that his main goal, apart from bringing new people to faith in Yeshua, was to emphasize the teaching of the “letter to the Gentiles” which had been written by the Jerusalem Council. We are told that there was a daily increase in their numbers as they taught the people, both from the Scriptures and by making known the contents of the letter from the Jerusalem Council. What a blessing!
For reasons which we do not know, the Holy Spirit forbade Paul and Silas to teach in some of the places along their journey. Eventually, Paul, Silas, Timothy and possibly Luke came to Phillipi, a Roman city in Macedonia, north eastern Greece. It is likely that there were no Jews there, and certainly no Synagogue. Paul stayed there many days and established an “ekklesia” there of some ladies who met for prayer on the Sabbath Day near a river. Here we are introduced to Lydia, a seller of ‘purple’, and to a slave girl who had a ‘spirit of divination’, from which her masters made a lot of money! Paul cast the “spirit” out of the girl, and for his trouble received a severe beating and was put into prison. The Lord miraculously saved them from custody, caused the jailer and his household to come to faith in Yeshua, arranged a pardon and apology from the magistrates, and shared fellowship and hospitality at the home of Lydia. Then they moved on again.
Next stop was Thessalonica, where there was a Synagogue of the Jews. For three Sabbaths Paul reasoned with them about Yeshua from the Scriptures (we must not forget that the only Scriptures then were the Hebrew Scriptures of course) Some Jews and many Greeks joined the “ekklesia” in Thessalonica. Other Jews remained unconvinced, and out of jealousy stirred up a mob against them and eventually the “ekklesia” arranged for Paul and Silas to leave by night to go to Berea, a town about 70 Km away, still in Northern Greece. Of the Bereans, the Bible tells us that “they were more fair-minded than the Thessalonians because they searched the Scriptures daily” to check what Paul was teaching!!
That is possibly the best lesson to be gained from this ‘reflection’. To be a “Berean”. They were cautious, they were sceptical, they were suspicious, and they were FAIR. They actually searched the scriptures to verify for themselves what they were being told. (It is a lesson I learned some years ago. I put everything I had been taught in Sunday School and Church on the ‘metaphorical’ shelf. Then I took off that shelf those things which I personally verified from the Scriptures. There are still many things on that shelf!). I recommend it to you.
Paul left Berea alone. Silas and Timothy remained there until Paul sent for them. Athens first, with Paul’s famous sermon on Mars Hill. “to the unkown God”. Then Corinth, where he met up with Aquila and Priscilla who had recently been expelled from Rome by the Emperor Claudius .It was here in Corinth, having preached in the Synagogue for several weeks and gained many more adherents to the “ekklesia”, that Paul grew weary of the continuous opposition of the orthodox Jews. The last straw came when they blasphemed against Yeshua. Paul retorted “Your blood be on your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles”.
Paul remained there for another 18 months before moving on to Ephesus. The travelogue is exciting as Paul consistently preached salvation through the Sonship of Yeshua. Be a Berean, check it out.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Nitzvaim / Vayelech
Brit Hadashah Reflections 46
Torah portion Deuteronomy 29 : 9 – 31 : 30
Haftarah portion Isaiah 61 : 10 – 63 : 9
Brit Hadashah Acts 14 : 1 - 15 : 41
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
As we follow the ministry of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas it makes interesting context to locate the various places on the maps in the back of your Bible. The general area of activity is known as Galatia, a large area of today’s central Turkey. There were obviously diaspora Jews living there, because the Apostles visited their Synagogues, seeking to teach the orthodox Jews about Yeshua. However, the populace in general were pagan Gentiles. It is also obvious from our reading that great division occurred between those who came to faith in Yeshua and those who did not. Very little has changed in that regard !! .(We know from Paul’s letter to the Galations that many of the Gentile population came to faith in Yeshua too, but they were harassed by the orthodox Jews to convert to Judaism in order to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. A situation against which Paul fervently taught). Anyway, the orthodox Jews managed to somehow “poison the minds” of the general Gentile population against Paul and Barnabas. Never-the-less, they continued there a long time, and many signs and wonders were done among the people. But in spite of that, eventually, the situation turned violent, so Paul and Barnabas moved on.
About 30 Km south was the city of Lystra, their first stop. There is no mention of a Synagogue in Lystra, but they preached the gospel anyway, presumably in the open air. Listening intently to Paul was a man who had NEVER walked. Their eyes met, and instantly Paul was aware that the Holy Spirit had work to do in that place. “Stand up straight on your feet” Paul shouted. The man who had NEVER walked instantly leapt to his feet and began to walk! The result was more than Paul and Barnabas had counted on. The locals began to worship them as visiting ‘deities’. Shock, horror. (Note carefully the reaction of Paul and Barnabas here. They were almost beside themselves in deflecting ANY glory from themselves. Their attempts to heap praises on ‘the living God’, witnessing to His great power as Creator of the Universe caused the locals to venerate them more as His emissaries, and it was all they could do to prevent the locals offering sacrifices to them.) I can only guess what temptation there is, on those whom God uses so mightily, to take some of that glory for oneself, albeit with a modicum of modesty!
But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium turned up. They managed to persuade the locals, who only recently were venerating Paul and Barnabas, to turn against them. Paul was stoned by the crowd, dragged out of the city and left for dead. The disciples of Lystra gathered round the prostrate Paul. Suddenly, he stood up as though nothing had happened and walked back into the city. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” was a promise of God given to Isaiah. Hallelujah.
The next day, they left for the 80Km or so journey to Derbe, where they preached the gospel, made many disciples, and after a short stay retraced their steps back through Lystra and Iconium to Antioch. What a trip! Eventually they arrived back in Jerusalem and reported their success in bringing to faith many Gentile believers. The Jerusalem Council was aware from Peter’s encounter with Cornelius that God had made no distinction of grace against Gentiles, but there was a question in the Council regarding what should be expected of Gentiles who wished to fellowship with Jews in Jewish Synagogues.
They prepared the well-known “Letter to the Gentiles”, details of which are recorded in Acts 15:23-29. Many of us have been taught that this short list of basic instructions for Gentiles supersedes the Torah of Moses which applies to Jews. But we need to carefully consider exactly what the letter says, as well as the reasoning of the Council after the wording of the letter had been agreed.
Firstly, what was NOT necessary. Circumcision was not a prerequisite for partaking in fellowship with Messianic Jews. Secondly, what IS necessary. There are THREE non-negotiable requirements. Two have a direct bearing on the idolatrous pagan past of these proselytes. Eating food which had been offered idols, and sexual immorality which was a feature of many pagan festivals and rituals. Lastly to abstain from food not killed by ritually Kosher methods. That is food containing the blood of the animal, as in being strangled. BUT that is NOT all. Note carefully verse 21, which formed an important part of their conclusions in deciding what to put in the letter. They expected that the proselytes joining the “ekklesia” would, over time, learn the full extent of Torah as “Moses” would be read and preached in Synagogues in every city. Didn’t Yeshua say “My yoke is easy and My burden is light”?
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Ki Tavo
Brit Hadashah Reflections 45
Torah portion Deuteronomy 26 : 1 – 29 : 8
Haftarah portion Isaiah 60 : 1 – 22
Brit Hadashah Acts 11 : 1 - 13 : 52
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
Our reading this week opens with confirmation of the “Hebraic” nature and the true intent of God’s ‘sheet’ vision given to the Apostle Peter (and which we ‘reflected’ upon last week). It related to inclusive relationship with Gentiles. As Peter enlightened fellow Jews about his visit to, and dining with, Gentiles in Caesarea, they too became excited about the fact that God had graciously “granted to the Gentiles repentance to life”. Most of those reading this ‘reflection’ are direct beneficiaries of that grace today. Praise be to our God who does all things well.
But to emphasize the point, the ‘sheet’ vision was NOT about food!
In further emphasis, we are appraised of the fact that following the stoning death of Stephen, a great dispersion of “the ekklesia” (Messianic Jews) took place. That resulted in a situation of Messianic Jew teaching diaspora Orthodox Jew about Yeshua in Jewish Synagogues wherever they went. Additionally, there was a significant expansion of believers among Gentiles, especially in the city of Antioch (about 800Km north of Jerusalem).
When “the ekklesia” in Jerusalem heard about this Gentile awakening, they sent Barnabas there to teach truth to the Antioch “ekklesia”. He found ‘fertile ground’ because more and more people came to faith in Yeshua. Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus (about 250 Km away) to get the recently converted Sha’ul, and together, in Antioch, for the next twelve months, they joined the local “ekklesia” teaching and encouraging them. It was in Antioch that believers were first called “Christians”, but trust me when I tell you that, at that time, it was a term of derision which was coined by those who did not accept the truth about Yeshua’s deity.
Out of the Antioch “ekklesia” certain prophets arose. One of them, called Agabus, prophesied a worldwide famine. It came sometime between the mid forties and early fifties (which is when Claudius reigned in Rome). The faithful saints in Antioch determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea, which they entrusted Barnabas and Sha’ul to deliver. (Later, Rabbi Sha’ul would write “For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things” Romans 15:27) It could be that he was greatly moved by the actions of the Antioch “ekklesia” don’t you think? My mind also goes to the promise of God given to Abram in Genesis 12:3.
Before Barnabas and Sha’ul returned to Antioch, they celebrated Passover in Jerusalem. At that time King Herod was flexing his muscle against the believers. He had already killed James the brother of John, which pleased the hierarchy of the Jews. His clear intention was to deal similarly with Peter, but because it was Passover, he threw Peter in jail until Passover was ended. But God had other plans. He sent an Angel to rescue Peter. Then later, Herod overstepped the mark by exalting himself above God in the eyes of the people and he died. So it was that Barnabas and Sha’ul returned to Antioch, this time taking John Mark with them.
With the “ekklesia” at Antioch well served with teachers and prophets God spoke to them about releasing Barnabas and Sha’ul for the extensive work as itinerant evangelists. It seems that this was the point at which Rabbi Sha’ul began to be known as the Apostle Paul. (In 1 Cor 9:19-23 he takes time to explain how he presents himself as ‘becoming all things to all men’) And so it is that we see for the first time Paul and Rabbi Sha’ul (the same person) begin to minister fearlessly and with great authority, in Synagogues and in the open air, to any and every audience he could find.
Have you ever wondered why, wherever he went, his first point of contact seemed to be the local Synagogue? And why he almost invariably was invited to speak there? I have. Did he have some kind of ‘light’ shining on him wherever he went? I think not. The answer which occurs to me is that, even though we are never taught this in our churches, (at least I wasn’t) he was Rabbi Sha’ul. He maintained his Judaism all his life (At least until Acts 28!!) He probably dressed as a Rabbi, and of course, when he spoke, he spoke with authority and great knowledge. After all, he was trained by the Rabbi Gamaliel wasn’t he?
Much of the remainder of “Acts” deals with the ministry journeys and trials of the Apostle Paul, on which we will ‘reflect’ in the weeks ahead. I pray that you will come to appreciate, perhaps in a new way, the blessings which are ours resulting from the obedient, faithful, service of this Messianic Jew, Rabbi Sha’ul. (A Hebrew of the Hebrews!)
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Ki Tetze
Brit Hadashah Reflections 44
Torah portion Deuteronomy 21 : 10 – 25 : 19
Haftarah portion Isaiah 54 : 1 – 10
Brit Hadashah Acts 9 : 1 - 10 : 48
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
This week, two passages of Scripture which are quite misunderstood by a majority of Christians. The task here being to provide the “Hebraic” understanding of these events, which differs from the usual conventional Christian teaching on these passages. The first, in Chapter 9 relates to coming to faith of Rabbi Sha’ul. The second, in Chapter 10 relates Peter’s vision of the sheet with all manner of food on it.
That Rabbi Sha’ul was ‘converted’ on the Damascus Road is not an issue. We know what he was ‘converted’ from. He was an ardent practitioner of Rabbinic Judaism. They were Pharisees, described by Yeshua as ‘following the traditions of men’. But what was he ‘converted’ to? If you are like me, you will have been taught that he was ‘converted’ to Christianity (a new faith set apart from Judaism) and so he is considered the father of this new faith which is centred on Yeshua. As a result, the vast majority of Christians have become disciples of Rabbi Sha’ul (through their genuine misunderstanding) rather than disciples of Yeshua. Selah. (which means take a moment to reflect on that).
We know that Sha’ul was a fervent persecutor of believers in Yeshua. He refers to them (v.2) as “the Way”, (and later in Acts 24 he adds that they were a ‘sect’ of Judaism of which he had become part!! A most significant confession by him given our normal understanding of his “Christianity”) His mission to Damascus was to take captive anyone he could lay his hands upon who had become a believer in Yeshua.
Suddenly a ‘light shone around him from heaven’ ! He became blinded by that light and for three days he neither ate nor drank. His companions saw nothing but heard the voice that Sha’ul heard. The story is well known. What is usually missed however is the person God sent to minister to Sha’ul. Ananias was one of the believers. Fearful of Sha’ul because of his reputation, Ananias eventually went and announced to Sha’ul that he was to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
It is noteworthy that Ananias and other disciples of Yeshua in Damascus spent ‘some days’ with Sha’ul, presumably teaching him about Yeshua. We also know that these men (see Acts 22:12) were ‘devout men according to the ‘Law’ (Torah). This is consistent with the statement by the Jerusalem Council in Acts 21:20 that upon coming to faith in Yeshua the believers were all ‘zealous for the Law’ (Torah). So now we can answer the question about what was Sha’ul converted to! He was converted from Pharasaic Judaism to Messianic Judaism. And that, my dear friends, is not the same as the anti-semitic, anti Torah, Romanised Christianity, which is usually taught about the conversion experience of the highly esteemed Rabbi Sha’ul.
In Chapter 10 we have the account of Peter’s vision of the descending sheet displaying food. Again, to understand the “Hebraic” import of this vision we need to understand that ALL the early believers in Yeshua were Torah observant Jews and proselytes. They were adherents or converts to Messianic Judaism. They were “zealous for the Law” (Torah). Why? Because that was the unambiguous teaching of Yeshua. Peter, in particular, had spent three years in close company with The Master. Disciples are learners, imitators, copiers of their Master. They sought to be as much like Him as possible. He did not come to abolish Torah, but to make it full of meaning. That is the background.
Christians have been taught that this vision was given to Peter with the express purpose of superseding the dietary laws contained in the Torah (see Deuteronomy 14). That was NOT what Peter understood. Was Peter both confused and concerned by the vision? Yes he was. Immediately after he had his ‘sheet’ vision he received a visit by men from Caesarea, sent by the gentile believer Cornelius ( on the instruction of an Angel by a vision) requesting that Peter visit him. But devout Jews did not visit with gentiles and certainly wouldn’t eat with them !!
“What God has cleansed you must not call common (or unclean)”
Those words of God in his ‘sheet’ vision slammed into his mind. Peter confirms this in verse 28. “But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” For Peter, the confusion of the ‘sheet’ vision was immediately resolved. It was NOT about food at all, It was about human relationships in the sight of a Holy God.
Dear friends, when Yeshua said “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets” He meant it. Trust Him on that. God will bless you as you study His word with a “Hebraic” understanding.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Shoftim
Brit Hadashah Reflections 43
Torah portion Deuteronomy 16 : 18 – 21 : 9
Haftarah portion Isaiah 51 : 12 – 52 : 12
Brit Hadashah Acts 6 : 1 - 8 : 40
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
The number of disciples was ‘multiplying’. To put the correct “Hebraic” understanding here, we must remember that, whilst it is now commonly taught that this relates to ‘church growth’ (and we mostly, incorrectly, relate that to the building on the corner of our local High Street), it is in fact a growth of what is known today as Messianic Judaism ( ‘ekklesia’ in Greek). It was part and parcel of the local Synagogue. (The Apostle Paul would later describe them in Acts 24:14 as a sect of Judaism known as “The Way”). That community had begun to attract Gentiles into their number. And it was still in the era of “having all things in common”. Then dispute arose about a degree of favouritism to Jews in the “daily” food distribution.
The result was the appointment of ‘deacons’, charged with the daily responsibility of ensuring that the “ekklesia” were organised in an orderly manner, and with fairness to all its members. The Apostles, the original 11 plus Matthias, giving themselves to the most important responsibility of prayer and teaching the Word. We are also told that following the appointment of these seven deacons “the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith”. Let us remind ourselves again that all this evangelism and spectacular growth took place within the boundaries of Judaism. Our foundations as believers is rooted and firmly grounded in Judaism. Gentiles were not excluded but were very much a minority group within the “ekklesia”. However, the deacons were also engaged in ministry duties and we are told that one of them, Stephen, “did great wonders and signs among the people”.
We are then introduced to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen (Libertines)” from which a small group of troublemakers arose. This Synagogue is believed to be a Greek speaking Synagogue comprising of mainly diaspora Hellenists who had made Aliya and sundry other Greek speaking proselytes. They conspired to bring false charges of blasphemy and false teaching against Stephen. They were certainly ‘anti-Christ’ by persuasion and determined to have nothing to do with Yeshua. Similar charges were later laid at the Apostle Paul’s feet. Specifically, the charge at that time being that he was teaching AGAINST the “Law of Moses”, the Torah, which, of course, he was NOT.
I find it interesting to see how much things have changed. Today the charge laid at the feet of Messianic Judaism (“the ekklesia”) is that they ARE teaching that the “law of Moses”,(the Torah), is alive and well and has never been abrogated. The REAL issue today is no different to that which was present in the days of Acts 6. It is what Yeshua described as “the traditions of men”, the teachings of Rabbinic Judaism which deny the deity of Messiah Yeshua.
As Stephen spoke in defence of his teaching, it was his charge against his accusers that they were not keeping the Torah as it had been revealed to them, by angels, and more recently by Yeshua, the living Torah, which “cut them to their heart”. In their rage they stoned Stephen to death. One of the witnesses, consenting to this action, was none other than a young Rabbi Sha’ul. He became a fervent activist in the persecution of the “ekklesia”. We are told that he “made havoc of the “ekklesia”” entering homes, and by the authority he was given by the ruling body, committed many to prison. But the hand of God was in this too, because this persecution caused the faithful to scatter across the land, and wherever they went, they preached the good news of the gospel of salvation in Yeshua.
One such was Philip. He went to the city of Samaria (not far from modern day Nablus, originally the biblical Shechem). He preached Messiah to them and using the gifts with which he was anointed he proclaimed healing to the sick and cast out demons from those possessed by unclean spirits. Thus he brought great joy to the city. One of the converts was a man, Simon, who had previously practised sorcery. BUT, Simon observed that by the laying on of hands, the apostles were able to impart supernatural gifts to others, so he sought to BUY that gift with the prospect of making money out of it! There is not enough money in the whole world to BUY anything from God. His gifting is freely preserved for those whom He chooses to anoint, but it is perfectly proper to ask God for such anointing. One is never left wondering whether or not that gift is present. Its evidence in a person’s life cannot be mistaken .. and neither can the counterfeit. God requires that He, and He alone, receives the glory for our gifting. By such is the Kingdom of God extended.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Re’eh
Brit Hadashah Reflections 42
Torah portion Deuteronomy 11 : 26 – 16 : 17
Haftarah portion Isaiah 54 : 11 – 55 : 5
Brit Hadashah Acts 3 : 1 - 5 : 42
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
Possibly the most exciting and certainly a most challenging passage of Scripture this week as we begin to learn of the extraordinary ministry of the disciples of Yeshua in the early days of their empowered lives. Talk about boldness? Fearless in their exploits. The prophet Daniel said “they that know their God shall be strong, and do great exploits” (Daniel 11:32) And the ‘Preacher’ said “whatever your hands find to do, do it with your might.” (Ecclesiastes 10:9) Well these men became living proof of the life of faith. Why? Because they KNEW their God.
A man, lame from birth, carried to the same spot each day to beg alms of those entering the Temple. Can you hear him? “Spare a mite sir?” How many times each day would those words have passed his lips? Eyes cast down not wanting to look at the faces of those who rejected him. How many people (like me!) hurried on without a glance? But on this day, Peter and John stopped. “look at us” Peter demanded. And a short time later, this elated man walked with them, leaping and praising God, into the Temple. They were soon surrounded by a large crowd. Only a short few weeks earlier Peter had denied even knowing Yeshua. Now, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, he preached a message of repentance to the expectant crowd. What a change. It often amazes me, but it ought not to, that we barely recognize that his audience was entirely Jewish. For that reason Peter was able to show them, from the Scriptures how Yeshua was the fulfilment of God’s promise to raise up for them “a prophet like Moses”. He was, and He still is, the fulfilment of that promise. (“To the Jew first, and also to the Greek”)
If that were the end of their day witnessing to the love of Yeshua they would have thought they had a good day, wouldn’t they? But it was not. Because as they spoke to the large crowd assembled in Solomon’s Porch, the Captain of the Temple, no less, together some priests and Sadducees turned up. (Note here that the Sadducees do not believe in ‘resurrection’) They were incensed and threw Peter and John into jail! Who says God is not in control? Most of us would say “How terrible”. But God WAS in control then, and He is in control now.
The very next day “their rulers, elders, scribes, Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas John, Alexander and all the family of the High Priest gathered to see ‘justice done’.” But what they heard was the gospel of Yeshua, preached boldly, clearly and without compromise, and that in the presence of the man, now walking, who only one day earlier was crippled, begging in the Temple. The outcome was staggering in its manifestation. The text makes clear that they all ‘marvelled’ at what they heard. They were truly convinced that Peter and John had been with Yeshua in His resurrected form. BUT they thought their standing in the community was being threatened if they made that confession. So they chose their rank and status above the truth. Dear friends, can you see, as I can, that the same obstinacy prevails today? And that not only in the hierarchical community of Judaism. It is costly, in this life, to confess Yeshua as Lord. It cost these Apostles their very life later on, but it did not stop them from being fervent witnesses to the saving grace of God which was wrought by the death and resurrection of Yeshua.
The work of the Kingdom continued and those who were now enjoined to the “ekklesia” shared things in common. Several decided to sell such land possessions as they had and present the proceeds as gifts to their community. It was a voluntary act of love. There was no pressure upon anyone. BUT, we are told of a couple, Ananias and his wife Sapphira who also sold a land possession but only gave a portion of the proceeds to the community. There was nothing wrong in doing that, except that their offering was presented in a manner which portrayed that they were giving ALL the proceeds, as others had done. It was a devious, insincere, act on their part and the Apostle Peter was aware of their deception. He pronounced it to be “lying to God”. Ananias fell down dead, on the spot, before Peter. Sapphira, his wife, unaware of this, turned up three hours later and she too confirmed by her declaration that she had co-conspired with Ananias to hold back part of the proceeds of the sale. She too dropped dead at the Apostle’s feet.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” Hebrews 10:31
May you find peace and joy in faithfully serving Him who alone is worthy of our praise. To Him be all the glory.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Ekev
Brit Hadashah Reflections 41
Torah portion Deuteronomy 7 : 12 – 11 : 25
Haftarah portion Isaiah 49 : 14 – 51 : 3
Brit Hadashah Acts 1 : 1 - 2 : 47
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
We now ‘reflect’ on the account of events in the days following the ascension of Yeshua into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. Luke tells us that this is “Volume 2” of that historical account, written for Theophilus. (Please refer to my Brit Hadashah ‘reflection’ Number 21 for more information on this matter). Luke begins with the dramatic scene, forty days after His crucifixion, as Yeshua ascends into heaven, watched by His disciples, up into the clouds and out of their sight. What an awesome and probably an even sad sight that must have been for them. Alone again, Yeshua gone from them for a second time.
But with their faith strengthened by the post resurrection encounters with Him, they had two more promises to encourage them. Firstly they were promised that they would receive “the power of the Holy Spirit”. And secondly that “this same Yeshua, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven”. That first promise was a mere ten days away. The second promise has been the bedrock of the hope of all believers from that day to this.
Six weeks earlier, Judas Iscariot had committed suicide. Using Psalm 109:8 as their guide, they decided that Judas’ place, as an overseer with them, should be filled by another. Then by means of the quite ordinary action of ‘casting lots’, Matthias was selected as his replacement. However, we should carefully note that this was no haphazard selection. They were diligent in seeking God in prayer, trusting His guidance. I suggest to you that this was not a ‘majority’ verdict. I believe it would have been a unanimous selection. And here is a lesson for us. Too often, in my experience, church groups are ‘democratic’ in their practices and ‘majority’ decisions are commonplace. Invariably this leads to elements of discontent, even division. When God is in control there will always be unanimity!! I respectfully counsel that it is better to wait until there is unanimity, rather than to proceed with major issues on split opinion!!
Ten days after Yeshua ascended into heaven brought them to one of God’s ‘appointed times’. Shavuot, Feast of Weeks, Pentecost. It is one of three ‘pilgrimage’ festivals, when all Jewish males were required to go up to Jerusalem (the other two being Passover and Tabernacles). Shavuot is always on ‘the first day of the week’, Sunday to gentiles (see Leviticus 23:16). Judaism traditionally considers this to be the exact date when God met Moses on the mountain to give him His Torah. (Exodus 19). It is certainly the time when God provided His disciples with the promised “power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”. Since this was a pilgrimage festival, God’s timing was, as always impeccable. The city was filled with Jews from all over the diaspora (see list in verses 9-11). Now we should take note of some interesting parallels between the two ‘gifts’ which God visited upon these Jewish men.
In Exodus, God gave the people His Torah. His ‘instructions about living together in righteousness’. About living in a manner which was quite different to the nations around them when they would enter the land of promise several years later. In Acts 2, we see the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out, all the nationalities hearing the words of salvation in their own language. So powerful was the message Peter preached, that 3000 were added to their number in one day. And many more followed in days ahead. That is amazing. But we should take care not to diminish the message. It was not one of promised prosperity, of enhanced circumstances, of reduced hardship, of better living conditions. It was a message of the sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection of Yeshua. They spoke confidently because they had spent time with Him after that resurrection. They had, just ten days earlier, watched as He ascended into heaven. It was a bold message. It was a message of REPENTANCE. It was a message of baptism. It was a message of living righteously with each other. It was a message of living differently to how they had become accustomed. And it showed.
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship”. Less than 150 years ago, a new document (Didache .. means teaching) was discovered. Its full title is “The teachings of the twelve Jewish Apostles to the Gentiles”. It dates from the first century C.E. I commend it to you as an ancient resource. It is an expansion of the Acts 15 letter to the gentiles. But be warned, it may provide quite a challenge for a ‘traditional’ Christian believer today!
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Va’etchanan
Brit Hadashah Reflections 40
Torah portion Deuteronomy 3 : 23 – 7 : 11
Haftarah portion Isaiah 40 : 1 – 26
Brit Hadashah John 20 : 1 - 21 : 25
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
“On the first day of the week …. while it was still dark.” In our understanding of days and dates that was very early on Sunday morning. The grave was empty (except for the two angels who spoke to Mary Magdalene). My personal belief is that Yeshua vacated that grave immediately after Shabbat, some hours earlier, but still at the very commencement of “the first day of the week”. That is consistent with His being in the grave for “three nights and three days” (which precludes a Good Friday crucifixion date!) as was the sign of the Prophet Jonah which He had told the Pharisees in Matthew 16:4.
To understand the significance of verses 9 and 10, we should understand that this Gospel account by John was written several years after the event. So he uses the phrase “For as yet”. We know that Psalm 16:10, for example, makes reference to Messiah not seeing corruption in Sheol (a resurrection promise) but evidently the disciples were not familiar with that being such. It would not be long before they understood everything.
Within a very short space of time, the same day in fact, Yeshua began to make Himself known to the other disciples. They were still in a state of shock, closed in a room, fearing for their lives, trying to make sense of everything, when suddenly Yeshau appeared before them. Must have been pretty scary eh? Over the course of the next 40 days, Yeshua appeared to over 500 people, some more than once. Thus He ensured that there were plenty of eyewitnesses to the fact that the recently dead Yeshua, was again very much alive. He still is!!
The third occasion that Yeshua met with His disciples after His resurrection was in their home territory of the Galilee. They had returned to their “day job”. Fishing. They were returning to their base, empty-handed, after a long night on the Lake. Yeshua, standing on the shore called out enquiring about their catch. “Absolutely nothing” they replied. “Put your net on the other side of the boat and you will catch some fish” Yeshua said. The net was suddenly filled with 153 fish. Amazing. Immediately Peter recognized the sign. It was the Lord. We have an account in Luke 5 of an earlier occasion when Yeshua began to call these fishermen to follow Him. It was an amazing catch of fish, after a night when they had caught nothing, that got their first attention. There is an interesting note regarding the exact number of fish that were caught that morning. It verifies the fact that John was an eyewitness to this event. In addition, the fact that they ate some fish for breakfast verifies that Yeshua was there in bodily form. This was not a mirage. The disciples were given absolute verification of the bodily resurrection of Yeshua, a matter for which they would ultimately risk, and even lose, their own lives in the telling.
Then, after breakfast, we have the account of Yeshua’s questioning of Peter. If you are inquisitive, like me, you will be wondering why Yeshua persisted three times to ask Peter the same question! Well, our English translations do not do this encounter justice, because there are two different words used in the Greek for the English word “love”. In the first two questions, Yeshua used the word “agapeo” (unconditional love). This is the same love which Yeshua Himself exhibited when He voluntarily submitted Himself to that painful degrading death at Calvary. On each of these first two occasions Peter responded with the word “phileo” (love as between friends). On the third question, both Yeshua and Peter use “phileo”. It seemed that Yeshua was seeking the response which Peter had exhibited at the time before Yeshua was arrested. The time when Yeshua told him that before the ‘cock crowed’ Peter would have denied Yeshua three times. And he did. Verse 18 indicates the type of death which Peter would eventually suffer for his discipleship.
Then finally, Yeshua again, as on the first time they had met, said “Follow Me”. The Apostle John immediately followed Yeshua. Seeing this, Peter, following the disclosure in verse 18, was curious to know what was to become of John. Yeshua’s answer is one of which we should all take note. “What is that to you?” In other words, “You do as I tell you, it is not your concern what I tell others!” Nothing has changed has it?
We are called to discipleship as individuals. Each one of us is required to make a personal choice as to whether we “Follow Him” or not. That decision cannot be made by proxy. So the message given to Peter applies equally to us when we hear that call. Just be obedient to your own calling. Do that which God reveals to you. Be diligent in searching out God’s will for your life. The rest will fall into place.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Devarim
Brit Hadashah Reflections 39
Torah portion Deuteronomy 1 : 1 – 3 : 22
Haftarah portion Isaiah 1 : 1 – 27
Brit Hadashah John 18 : 1 - 19 : 42
Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua
So we enter the last day of Yeshua’s earthly mission, the restoration of “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” to be a light to the nations. So the final chapter began to unfold. He went, with His disciples, to the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley between the Temple and the Mount of Olives. Every Christian who has ever visited modern day Israel will have spent time there, pondering, praying and remembering.
It was dark, the very early hours of the morning, lanterns and torches, with weapons drawn, a detachment of soldiers, led by Judas Iscariot, came to the place where Yeshua was. Following them were officers from the office of the Chief Priest and the Pharisees, Quite a crowd. But they were expected. So Yeshua stepped forward. “Whom are you seeking?” They said they were looking for Yeshua of Nazareth. He declared “I am He”. Thus establishing His identity as the Son of God, consistent with His earlier statements about Himself, (see John 14:6 and other places) and probably for the Pharisees benefit. They were astonished, even fearful, as they retreated and fell to the ground. Then He asked again, “Whom are you seeking?” The main reason for this second question was to clearly establish that they were looking ONLY for Him, and that His disciples were not in trouble and would not be taken. This was consistent with His prayer in John 17:12, that none of those the Father had given to Him would be lost.
The impetuous Peter, seeking to defend His Master, cut off the ear of Malchus, one of the servants of the high priest, which, Luke tells us, Yeshua immediately restored. Then Yeshua, again emphasizing the voluntary nature of His death on a Roman cross which would shortly follow, reminded His disciples that there were legions available for His defence if that were considered necessary. So Yeshua was arrested, bound, and eventually taken to the high priest, the instigator of the false charges of which He was accused.
What followed His arrest, was a series of “trials”. Examinations of sorts, designed to establish His guilt. It was during these “trials” that Peter denied His association with Yeshua. I often wonder how I might have behaved in Peter’s position, faced, as he was, with the real prospect of losing his own life because of that association!! How about you? It is worth pondering the thought. One which could even be a real faith strengthener. We should all consider the possibility that we might have to face that very situation one day. Many Christians today (like the Coptic Christians in Egypt) are called upon to make such a declaration. It is not hypothetical, it is very real.
The ‘examinations’, before Annas, Caiaphas and eventually Pilate, who pronounced that he could find NO fault in Him. Without blemish. Just like the Passover Lamb was to be! And which He voluntarily became for our sakes.
John chapter 19, contains the harrowing account of Yeshua’s last hours. It is horrible. I have a friend who was asked to read this chapter one Friday morning in the church of which I was then a member. He was unable to read beyond verse 3, breaking down in uncontrollable sobbing. That such wanton cruelty and injustice could be perpetrated on an innocent man was too much to contemplate. And to think that it was voluntarily accepted by Him for my sake! .. and yours!!
But when we get to John 19:30, we read those triumphant words of Yeshua. “It is finished”. We could paraphrase that into modern idiom. “Mission accomplished”. The blood of the sacrifice, acceptable to the Father, had been shed. The debt of sinful man fully paid. But still there were chapters to be written. Remember Yeshua’s prayer in John 17:20. That sacrifice was valid ONLY for those who believe. Think about that. It is available to ALL, but few there be who accept it. Tragic.
My final ‘reflection’ relates to the extremely “Hebraic” nature of this event. It was the restoration of the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” which was finished on that Roman Cross. God had promised Abram in Genesis 12 : 3 that through him “all the families of the earth shall be blessed”. ALL the early believers were Jewish. They were the ones who became the evangelists. They were the ones who kept “the Word” and preserved it in written form. They were the ones through whom we, centuries later, are privileged to have knowledge of Him who died. God entrusted His written word to the Jews. His own “special treasure”.
The Apostle Paul has an admonition for we who are Gentiles in Romans 15. Read it. And take special note of verse 27.
Shabbat Shalom
RS