Do you like to receive presents? It seems most people do. They usually surround some celebration or memorable event. Some are shared by a community, like Christmas; however, most are focused upon more personal things. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and graduations come to mind. On a spiritual level we may be grateful for the gift of life through Messiah Jesus or the gift of an answered prayer. Presents are things that come undeserved. They are not earned or are some kind of reward. God's presents are given just because He gives. It is who He is.
Special days and memorials highlight the presents the Lord has bestowed upon us. Good Friday followed by Resurrection Sunday remind us of His gifts to us as well as Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God's Word is replete with festivals and feasts that serve to remind us of the many things God has done for us and given to us.
2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us, “In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Salvation or deliverance is a great gift from God. In the context of the passage Paul is admonishing the believers in Corinth to not assimilate into the degraded culture that surrounds them. The present given by God is deliverance from such things. The world engages in a never ending assault upon our lives and our spirits. At times it can feel overwhelming. In the remainder of chapter 6 Paul documents the variety of attacks that plague those who desire to walk in the truth of the Gospel and with the Messiah. It reminds us that our Lord warned that the enemy of our soul has come to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). It can be an imposing thought as we enter each day.
However, we need not be dismayed, for 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us of the gift God has given us through Yeshua our Messiah. Actually it is the present. Every day is the acceptable time for our deliverance. Every day is the day of salvation. It is not tomorrow, for we cannot know that tomorrow will be ours. Yes, we plan and anticipate but there are no guarantees. Likewise, we can do nothing to change the past. We can change course or seek forgiveness for wrongs done, but the events of the past are unchangeable. We may live with the consequences but we do not live in the past. At least we should not. I do know people who try to live in the past or let the events of the past rob them of the present. The present is very much that. A present, a gift, from God. Each day is a new opportunity. Each day brings salvation or deliverance from the very hand of God.
Perhaps this comes with the passing of years, the appreciation for each day as a present for God. Every day has new mercies (see Lamentations 3:22-23) and new deliverance. Presents are given to celebrate some joyful event. I guess that makes each day given an event worth celebrating. I do not make light of those times of pain and sorrow, however, they should be events that pass and heal with the present of each new mercy filled day. We train our children to be grateful for presents they have received. How much more appropriate is it for the children of God to enjoy and express appreciation for each present He graciously bestows upon us.
We should learn from the past and hope for the future, but oh how we should enjoy the present from the Lord God with each morning sunrise (or evening sunset if we follow a Hebraic day). Life is to be celebrated. We must not let the past rob us of the present God has given or allow anxiety of the future to steal the joy of the gift of the moment. I used to have a little card sitting on my desk that simply said, "life is not lost in days but moment by moment". How easy it is to take the Lord's present gift for granted and lose life moment by moment. The other half of John 10:10 tells us, that He came that we may have life, and have it in abundance.
What are you doing with God's present? It wasn't meant to be opened tomorrow. Now is the accepted time, the present is the time of deliverance. So, celebrate the present God gave you. It is a gift from Him to be enjoyed today.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Leaven Lessons
How important is leaven to you? Bread, donuts, sticky buns, pizza crust, even some pastas have leaven. It is in most of the baked goods we consume. It is not a bad thing. It actually makes food it unites with better. For the most part I am not a big bread eater, unless it is pizza dough. Well, there is this really good rosemary, olive oil bread that makes amazing toast. I can sit for a moment, eyes closed, inhale deeply and allow my olfactories a moment of ecstasy. Most would admit that there is something comforting about the smell of fresh baked bread. Bread is one of those staples of life. Leaven helps make that possible.
God talks a bit about leaven, however, not always in the most complimentary ways. Yeshua told his disciples, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Matt. 16:6). The Apostle Paul gave a similar warning in 1 Cor. 5:6-7, "Your glorying is not good. do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened."
Leaven often refers to sin or impurity and always points to the nature of leaven to spread and permeate things it is joined with. We are warned how sin can do that to us. It tends to sneak in and then try to permeate who we are. But leaven is not always seen as evil. Yeshua borrowed the properties of leaven when speaking of His Kingdom: "Another parable spoke he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Matt. 13:33). The promise is that God's Kingdom, in God's time, will permeate the world. The question is, are we being permeated by sin or by preparation for the kingdom?
Leaven often refers to sin or impurity and always points to the nature of leaven to spread and permeate things it is joined with. We are warned how sin can do that to us. It tends to sneak in and then try to permeate who we are. But leaven is not always seen as evil. Yeshua borrowed the properties of leaven when speaking of His Kingdom: "Another parable spoke he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Matt. 13:33). The promise is that God's Kingdom, in God's time, will permeate the world. The question is, are we being permeated by sin or by preparation for the kingdom?
Back in the days of Moses, God introduced a new use of leaven, or rather the non-use of leaven. Following Passover, when all leaven had been removed from the house, God's people were to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days of avoiding eating anything with leaven. Lots of Matzo. Technically, the passages only prohibit the consumption of leaven. It does not say that all you could eat was unleavened bread, so it appears that meat, fruits and vegetables might be allowed. However, many Jews restrict their diet to just Matzo for the week. As a Gentile I had not observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread. What benefit could there be in going a week without my usual fare of leavened products? Still, it was God's idea, so I thought I would join my Jewish friends and avoid leaven for a week. I did eat other stuff, like meats and vegetables, but avoided consuming anything with leaven in it.
It can be pretty amazing what your brain and body do when you decide not to eat something. Bread and pizza smell incredible. Even leavened stuff I never eat took on a strange appeal. Throughout the week I was reminded over and over again of the danger of sin mixing into my life. It made me consider everything I ate, from fruit to junk food. My mind reviewed the events of Passover several times a day. I thought more of God and sin and His deliverance that I had for a while. Just by avoiding leaven.
One of the lessons I was reminded of is the remarkable integration of my being. God did not design us with individual compartments. We often speak of our mind, will, emotions and body as almost separate entities. Our Lord said, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38). Indicating that the spirit and flesh are connected. Weakness in our flesh has an impact on our spirit. What we do physically touches how we think and how we feel. A good physical workout can leave us mentally and emotionally refreshed. Not eating leaven put the integration of my being on display before me in a remarkable way. My random mental activity went something like this:
"I am hungry, but don't eat leaven, by the way, how is your purity going? Okay, and I know I am delivered like Israel was... by the blood of the Lamb, who warns me of the dangers of sin while delivering me from death. Sooo, are you really hungry? Maybe a little fasting would be good for your body. Let's just have a glass of water. Put down the M & Ms and walk away. Take a moment and thank the Lord for all you have, rather than what you don't have. Remember the simple act of denying yourself is the call of Messiah on your life. What would Jesus do is more than a bracelet. Hmmm, maybe God has a bigger point to make in my life than just not eating leaven. Maybe that has always been the case."
My leaven-free week has actually been very encouraging. It has been mentally, spiritually, physically, even emotionally satisfying. It has reminded me of how every part of who I am is connected to every other part. My physical state touches my mind, spirit and emotions. My will, exercised in successfully passing over leaven, strengthened my will to pass over some of the temptations and attitudes that invade my life. There has been no "down side" to the unleavened week. I am grateful for the Spirit's prompting and my decision to give my will a bit of exercise for the week.
Now I wonder, "what has God hidden in all those other feasts and festivals in His Word." I am wonderfully saved by grace through faith alone. However, it seems the Lord may well bless us for simple observation of things He provided so Israel would not forget the God who delivered them from the hand of Pharaoh. There truly is a depth of riches in the memorials the Lord has given. Perhaps we are missing more than we think as we run from Torah. Maybe next year you too will be prompted to go "unleavened" for a week. In the meantime I am off to find some of that rosemary, olive oil bread.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Trapped By the Truth
We live in a world where truth is relative or even irrelevant. No one really expects a politician to be honest. Used car sales people have had a reputation for shading the truth from the sale of the first used car. Life is filled with "little white lies" and compromise. Even for those who claim to be followers of God honesty and promise keeping has taken a pretty severe hit. Integrity is often hard to find. However, truth is important. Yeshua proclaimed that He was the Truth (John 14:6). He also told us "the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). In contrast, the Master said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin" (John 8:34). No one wants to be a slave. Freedom is far more desirable than servitude. So give me truth so I can be free. The followers of Messiah Jesus are supposed to know real freedom, right? But what of all those places Paul calls himself a "bondslave" as do Peter and James. Where is the freedom in that?
I know that the American idea of freedom, "doing what ever you want", is not the freedom that the Lord spoke of. I am aware that Paul speaks of being free from sin and death. Which, by the way, is a great freedom to cherish. Yet, the truth is, I have studied the scriptures for about fifty-eight years, seeking to know the truth. In the process I often feel more trapped than I have felt in years. In some ways, the more I search for truth more constricted I become. To be completely honest, life was easier when I just accepted what I had been told.
My problem rests with the Bereans. Those folks in Acts 17:11. Luke writes this about them, "these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Search the Scriptures, not the commentaries or by listening to sermons or accepting traditions. Back to the Scriptures. It has been a challenge for me to take a fresh look. It is a greater challenge to consider the culture, the writer, and the audience who first heard the words or read the letter. There is so much personal baggage and accumulated learning that gets in my way. I no longer feel free to just accept what I hear or read. I can no longer listen to radio preachers in blissful ignorance and acceptance. No, now I am trapped with the thought, "Is that really true?". "Maybe the cross is more about conquering death than forgiving sin". "What did Paul mean when he said Christ died for our sins "According to the Scriptures"? The "according to the Scriptures" that I read in Leviticus has little resemblance to the events of the cross. Just how does that fit with what I thought I knew?
Then there is that whole "grafted in" thing. Add to that, Paul tells the Ephesian Gentiles they are no longer "far off" but now "drawn near" and a part of the commonwealth of Israel. I am still not sure what all of that means, but it seems to indicate that I am more Jewish than I thought I was. Now, for me, I am no longer free to eat unclean food. For me, I am no longer free to ignore Yom Kippur. It has become a day of fasting and prayer for the nation. I have been prompted by the Spirit to avoid leaven this week in honor of the feast of unleavened bread. I am honestly not free to eat pizza crust or burger buns this week. I do not think they make matzo burger buns. It has been a remarkable few days. When I think of what I will not eat, I am reminded of all kinds of details of God's deliverance at Passover, of the blood of the lamb on the door posts. Of the blood of the Lamb who delivered me. Leaven, often a symbol of sin, is not to permeate my life as it permeates a donut. I am reminded that I am not free to do anything I want but to keep my life pure. It is true, I am no longer free to just ignore all that God has revealed in what we call the Old Testament.
In addition I am no longer free to ignore the continuity of the Scriptures or the Hebraic nature of the New testament. I am not free to see the Apostle Paul as a "Christian". He was a Torah observant Messianic Jewish Rabbi. Thus, I am not free to see his teaching outside of that reality. That means I am not free to take for granted all that the commentators write about him. I am not free to accept that little editor's note in Acts 9 that speaks of Paul's conversion, for he never converted, he remained a Jew.
For those of us who desire to take the the Word of God seriously, we are trapped in the matrix of Acts 17:11. Just what do the Scriptures say?
On the other hand, I am free to study. To seek the truth without the artificial boundaries of Testaments and editors notes. I am free to commune with YAHWEH on those "Jewish" holy days and find new meaning within His Holy Word. I am free to appreciate the challenges that Paul faced as a Jewish Rabbi proclaiming Messiah to us Gentiles. I am free to know the Person of the Truth who loves me beyond measure and reveals Himself to me through His Word. It seems He does so in new ways with each day of study. I am free to join in the Apostle Paul's doxology,"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His unfathomable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36).
You are free to think I am a little bit crazy. I am free to ask if you want to join me in the company of the Bereans and search to see if these things are so.
Maybe that bond servant thing isn't so restrictive after all. For He is indeed the Truth and the Truth has indeed set me free. He also is offering you such freedom. Want a free ticket to join in the journey? I think they are available in Acts 17:11.
I know that the American idea of freedom, "doing what ever you want", is not the freedom that the Lord spoke of. I am aware that Paul speaks of being free from sin and death. Which, by the way, is a great freedom to cherish. Yet, the truth is, I have studied the scriptures for about fifty-eight years, seeking to know the truth. In the process I often feel more trapped than I have felt in years. In some ways, the more I search for truth more constricted I become. To be completely honest, life was easier when I just accepted what I had been told.
My problem rests with the Bereans. Those folks in Acts 17:11. Luke writes this about them, "these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Search the Scriptures, not the commentaries or by listening to sermons or accepting traditions. Back to the Scriptures. It has been a challenge for me to take a fresh look. It is a greater challenge to consider the culture, the writer, and the audience who first heard the words or read the letter. There is so much personal baggage and accumulated learning that gets in my way. I no longer feel free to just accept what I hear or read. I can no longer listen to radio preachers in blissful ignorance and acceptance. No, now I am trapped with the thought, "Is that really true?". "Maybe the cross is more about conquering death than forgiving sin". "What did Paul mean when he said Christ died for our sins "According to the Scriptures"? The "according to the Scriptures" that I read in Leviticus has little resemblance to the events of the cross. Just how does that fit with what I thought I knew?
Then there is that whole "grafted in" thing. Add to that, Paul tells the Ephesian Gentiles they are no longer "far off" but now "drawn near" and a part of the commonwealth of Israel. I am still not sure what all of that means, but it seems to indicate that I am more Jewish than I thought I was. Now, for me, I am no longer free to eat unclean food. For me, I am no longer free to ignore Yom Kippur. It has become a day of fasting and prayer for the nation. I have been prompted by the Spirit to avoid leaven this week in honor of the feast of unleavened bread. I am honestly not free to eat pizza crust or burger buns this week. I do not think they make matzo burger buns. It has been a remarkable few days. When I think of what I will not eat, I am reminded of all kinds of details of God's deliverance at Passover, of the blood of the lamb on the door posts. Of the blood of the Lamb who delivered me. Leaven, often a symbol of sin, is not to permeate my life as it permeates a donut. I am reminded that I am not free to do anything I want but to keep my life pure. It is true, I am no longer free to just ignore all that God has revealed in what we call the Old Testament.
In addition I am no longer free to ignore the continuity of the Scriptures or the Hebraic nature of the New testament. I am not free to see the Apostle Paul as a "Christian". He was a Torah observant Messianic Jewish Rabbi. Thus, I am not free to see his teaching outside of that reality. That means I am not free to take for granted all that the commentators write about him. I am not free to accept that little editor's note in Acts 9 that speaks of Paul's conversion, for he never converted, he remained a Jew.
For those of us who desire to take the the Word of God seriously, we are trapped in the matrix of Acts 17:11. Just what do the Scriptures say?
On the other hand, I am free to study. To seek the truth without the artificial boundaries of Testaments and editors notes. I am free to commune with YAHWEH on those "Jewish" holy days and find new meaning within His Holy Word. I am free to appreciate the challenges that Paul faced as a Jewish Rabbi proclaiming Messiah to us Gentiles. I am free to know the Person of the Truth who loves me beyond measure and reveals Himself to me through His Word. It seems He does so in new ways with each day of study. I am free to join in the Apostle Paul's doxology,"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His unfathomable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36).
You are free to think I am a little bit crazy. I am free to ask if you want to join me in the company of the Bereans and search to see if these things are so.
Maybe that bond servant thing isn't so restrictive after all. For He is indeed the Truth and the Truth has indeed set me free. He also is offering you such freedom. Want a free ticket to join in the journey? I think they are available in Acts 17:11.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
A Fresh Look at the New Commandment
As Yeshua taught His disciples, He gave them instructions and directions as to how they should live. He brought light and understanding to Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. The Old Testament. However, there is only one time when it is recorded that He was giving them a brand new commandment. The Apostle John records it for us. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34). A new commandment to love? Aren't we instructed to love God with all of our hearts five times in Deuteronomy and again in Joshua (Deut. 6:5, 10:12, 11:13, 13:3, 30:6 & Josh. 22:5). Matthew records this as the primary, all encompassing command and adds Lev. 19:18, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD" as the second part of the commandment. Isn't it pretty clear that God has commanded us to love Him and others? This command is indeed different. It might be that we have overlooked the addition of a few words. It may also be that this new commandment has a greater impact on loving God than we ever realized.
The simple phrase, "as I have loved you" is what makes this a new commandment. After three years of following Messiah, the disciples had seen first hand what it was to really love. There was contact with the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:20), the ten lepers (Luke 17:12), the demon-possessed man in the tombs at Gerasenes (Mark 5:15). All people to be avoided. All people who were unclean. All people who needed God's love. And let us not forget that woman at the well in Samaria. The list goes on and on. Messiah went to, and demonstrated love and compassion to, the most unlikely folks you could meet. God's love on display wrapped in human flesh. The command had always been there; the flesh and blood, living illustration, had not. Now if we ever have a question what it means to love our neighbor or one another, all we have to do is look to the Gospel records and see how Messiah loved. We now know how to love one another.
I believe there is more here than we might first recognize. It goes with the command to love God which encompasses loving my neighbor. There is some amazing truth in 1 John 4:20, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" John suggests that to comprehend how to love God I must first love my brother. It is easy to say we love the invisible, physically intangible God because it costs us nothing. The way I know how to love and to sacrifice for God is to, well, practice on humans. We actually learn how to be loving toward God by being loving toward one another first. Maybe we have had the "Loving God" thing a little backwards. To truly show our love for God we must demonstrate that love to His creation, meaning our brothers and sisters who share this planet.
Many of us have felt the warmth and tenderness that comes from our spouse or a close friend. We may likewise have had a similar experience from the Spirit of God. We understand that warmth and love in Him we cannot see by sharing that experience with those we can see. The ones we call our "loved ones". It really is vital to develop loving relationships with people in order to understand the love we share with the Lord. I know we need to keep God first and to love Him with all of our hearts but maybe the expression of that love for Him is wrapped up in the compassion and tenderness we show to "the least of these".
This new commandment that Jesus spoke of is one that has remarkable ramifications. It is tied to the example He lived out for us. To love one another is actually to know how to love God. Learning to love Him is woven into my love for people. For those irritating, demanding, flesh and blood beings that surround me. For if I do not learn to love them, I do not learn to love God either. I may say I do; however, the reality of life around me will expose what I really know of loving God.
Something to consider next time the overwhelmed Hassidic mom is in front of you at Walmart and wants to argue the price over every other toddler outfit in her cart. Ahh, so this is how I love God.
The simple phrase, "as I have loved you" is what makes this a new commandment. After three years of following Messiah, the disciples had seen first hand what it was to really love. There was contact with the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:20), the ten lepers (Luke 17:12), the demon-possessed man in the tombs at Gerasenes (Mark 5:15). All people to be avoided. All people who were unclean. All people who needed God's love. And let us not forget that woman at the well in Samaria. The list goes on and on. Messiah went to, and demonstrated love and compassion to, the most unlikely folks you could meet. God's love on display wrapped in human flesh. The command had always been there; the flesh and blood, living illustration, had not. Now if we ever have a question what it means to love our neighbor or one another, all we have to do is look to the Gospel records and see how Messiah loved. We now know how to love one another.
I believe there is more here than we might first recognize. It goes with the command to love God which encompasses loving my neighbor. There is some amazing truth in 1 John 4:20, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" John suggests that to comprehend how to love God I must first love my brother. It is easy to say we love the invisible, physically intangible God because it costs us nothing. The way I know how to love and to sacrifice for God is to, well, practice on humans. We actually learn how to be loving toward God by being loving toward one another first. Maybe we have had the "Loving God" thing a little backwards. To truly show our love for God we must demonstrate that love to His creation, meaning our brothers and sisters who share this planet.
Many of us have felt the warmth and tenderness that comes from our spouse or a close friend. We may likewise have had a similar experience from the Spirit of God. We understand that warmth and love in Him we cannot see by sharing that experience with those we can see. The ones we call our "loved ones". It really is vital to develop loving relationships with people in order to understand the love we share with the Lord. I know we need to keep God first and to love Him with all of our hearts but maybe the expression of that love for Him is wrapped up in the compassion and tenderness we show to "the least of these".
This new commandment that Jesus spoke of is one that has remarkable ramifications. It is tied to the example He lived out for us. To love one another is actually to know how to love God. Learning to love Him is woven into my love for people. For those irritating, demanding, flesh and blood beings that surround me. For if I do not learn to love them, I do not learn to love God either. I may say I do; however, the reality of life around me will expose what I really know of loving God.
Something to consider next time the overwhelmed Hassidic mom is in front of you at Walmart and wants to argue the price over every other toddler outfit in her cart. Ahh, so this is how I love God.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Is God Really Supposed to Be Your Top Priority? Maybe Not.
Have you ever been asked what is the most important thing in your life? Not a new question. In fact, Matthew tells us of a man who pretty much had that question, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" (Matthew 22:36). With our overwhelming schedules it would be helpful to know this, which is the great commandment. At least that way we could get the primary, the most important thing done. We do like to know what the important thing is, even though we tend to lose sight of whatever it is as we drown in the minutia of life. We are told to not let the cry of the urgent cloud what is important. So, back to the question, what is the most important thing in your life? Is it your spouse? Children? Work? Investments? Friends? Well, if you want to be spiritual you might respond with, God or Jesus. That is the real answer. Right? How shocked would you be to learn that that might not be the answer after all.
The Master's response to the question in Matthew 22:37-38 seems pretty straight forward, "Jesus said unto him, You shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.This is the first and great commandment." First priority is to love God with all you have. However, there my be more here that we first see. The man asks, "What is the great commandment" Great, the Greek, megas, meaning largest, most encompassing, that of rank or importance. The biggest commandment of God could mean that of importance or how much it includes. The Master, Yeshua, responds explaining "the first and great". Loving God is the first, protos, meaning primary or in a position of honor and megas largest, this is the primary and most encompassing commandment. However the Master is not yet finished with the answer.
The Master's response to the question in Matthew 22:37-38 seems pretty straight forward, "Jesus said unto him, You shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.This is the first and great commandment." First priority is to love God with all you have. However, there my be more here that we first see. The man asks, "What is the great commandment" Great, the Greek, megas, meaning largest, most encompassing, that of rank or importance. The biggest commandment of God could mean that of importance or how much it includes. The Master, Yeshua, responds explaining "the first and great". Loving God is the first, protos, meaning primary or in a position of honor and megas largest, this is the primary and most encompassing commandment. However the Master is not yet finished with the answer.
“And second, like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). This seems clear as well. Number one commandment is love God. Number two commandment is love your neighbor. Or is it? The word second, the Greek deuteros, does mean second but it also means the other of two. Yeshua says it is "like" the Greek, homoios, meaning similar or corresponding to. Possibly the second matching part of the command to "love God" is the corresponding "love your neighbor". Is the first commandment so large and encompassing it includes the second rather than being in some sort of divine pecking order? Oh the joy of being an American and steeped in Western, Greek thought and culture.
John explains in 1 John 4:20,"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" You see, commandment number one is intimately connected to commandment number two.You honestly cannot separate them. Hebraic thought, the way the Master, Jesus, thought, sees life and thought fully integrated. As did those other Hebrew writers like Moses, David, Isaiah, Matthew, John, Paul and Peter. Those of us who are immersed in American/Western thought and culture like to compartmentalizes everything. We compartmentalize the LORD who is One into Father, Son and Spirit who have some distinctions but are far more an integrated One than a separated trinity. We do the same with ourselves, separating body, soul and spirit more that we see our beings as integrated. Take a minute and consider this. Yeshua, Jesus, told us to fast, meaning to not eat for a time, not to live life in overdrive. So does fasting affect your physical being or your spiritual being? Does it involve the soul, as in your mind, will and emotions or just your physical person? Oh, it touches all aspects of who you are? Almost, like God designed you to be an integrated being where every aspect of who you are touches every other aspect. Hmmmm. I wonder if this is true in other areas of life?
I do not mean to cause you greater angst in your life but the artificial divisions we practice can wreak havoc with who God intends you to be. There is no spiritual and temporal you, just you. Our life's priorities are an illusion of Western thought. Everything you do and think has an impact on every other area of your life. God did not design you to be bits and pieces of a human machine with interchangeable parts. You cannot have loving God as a priority if you do not have loving your neighbor as a priority. The job you choose to take, the place you choose to live, even the assembly of believers you may choose to fellowship with will impact every aspect of your life. For your body and soul and spirit cannot be itemized and boxed separately. Choices have consequences in every aspect of every part of the thing you call life.
Let's conclude as the Master did back in Matthew 22:40, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” On these two corresponding, all encompassing, similar commandments, "hang", the Greek kremannymi, meaning to hang from, connect to, or summed up by. So all the teaching and instructions of God are connected. Does this mean to "love God" encompasses all of this? Well, the Master, Jesus did say, “If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). What is the great commandment? Perhaps it is to have an integrated life integrated into Messiah and the Father by the power of the Spirit where the artificial boarders of my life are melted into His. Not an easy way to prioritize your life list but perhaps it is the way He intends us to live. Give it some thought or maybe you can add it to your list.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
We Owe Peter an Apology or There Is No Tonight
As we look to the Gospel accounts we may well succumb to a bit of a critical attitude toward the disciples. We could justify this as we might have noticed that the Lord had His moments of frustration with them as well. Mark 9:19, "And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long
shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” or Matt. 8:26, "But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." And let us not forget Matt. 16:23, "But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Yeshua had His moments when He was less than complimentary to Peter and the twelve.
However, I do not think that we can be excused for our critical attitudes toward these early followers of Messiah. We have just honored the death and resurrection of our Lord. Many have heard messages concerning the Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper and Resurrection Sunday. In all of them we could point out the disbelief and cowardice of Yeshua's disciples. We could take note of their inability to grasp the clear teaching of their Lord and Rabbi who told them repeatedly of the plan to defeat death. This is clear in Mark 9:31-32, "For He taught His disciples
and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the
third day. But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him." How could they miss such an obvious teaching?
It would help if we were Jews living in Palestine about 2000 years ago. The Jews were anticipating Messiah's arrival. They wanted a deliverer. Rome was oppressive and they had not known true freedom for generations. They saw the promises in Isaiah 9:7, a descendant of David whose kingdom would never end, or perhaps Psalm 110:1 where He would sit at God's right hand with His enemies at His feet. But few would have thought of Psalm 22 or Isaiah 53 as their idea of a coming redeemer and deliverer. So it should not be a surprise when Yeshua begins healing, preaching good news to the poor and setting the demonic captives free (Isaiah 61:1) that the disciples and the crowds saw Him as the coming Messiah. With this in mind the message of death and resurrection would have sailed over their heads. They already knew that Messiah was to deliver them and establish His kingdom so they didn't understand this teaching that was in full opposition to what they had held as the promise for so many years.
I heard a message last week on the Last Supper. The speaker said he could not believe how stupid the disciples were as they ate with Jesus. How much clearer could you get concerning Judas and his betrayal. "The one who dips in the bowl and I give him the bread will betray me. Then Judas leaves as Jesus says , "It is you, what you do go and do quickly." The rest of the group is still clueless and think Judas is doing a convenience store run or giving money to the poor. How could they be so dense? The application was that people are still just as dense today and they, like Peter, just cannot see the obvious.
Let's review a few facts that might help explain things. First, as I already stated, no one was thinking death and resurrection. Everyone was thinking Kingdom, as in, "Is now the time you will restore the Kingdom?" Second, they are just a few days from the entry into Jerusalem. Remember those shouts of, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord", and "Hosanna to the Son of David". It is true that Messiah spoke of his death just before they got to Jerusalem but doesn't this change things? Hey the whole city is behind us. Third, no one suspected Judas. He had never ever given any indication that he was not on board. That is why they each wonder if they are the one who will betray (See Mark 14 or one of the other Gospel accounts for the details). Fourth, It is Peter who asks John to ask Jesus who is the guilty party. Jesus tells them but it is not an announcement to the whole group. Fifth, betray can be to turn over but it also carries the idea of verbal betrayal not necessarily physical betrayal. It can be more like denial. The disciples had seen this before in John 6:66-67. Many disciples deserted Messiah and He asks if the twelve will desert as well. Sixth, Jesus had just washed Judas' feet, as He had the rest. so why would they suspect him of any treachery? Finally, Yeshua, Jesus never says "Tonight he shall betray me". He only says betrayal is coming. How would they know when? Why would they think it would be this night? This is Passover night. This is just before the feast of unleavened bread. This is just after the Triumphal Entry. This is a time of celebration with the masses on Jesus' side. Those opposing Jesus would be fools to come after Him at a time like this. If there is going to be an attempt on the Master's life it will be when the crowds are not there to defend him . Yet, it is obvious that Judas has left. Where did Judas go? He must have gone to get food or to bless the poor on this Passover night. After all he did have charge of the finances.
In spite of the teaching and warnings of Messiah it is really not a surprise that the disciples missed the message concerning His impending death. If we are true to the text we should be neither surprised or critical of their lack of understanding. I dare say we would had been just as "stupid" and "dense" if we had been at the table. Maybe we need to cut Peter and the rest a little slack. Maybe some of preachers and teachers owe Peter an apology? Check the text. There is no "tonight" when the Lord speaks of betrayal. So how could they know when betrayal is coming? How would they have known it was Judas? They didn't even know if they themselves were the betrayer. I think it is time to be a bit more forgiving of the twelve. If I am honest with myself I am probably at least as dense and slow witted as any of them. How about you?
I heard a message last week on the Last Supper. The speaker said he could not believe how stupid the disciples were as they ate with Jesus. How much clearer could you get concerning Judas and his betrayal. "The one who dips in the bowl and I give him the bread will betray me. Then Judas leaves as Jesus says , "It is you, what you do go and do quickly." The rest of the group is still clueless and think Judas is doing a convenience store run or giving money to the poor. How could they be so dense? The application was that people are still just as dense today and they, like Peter, just cannot see the obvious.
Let's review a few facts that might help explain things. First, as I already stated, no one was thinking death and resurrection. Everyone was thinking Kingdom, as in, "Is now the time you will restore the Kingdom?" Second, they are just a few days from the entry into Jerusalem. Remember those shouts of, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord", and "Hosanna to the Son of David". It is true that Messiah spoke of his death just before they got to Jerusalem but doesn't this change things? Hey the whole city is behind us. Third, no one suspected Judas. He had never ever given any indication that he was not on board. That is why they each wonder if they are the one who will betray (See Mark 14 or one of the other Gospel accounts for the details). Fourth, It is Peter who asks John to ask Jesus who is the guilty party. Jesus tells them but it is not an announcement to the whole group. Fifth, betray can be to turn over but it also carries the idea of verbal betrayal not necessarily physical betrayal. It can be more like denial. The disciples had seen this before in John 6:66-67. Many disciples deserted Messiah and He asks if the twelve will desert as well. Sixth, Jesus had just washed Judas' feet, as He had the rest. so why would they suspect him of any treachery? Finally, Yeshua, Jesus never says "Tonight he shall betray me". He only says betrayal is coming. How would they know when? Why would they think it would be this night? This is Passover night. This is just before the feast of unleavened bread. This is just after the Triumphal Entry. This is a time of celebration with the masses on Jesus' side. Those opposing Jesus would be fools to come after Him at a time like this. If there is going to be an attempt on the Master's life it will be when the crowds are not there to defend him . Yet, it is obvious that Judas has left. Where did Judas go? He must have gone to get food or to bless the poor on this Passover night. After all he did have charge of the finances.
In spite of the teaching and warnings of Messiah it is really not a surprise that the disciples missed the message concerning His impending death. If we are true to the text we should be neither surprised or critical of their lack of understanding. I dare say we would had been just as "stupid" and "dense" if we had been at the table. Maybe we need to cut Peter and the rest a little slack. Maybe some of preachers and teachers owe Peter an apology? Check the text. There is no "tonight" when the Lord speaks of betrayal. So how could they know when betrayal is coming? How would they have known it was Judas? They didn't even know if they themselves were the betrayer. I think it is time to be a bit more forgiving of the twelve. If I am honest with myself I am probably at least as dense and slow witted as any of them. How about you?
Saturday, March 19, 2016
The Bible Does Not Say Jesus Rose On The First Day Of The Week
Have you ever heard that Jesus rose on the first day of the week? It is a common held belief. Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not say He rose on the first day of the week? I know if you look at Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1 and John 20:1, where each carry the account of our Lord's resurrection, that this is what is written in virtually every translation. However, it is not what the Greek says. This also holds true for Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2. The truth is that the phrase "first day of the week" never appears in the New Testament. So why do we find it in all these passages? It is called translation bias. What to know what the text really says? Then read the next paragraph or two.
In all of these instances the Greek text actually says, "eis mian sabbaton" (A transliteration from the Greek), literally translated, "one to or toward Sabbath". For the Hebrews there is one significant day each week. It is the day YAHWEH set aside and declared holy in Genesis 2:3. It is the seventh day, or the Sabbath. Every other day was lived in expectation of Sabbath. Thus, from a Jewish perspective, days were "one toward Sabbath, two toward Sabbath, three toward Sabbath ... Six toward Sabbath and finally Sabbath." Virtually all English translations hide this Hebraic perspective. The intentional mistranslation is rationalized by calling it an equivalent translation. Everyone knows the day "one toward Sabbath" is also the first day of the week. So for English this is the equivalent of the Greek, thus close enough for most translators. This may seem incidental. After all, they both mean the same thing so we haven't really lost anything, have we? Besides, it is an easier read in English. This way we do not even have to think. We do not have to recognize the Hebraic nature of the New Testament.
However, there is more to consider. If the phrase throughout the New Testament is "one toward Sabbath", which is undeniably Hebrew in its origin, then something else holds true as well. The Hebraic understanding of time also comes into play. The day for a Jew begins at sundown and ends at sundown. Following the Genesis account of "evening and morning day one, evening and morning day two, etc." Therefore the Lord rose from the dead any time after sundown on our Saturday night. The women waited until after Sabbath, sundown on our Saturday, to prepare the spices and headed for the tomb while it was still dark. Perhaps our Western/American perspective has skewed our understanding a bit. Maybe we could have a Saturday night worship time celebrating Messiah's resurrection instead of a sunrise service. Or maybe not. One doesn't want to mess with tradition. Messiah could have waited twelve hours to to rise from the dead. Anyway, we know it was getting light, one toward Sabbath, when the women found the empty tomb. I really am fine with the traditional sunrise celebration.
The "equivalent" translation of "first day of the week" has little bearing as to the timing of the resurrection. No matter what the clock in your house says, Yeshua rose after sundown Saturday and before sundown on Sunday so we are clearly in the right ballpark. The real problem with this "equivalent" translation is the damage it does outside of the Gospel accounts. It leads to misinterpretation, some poor preaching and false support for an end to Sabbath observance. This error is most pronounced in the account found in Acts 20.
I suggest you take a moment and read Acts 20:7-11 but, if you do not have time, here are the high points. On the first day of the week, actually on one toward Sabbath, Paul breaks bread with the disciples and then preaches all the way to midnight. It is warm from all the lanterns. Eutychus falls asleep and drops from a window and appears to be dead. Paul revives him, has something to eat, preaches some more and at daybreak he departs. I have heard many a sermon about Paul preaching for fourteen hours and then another six "And you thought my sermons were long" says the preacher. Because we all know every "church" meets at 10:00 on Sunday morning and Paul preached until Monday morning. Thus, it may be one of the worlds longest sermons.
Let us return this account to the culture and Hebraic context it was written in. It is the seventh day, the Sabbath, our Saturday, and Paul and the disciples have been at the synagogue, as was Paul's custom throughout Acts. At sundown, the beginning of one toward Sabbath, our Saturday night, Paul and the disciples gather for the breaking of bread. Perhaps a meal and the memorial we call communion. It is around eight or nine on our Saturday night. Paul preaches three hours or so, it is now midnight, and Eutychus takes his tumble. Paul revives him, eats and teaches a while longer. He then leaves early on our Sunday morning. Actually, the whole account is more reasonable when we put things in a Hebraic context. It also discounts the "evidence" that this points to the "church" beginning to meet on Sundays, replacing the Sabbath day with "first day" worship.
Refusing to acknowledge that the text clearly points to the Hebraic understanding of time distorts the account. This is also true with the offering gathered "one toward Sabbath" in 1 Cor. 16:2. Following their time at the synagogue, as the sun went down and one toward Sabbath or the first day of the week began, Paul says, "Before you go home for the night remember to gather the offering for the suffering saints in Jerusalem." This is used as well as evidence for an end to Sabbath and the beginning of Sunday worship. It simply does not exist in the text or the New Testament.
Just as an end note. Sunday worship began under the rule of Constantine who was antisemitic and worked to complete the divide between the "church" and Judaism. Until this time the Messianic believers were, for the most part, viewed as a sect of Judaism. Also, everyone in the Roman Empire worked on Sunday. The only day recognized as a day of rest was the seventh day or the Sabbath due to the influence of the Jews scattered throughout the empire. Sunday worship never replaces the Sabbath in the New Testament. However, I believe any day is a great day to praise and worship so do not think I believe Sunday worship is a bad thing.
I hope you enjoy your Resurrection Celebration. When we remember that Yeshua, our Messiah, rose one toward Sabbath and conquered the grave. We are set free from the curse of death and have life everlasting in Him. He is risen indeed!
In all of these instances the Greek text actually says, "eis mian sabbaton" (A transliteration from the Greek), literally translated, "one to or toward Sabbath". For the Hebrews there is one significant day each week. It is the day YAHWEH set aside and declared holy in Genesis 2:3. It is the seventh day, or the Sabbath. Every other day was lived in expectation of Sabbath. Thus, from a Jewish perspective, days were "one toward Sabbath, two toward Sabbath, three toward Sabbath ... Six toward Sabbath and finally Sabbath." Virtually all English translations hide this Hebraic perspective. The intentional mistranslation is rationalized by calling it an equivalent translation. Everyone knows the day "one toward Sabbath" is also the first day of the week. So for English this is the equivalent of the Greek, thus close enough for most translators. This may seem incidental. After all, they both mean the same thing so we haven't really lost anything, have we? Besides, it is an easier read in English. This way we do not even have to think. We do not have to recognize the Hebraic nature of the New Testament.
However, there is more to consider. If the phrase throughout the New Testament is "one toward Sabbath", which is undeniably Hebrew in its origin, then something else holds true as well. The Hebraic understanding of time also comes into play. The day for a Jew begins at sundown and ends at sundown. Following the Genesis account of "evening and morning day one, evening and morning day two, etc." Therefore the Lord rose from the dead any time after sundown on our Saturday night. The women waited until after Sabbath, sundown on our Saturday, to prepare the spices and headed for the tomb while it was still dark. Perhaps our Western/American perspective has skewed our understanding a bit. Maybe we could have a Saturday night worship time celebrating Messiah's resurrection instead of a sunrise service. Or maybe not. One doesn't want to mess with tradition. Messiah could have waited twelve hours to to rise from the dead. Anyway, we know it was getting light, one toward Sabbath, when the women found the empty tomb. I really am fine with the traditional sunrise celebration.
The "equivalent" translation of "first day of the week" has little bearing as to the timing of the resurrection. No matter what the clock in your house says, Yeshua rose after sundown Saturday and before sundown on Sunday so we are clearly in the right ballpark. The real problem with this "equivalent" translation is the damage it does outside of the Gospel accounts. It leads to misinterpretation, some poor preaching and false support for an end to Sabbath observance. This error is most pronounced in the account found in Acts 20.
I suggest you take a moment and read Acts 20:7-11 but, if you do not have time, here are the high points. On the first day of the week, actually on one toward Sabbath, Paul breaks bread with the disciples and then preaches all the way to midnight. It is warm from all the lanterns. Eutychus falls asleep and drops from a window and appears to be dead. Paul revives him, has something to eat, preaches some more and at daybreak he departs. I have heard many a sermon about Paul preaching for fourteen hours and then another six "And you thought my sermons were long" says the preacher. Because we all know every "church" meets at 10:00 on Sunday morning and Paul preached until Monday morning. Thus, it may be one of the worlds longest sermons.
Let us return this account to the culture and Hebraic context it was written in. It is the seventh day, the Sabbath, our Saturday, and Paul and the disciples have been at the synagogue, as was Paul's custom throughout Acts. At sundown, the beginning of one toward Sabbath, our Saturday night, Paul and the disciples gather for the breaking of bread. Perhaps a meal and the memorial we call communion. It is around eight or nine on our Saturday night. Paul preaches three hours or so, it is now midnight, and Eutychus takes his tumble. Paul revives him, eats and teaches a while longer. He then leaves early on our Sunday morning. Actually, the whole account is more reasonable when we put things in a Hebraic context. It also discounts the "evidence" that this points to the "church" beginning to meet on Sundays, replacing the Sabbath day with "first day" worship.
Refusing to acknowledge that the text clearly points to the Hebraic understanding of time distorts the account. This is also true with the offering gathered "one toward Sabbath" in 1 Cor. 16:2. Following their time at the synagogue, as the sun went down and one toward Sabbath or the first day of the week began, Paul says, "Before you go home for the night remember to gather the offering for the suffering saints in Jerusalem." This is used as well as evidence for an end to Sabbath and the beginning of Sunday worship. It simply does not exist in the text or the New Testament.
Just as an end note. Sunday worship began under the rule of Constantine who was antisemitic and worked to complete the divide between the "church" and Judaism. Until this time the Messianic believers were, for the most part, viewed as a sect of Judaism. Also, everyone in the Roman Empire worked on Sunday. The only day recognized as a day of rest was the seventh day or the Sabbath due to the influence of the Jews scattered throughout the empire. Sunday worship never replaces the Sabbath in the New Testament. However, I believe any day is a great day to praise and worship so do not think I believe Sunday worship is a bad thing.
I hope you enjoy your Resurrection Celebration. When we remember that Yeshua, our Messiah, rose one toward Sabbath and conquered the grave. We are set free from the curse of death and have life everlasting in Him. He is risen indeed!
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