The Call to Be Ambassadors for Messiah

Ambassador –
* a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.
* a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
Plenipotentiary –
* a person, especially a diplomatic agent, invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.

The above definitions are taken from Dictionary.com. They represent what the role of an Ambassador is while serving in a foreign land. They do not live in the land permanently. They still hold to the principles of the land that they represent. They can engage in particular aspects of the hosting nation. However, they must hold true to the convictions of the sending nation. Ambassador’s take their instruction from the King or the Governments that they represent. Although, they are individually themselves. They have distinct characteristics, mannerisms, and linguistic styling. Yet, they conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the office, presenting a unified message.

The Ambassador is there on a diplomatic mission, in some cases to restore relations or in others to negotiate treaties. They come with full authority and in place of the sending King or Government. This allows them to conduct business with confidence. The Ambassador also knows that their mission is temporary. That they are not a citizen of the host country but simply passing through. This reminder keeps them balanced and helps them to remember where their allegiance lies.

In 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 we read this:
“All this is from Elohim. Who reconciled us to Himself through Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That Elohim was reconciling the world to Himself in Messiah, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though Elohim were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Messiah: Be reconciled to Elohim. Elohim made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. So that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”

It is simply foolishness, naive even, to think that Elohim would make Yahoshua, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that He could enable us to live a life of sin. No, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. John writes, “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar! The truth is not in him. However, whoever keeps His Word, in him is the love of Elohim perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in Him. Moreover, whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” Later John writes, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices Torahlessness, sin is Torahlessness. You know that He appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him.” (1 John 2:3-6 & 3:4-6)

How can we say that we represent the King, if we don’t do as He says?
How can we say that we represent the Kingdom, if we do not practice its laws?
How can we say that we have become the righteousness of Elohim, if we won’t even follow the instructions of righteousness?

As an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven, we live where we live as representatives of the King of Heaven. One day that Kingdom will be here on earth. When Yahoshua our Adonai and King returns in the clouds to rule in Jerusalem. Until then the Kingdom is within us and we as representatives of the King must live as such. We follow the laws of the land because we live in the land. We answer to a higher authority who has instructed as such. We speak truth in love in hopes of reconciling others through Messiah unto Elohim. This gospel message is one of repentance. A turning from the former way of living and following the instruction of the Rabbi.

How can we say that we represent the King? We claim the name of Messiah Yahoshua and His lifestyle. How did He live? “We live not by bread alone, but by every WORD of Elohim.” What word was Yahoshua referring to? His Instruction handed down by the Prophets, those written by Moses, those breathed by Elohim. Did Yahoshua eat meat considered unclean? No, not by definition of Torah. Did Yahoshua break the Sabbath Day or change it? No, not by definition of Torah. Did Yahoshua dismiss the Feast Days? No, not by definition of Torah. Did His death and resurrection somehow negate these things? No, not by definition of Torah, or the teachings of Paul and the other Apostles.

How can we say that we represent the Kingdom? “Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” The Sabbath will be observed in the millennium and Heaven. The dietary law will be observed in the millennium and Heaven. The Feast Days will be observed in the millennium and Heaven. If we are asking for His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as in Heaven . . . How can we say this and not do what we know we can do? To follow the Sabbath isn’t too hard or difficult. To follow dietary law isn’t too hard or difficult. To observe the Feast Days isn’t too hard or difficult. To honor Elohim is NOT TOO HARD or DIFFICULT. It is absurd to think that it is too difficult to keep the Sabbath but pretend to keep Sunday. It is absurd to think that it is too difficult to keep the Feast Days. Yet, people celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s, Saint Patrick’s, Fourth of July, Veterans, Memorial, Super Bowl, etc., without hesitation.

How can we say that we have become the righteousness of Elohim? We can say this when we repent and follow Yahoshua. What does it mean to repent? To turn from sin. Literally that is what it means. Not just to be sorry that we are sinning but to do a one-eighty. We repent, we ask for forgiveness, we put on the new self. We enter into covenant relationship. The new covenant is the old covenant but written on our hearts. We can read this in Jeremiah and Hebrews. The difference is simply that now we have the Living Spirit of Elohim. The Ruach Hakodesh (רוח הקודש) empowers us to do so. By this we put on Messiah Yahoshua. His Name, His lifestyle, His Word, His Truth.

If you are a follower of Yahoshua you are an AMBASSADOR! LIVE AS ONE! You are a representative of the KING of kings and the MASTER of masters. He has called you to bare His Name. You are to show His lifestyle. Extend the message of reconciliation to all who will listen. Part of this includes living within the culture yet separate from it at the same time. We are to live set apart, while living among the inhabitants of the community we live. We don’t demand others change. We live in such a way that others see Messiah in us. This stirs a want for change. We live as examples of the Way.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Seek first the Kingdom

We often quote this Scripture passage. It says, “Seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His Righteousness. As a result, all these things shall be added to you.” “All these things,” refers to items necessary for living, like food, water, and clothing. Over time, many verbal additions have been made to its meaning. Not all of these additions fit the context of the verse. But that isn’t what i want to focus on, rather, what are we to seek. In Adonai’s prayer we are taught to pray, “Our Father in Heaven, Holy is Your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven.” We will pray together this prayer in our gatherings and think that what we want is the Father’s Will. However, we have thrown out the Fathers Will and replaced it with man’s tradition.

Look at what is happening with immigration now. Not just in our country but around the world. One of the biggest complaints is that these immigrants are not entering through legal means. Once they are in, they do not assimilate into the culture. Instead, they demand that their own culture be recognized. Do you think Elohim views humanity this way? Can we find instances where we have entered the Kingdom illegally? Are we now demanding that our traditions take precedence over the Kings? We are told to die to ourselves. That we are to put on the new man, and to walk in the fruit of the spirit. Yes, we are individuals but we are to lay down our understanding and pick up the cause of Messiah.

Yahoshua says, “I am the door, no one enters but through Me.” He says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John says of Yahoshua, “And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us.” Yahoshua declares, “If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, for Moses wrote about Me.” Yahoshua, is found in the Torah. He is essentially the Torah made flesh as John describes Him. Yet in vain we worship Him with our traditions. In vain we come to Him seeking our will. In vain we come to Him demanding He change with our culture.

Let’s take a look at this parable spoken by Yahoshua, found here in Matthew 22:1-14. i will be breaking it up to add my own commentary.

Beginning:
“Once again, Yahoshua spoke to them in parables. “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.‘ But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.”

This is what the Israelite’s have done to the prophets of Elohim throughout time. This is what is recorded in the Tanakh. Over and over again the Hebrew nation ignored the prophets and in many instances had them killed. They tried to worship Elohim in the traditions of man, in the traditions of the people around them. Even though they were given the precise instructions, which is what Torah means, instruction. Rather, they picked up and added to His instructions until what was happening was not at all what Elohim desired. For example, here is Jeremiah 7:17-19. “Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. But am I the One they are provoking? declares Yahweh. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?”

Continuing:
“The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ 

Yahoshua comes and is rejected by the people He came to restore. So the remnant who believed were sent out like the kings servants. They were sent to preach the Gospel to the nations. This is the gentiles who have entered into the wedding banquet. He invites both the evil and the good. Although it isn’t mentioned specifically, we can understand that those who were invited wore the appropriate attire. They put on the new self. As we read in Ephesians 4:20-24. “But this is not the way you came to know Messiah. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Yahoshua. To put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. To be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self. Which is created to be like Elohim in true righteousness and holiness.” The clothes in the parable taught by Yahoshua, is a lifestyle. When the servants went out to the people to invite them to the banquet. The people who accepted the invitation had to assimilate into the culture of the wedding banquet. They had to put on new clothes, take off the old self and put on the new.

Continuing:
“But the man was speechless.”

There is a point when Yahoshua will separate the sheep from the goats. Another parable talks about the wheat and the tares. They look the same until the wheat is fully ripened and then you can tell the difference. The wheat puts on the fullness of its expression and bows. In the parable of the wedding banquet the man is speechless when approached by the king. Many are going to be surprised on the day the King returns because they haven’t put on the new self. They haven’t assimilated into the culture of the Kingdom. They are attempting to live duel lives. They look like wheat but they are tares. How can you know you aren’t a tare? Are you living by the principal, “Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be done.” Are you, “Seeking first the Kingdom of Elohim and His Righteousness?”

Continuing:
Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The conclusion of this passage is a warning. Some believe they are participating in the banquet. However, they have not assimilated themselves into the culture of the Kingdom. They haven’t embraced the new self. Instead, they believe that a simple acknowledgment of Yahoshua as King is enough for salvation. They think they can live as they want because of grace. This is due to incorrect word definitions or translations and poor teaching and instruction.

There is a word at the end of this passage, chosen, so wonderful it has become a show title. We can look at the world and history and see that Elohim has chosen people. We can look at Noah who found favor and was chosen to build an Ark. We can look at Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the birth of Israel. We can look at the Prophets and we can look at the Disciples. These stories of the chosen people of Elohim. The word here in Greek is ἐκλεκτός it means picked out, selected, chosen. However, the root of this word is ἐκλέγομαι and it is reflective of response. This is reflected in the passage above, “many are called.” This implies the choosing. Nevertheless, “but few are chosen,” is more reflective of the response, to respond to being chosen. ἐκλέγομαι or eklegomai is a verb it is the action and or outcome of the thing. In the verse we are the thing, the many that are chosen. The verb indicates both to be chosen and to choose. We are called, as even Judas was called, chosen. He didn’t respond with choosing to accept the fullness of the calling. In John 6:66 we read of a mass desertion. Many of Yahoshua’s Disciples left Him that day. He then asks the Twelve, “Are you going to leave also?” Their choice? “Where would we go for you have the Words of Eternal Life.” In light of the fullness of Scripture, we understand that this word for Chosen is two sided. It requires action and response. “For Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life.” Many are called, few choose to accept. This is the message lost in translation.

Countless times we are warned that many believe they are saved and are not. “Many will say to Me; Adonai, Adonai, haven’t we done many wonders in Your Name?’ And I will say to them, ‘Depart from Me you who practice Torahlessness.'” How do we know that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life? First, look in the mirror. Which clothing do you have on? That of the culture of man or the culture of the Kingdom? Are you arrayed in your own belief or are you immersed in the instruction of Yahoshua? Are you adorned in self-righteousness or are you baptized into the Righteousness of Messiah Yahoshua? Do you look like The Rabbi? Have you chosen to accept your calling?

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Shema – שְׁמַע

A former student of mine trains and shows dogs. i don’t know exactly what they do or how they train them since i only follow their socials now. Still, it is easy to see that when they speak, the dog listens and responds with action. The dogs they train are what we would call, a “good boy.” Have you ever watched the puppy bowl? It is usually on during the Super Bowl. It is essentially a dog show. Where well trained dogs show off not only their well groomed fur but also their strut. Then of course there are the dogs who run obstacles. Those dogs are well trained too. Both listen to cues which can be whistles, clicks, or words. They hear them, then they listen and they obey.

Now our family dogs aren’t always as easily trained, they are kinda like us. Although, there are some great ones out there. Throughout the years, i have had a few dogs. my dog now, Shiloh, is by far the smartest. He is also the most obedient. He responds to my weak attempt at whistling. Or the click i make with my tongue and the roof of my mouth. He also responds to my words. We have developed a routine also. He moves about based on that routine which makes it easier to signal to him. His response each time is, almost always, immediate.

This brings me to the word “Shema.” When someone says, “Shema” today it is typically in reference to the Hebrew prayer. Found in Deuteronomy 6:4 and quoted by Yahoshua when asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” The reason for the name of the prayer is simple, it is the first word of the prayer. In the ESV it reads; “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” In its broader use it also includes verse 5. In the ESV it reads; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” In Jewish custom it is recited twice a day. First, when you arise in the morning and second, before you go to bed at night. Shema, has a very deep meaning that is lost in translation. Here the ESV and most other translations translate the word Shema to ‘Hear.’ This has harmed, I believe, the overall meaning of the word. As a result, the passage becomes less compelling. “Shema,” means to hear, yes, but in its fullness it means to “Listen and Obey.” Now knowing this truer definition lets look again at the passage. “Listen and Obey, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is ONE. You shall agapaō Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might!” Now you tell me which one sounds more impactful?

We are to listen and obey by faith. So much can be said here. i want to be careful not to run off on some tangent. Losing sight of what i am trying to say. i am trying to say that, like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Peter, Paul, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah . . . did . . . and like Yahoshua. He said; “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord. He does only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” We are to Shema the Word of Elohim. To Listen and Obey. To Read and to Do.

Shema my family and friends, Listen and Obey! Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is ONE! You Shall agapaō, Love fully and completely, Yahweh your Elohim. Love with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength! And don’t stop there, agapaō, your neighbor. Love fully and completely, as much as you love yourself, love others in the same way. To continue reading on this topic check out “Will the real Jesus please stand up?”

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Will the real Jesus please stand up

As i drive around my town, i have noticed several churches. These churches have at least one thing in common, they claim the title, “Disciples of Christ.” This observation isn’t a new one. In fact, i have made it before in this series of posts, “Every Wind of Doctrine.” But I feel this needs another look. All the “Christian Churches” claim to be “Disciples” even if they don’t advertise it on their signs. The definition of disciple is “to take” or “to become like.” By its very definition a disciple takes on the characteristics of the teacher. This is what the early followers of the Way believed and taught. It is why in fact the earlier believers were called “Christians” as the term means, “little Christs.” There is one glaring truth. The Apostles were put to death because they “took on” their Rabbi, becoming indistinguishable from their teacher. It didn’t end there. The great commission states: “Go and Make Disciples. Teach them all that I have taught you.” This what they were doing and the religious rulers of the day found that threatening to their survival.

Today, in the majority of churches, love is preached. Love God and love others. Many a church has this as part of their mission statement in some way. Ask them to define love and i am sure you will get various definitions even if similar in nature. If we were to go to the Rabbi and ask Him to define love, it would be whole. It would be complete. First, He would point out the love statement in most churches. He would most likely ask, “What does it look like to love Elohim?” How did Yahoshua show His love for the Father? He did so with full surrender. He did it as a servant, and as an Ambassador. An Ambassador stands for a Kingdom or Nation. He speaks on behalf of the ruler or government of the place he represents. A servant has no power or authority, he can only do that which is allowed or directed by his master. Yahoshua presents both of these and says, yes, this is how you love Elohim.

What is the Kingdom of Elohim? What does it stand for and what are its laws? How is honor shown to the King? If you want to love Elohim you must be able to answer these questions. In Matthew when Yahoshua is answering the question of what is the greatest commandment He says, “agapaō“. Specifically, He says; “Love Adonai your Elohim with all your heart. Love Him with all your soul. Love Him with all your mind.” This is a quote of Deuteronomy 6:5. In quoting this passage of Torah it should be assumed He was referencing the entirety of the passage. In its fullness Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says; “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our Elohim, Yahweh is One! You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. Teach them diligently to your sons. Talk of them when you sit in your house. Discuss them when you walk by the way. Speak of them when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” This is the fullness of love and honor toward Elohim.

Yahoshua adds to the answer of the question, love for your neighbor. He says, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Here Yahoshua is quoting from Leviticus 19:18. In its context it says, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people. Instead, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I AM Yahweh.” The fuller context which again should be assumed here is Leviticus 19:9-18. The entirety of the passage is on how we treat our fellow man. Which is simplified to love others the way you love yourself. The term is the same, “agapaō“. Yahoshua teaches on this when He says, “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”

There is a way in which we show love to unbelievers and a way we show love between believers. It is not the same. Although, similar in nature one is reaching out and the other is lifting up. As disciples of Yahoshua, we walk as He walked. We talk as He talked. We give as He gave. We love as He loved. i have not been very good at this, i have done things in pride, jealousy, spite, and anger or hurt. i have acted out of emotions, rashly and with little thought for the big picture. This was not loving my neighbor as myself. It was projecting myself onto others with little regard for them as an individual. It was demanding without example. Yahoshua tells us how to live and he lived that way. He said, “Truly, truly, I tell you. The Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” He was walking out what it looks like to be a disciple. A follower of the Way, an Ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven.

I have watched music artists and Hollywood actors give speeches. They thank their “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” for roles or songs. Of which do not bring honor to the King as an Ambassador to the Kingdom. In fact the exact opposite is true. Yet, many of my friends will say, “Oh they’re a Christian.” But are they though? Or are they just a believer as the demons believe and tremble. Are they actually an ambassador of another kingdom leading astray a multitude of people? Now I am the judgmental one, yet we are told we will know them by their fruits.

Fruits are more than words, it is in action as well. It is in repentance, it is in a life changed. One who walked in darkness but has seen a great light and now walks in that light. Is there a change? Has one stumbled or made mistakes? Have they gotten up and repented? Do they continue reaching for the upward call of Elohim in Messiah Yahoshua? This is how you know if they are true followers of the Way. We are to test the spirits. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from Elohim. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.” A prophet is simply someone who proclaims to know Messiah and presents Messiah. A prophet is true if they show the Messiah of Scripture. They must walk as He walked. If not, they are false.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is how you can tell if someone is a true disciple, whether they are following the true Messiah. It is in their word and speech as much as it is in their spirit and their actions. When you drive around and see the sign, “Disciples of Christ,” ask yourself this. Are they truly walking the way Yahoshua walked? Are they walking the Way of the Rabbi? To read more on this topic check out “Shema.”

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,

cj

“I Believe!”

Yahoshua is
The Way
The Truth
The Life
Torah is
The Way, Path, Instruction
The Truth, Your Word is Truth
The Life, Man shall not live by bread alone BUT by every WORD of Elohim
Yahoshua is Torah
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1)

Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Salvation is found in Messiah alone. We are told, “For by grace you have been saved and not of yourselves, lest anyone boast.” Again in another place it says, “All who call upon the name of Adonai will be saved.” “So what must I do to be saved?” The question was asked, the answer given, “Believe in Adonai Yahoshua and you and your household will be saved.” What does it mean to believe? For when asking Yahoshua for a miracle a man said, “I believe, Adonai, help my unbelief.”

The word translated ‘Believe’ in each of these instances is from the Greek. It is πιστεύω pisteúō, which means: to commit to, to entrust oneself, to place oneself into. It is participatory. You see, it says that “even demons believe and tremble,” believe or to think to be true. If simply believing something to be true was enough then it wouldn’t be contrasted. But it is and thus it requires action on our part. To commit ourselves to Yahoshua. It is what He was stating when He said, “I am the way,” we are to commit to His way. “I am the truth,” we are to commit to His truth. “I am the life,” we are to commit to His lifestyle. In so doing we commit, we entrust ourselves to Him, and we place ourselves into Him, into His Word.

This is the point James was making. He wrote, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Yahoshua stresses the same point, “Why do you call me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I say?” When Matthew 5:17 is brought up in a discussion it is often dismissed as irrelevant. People argue it was said before his death and resurrection. There is no disputing when it was said. For relevance, to argue its dismissal, you must then believe nearly everything Yahoshua said is now irrelevant. Here is what Yahoshua said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish them. Instead, I came to fulfill them.” Fulfill by bringing fullness and greater understanding. You can see this to be true by simply reading on in the passage. He continues, “Whoever relaxes even one of the least of these commandments will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever teaches others to do the same will have the same result.” This He said. He affirmed, “With certainty I tell you, not one dot or one tittle will pass away from the Torah.” This will continue “until all is accomplished.” The whole of Scripture to include the millennial reign of Messiah here on earth. We know this because Yahoshua speaks about the Law (Torah) and the Prophets. It is not just the Messianic prophecies of His coming, His death, and His resurrection.

So what are we to do? We are to follow the example set out for us by Yahoshua and His Apostles. We are to follow the instruction of Torah. As stated in earlier posts, we can not follow all of it nor did Israel. This is based on where we are geographically. It also depends on who we are by gender and what we do by occupation. Also, presently, there isn’t a Levitical Priesthood or a Temple, which also eliminates certain instructions found in the Torah. What then can we follow? We can without hesitation follow the Ten Commandments, to include the fourth one. Which says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor for six days and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your Elohim. On it, you shall not do any work. This includes you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, your livestock, or the sojourner within your gates. In six days, Yahweh made heaven and earth. He also made the sea and all that is in them. Then, Yahweh rested the seventh day. Hence, Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Honor Elohim’s Feast days as well of which the Sabbath is the first one mentioned. A weekly reminder of our eternal rest in Yahoshua. We can also follow the dietary instructions. These prohibitions have been proven a more healthy way of eating anyway.

These instructions are not cumbersome as some describe them. In fact knowing this argument would arise it was preemptively spoken of in Deuteronomy 30:11. “The commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you. It is not beyond your reach.” In 1 John it is reaffirmed. “For this is the love of Elohim, that we should keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” So how does one show that they believe? What is the mark of a believer? But by doing what Messiah instructed us to do. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” We are called to love Elohim and to love our neighbor. A summery of the Ten Commandments but also stand alone commandments of which both are found in the ‘Old Testament.’ Micah mentions what Elohim requires of us. We need to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Elohim. It has always been about relationship with Yahweh. A personal relationship in which we walk with Him, hand in hand with our creator. His commands are for our advantage and our obedience is a sign of our commitment, it says, “I believe.”

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

The Chosen Veil

Many of us live veiled lives. Covering those parts of our life, history, story, that are least flattering, even shameful, even if it is only by our own definition. Many spend a lifetime living under a veil. Some live with veiled faces to block out that which seems too difficult, or based on experiences are deemed unnecessary. Some have worn a veil so long they don’t even know they are wearing one. It has become a part of them as much as the nose on their face.

Everyday, we choose our veils, and for the most part it goes unnoticed by the world. Today, i hope to challenge you, to see the veil you maybe walking with and in that awareness, perhaps, begin to lift it. View life, love, liberty, with a new lens. The other day i was reading in 2 Corinthians. i marked this passage found at the end of Chapter three.

“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains un-lifted, because it is removed in Messiah. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away. Now Adonai is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of Adonai, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from Adonai, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:12-18)

Yahoshua said, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” This is a scathing rebuke of the religious leaders of the day. Along with Paul’s letter to the Corinthians in which he says, “But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart.” They didn’t want to know truth because it would disrupt their traditions. The same is true today. Many refuse to look at Moses and his writings as significant outside of a historic perspective. When in reality it is the very essence of who Yahoshua is, was, and is to come. Within the writings of the prophets as well, we find Yahoshua, and His coming Kingdom. Nowhere is there a new path, just new understanding in that it is written on our heart and on our minds. Can we make atonement for ourselves? No. Could the Israelites? No. The sacrificial system that was in place was a foreshadowing of Messiah. It was never sufficient. So based on this many claim all is done away with, and they are wrong.

What we do know is that in the millennium, the sacrificial system will be reinstated. For atonement purposes? No. If you read the Passover instruction, or First Fruits, Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, pick one, what you read about is a prescribed gathering in which there was a feast. A massive party around the earthly Thrown of Elohim. The sacrifices were eaten by the people. Offerings were brought to the Levites because they didn’t own land, didn’t farm, didn’t tend flocks, they were ministers in the Temple and to the people. Is there a Temple now? No. Are the Levites within the land dependent upon others for their livelihood? No. So there is much of the Instruction, the Torah, that we are unable to observe. This doesn’t negate the whole but rather accentuate the purpose of Torah and that has always been relationship with Elohim.

Yahoshua says, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. Yes, and He will show Him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.” John 519-20 ~ If Elohim never changes, the system never changed but our understanding of it is skewed because of bad interpretations throughout the years dating all the way back to Yahoshua. “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me.” Shouldn’t we get to know Moses if we truly want to understand Yahoshua? In Messiah’s High Priestly prayer found in John 17 He says, “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your word.” What word? The Torah and the living Torah made flesh in the person of Yahoshua.

Yahoshua later says, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one— I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” Elohim cannot deny Himself, He cannot lie, He cannot contradict Himself, therefore our understanding must align with the whole of Scripture. To walk according to the Gospel, the good news of Messiah, is to Walk in Unity with the Instruction of the Father through the Torah, the book of Instruction. To walk in the Commandments of Elohim and His statutes of which are possible today.

What of Elohim’s instruction can be followed? That which reflects the heart of the Father. His 10 Words, the Ten Commandments, to Love Elohim with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves sums up the whole of the law. Yet, what does it look like to love and honor Elohim if not to observe His Torah? To walk as the Rabbi walked in perfect unity with the Father and in response to His prayer for us in John 17. To be one with Him as He is one with the Father, to be in Him and He in us as the Father and the Son are one. What veil are you living under, what tradition of man is clouding your vision, what response will you give Messiah when He says, “Why do you call me Adonai, Adonai, and not do what I command?“

This is the Way of the Rabbi . . .
You are loved,

cj

A Baseball Analogy

A Perfect Game ~ For to this you have been called, because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

Let me give you a sports analogy. In baseball a pitcher starts by stepping on the mound with a dream of throwing a perfect game. Every pitcher wants to be the one to do it. It has been done only 24 times in MLB history. They did it, they completed a perfect game, these pitchers are examples to the rest of the league. Of course they had help from their team, but still, it rests on the pitcher for the most part. Just because it has been accomplished, doesn’t mean it is no longer a stat. As well, a pitcher who starts on Monday, fails to throw a perfect game doesn’t give up. On Thursday, the next time he steps on the mound the dream is the same, “Today is the day!” It remains the hight of pitching, greater than a no-hitter, which has only been done 326 times in MLB history and that is a dream of a pitcher as well. Think about it this way each team has 162 regular season games. There are 30 teams in Major League Baseball . . . needless to say, there are a lot of games played each season. Still there have only been 24 perfect games thrown and only 326 no-hitters. It is quite the feat.

Yahoshua, completed a perfect life. He didn’t end the way, He merely showed us how. Elijah was taken in a fiery chariot, Enoch walked with Elohim, Melchizedek was a high priest before there was an Israel. i am not saying these men were perfect but they were as close to it as one could be, perhaps they pitched no-hitters. Here is my point, Yahoshua, didn’t come so that man could live without order. He came to defeat sin and death by paying the ultimate price. Shouldn’t we as a sign of gratitude, live as He lived, with the help of the Holy Spirit? Not flippantly, ignoring His Feast Days, His Sabbath’s, His Commandments. Yet, that is exactly what the Church is doing. They have separated themselves from the nation of Israel when in actuality we are grafted in. They have adopted holidays, which many debate have pagan influences. i work for a person who claims to be pagan. They talk about their pagan origins and they express how funny it is to see “christians” celebrate their holidays. Whether or not it is wholly true it is partially true and that alone should get the Churches attention. It doesn’t.

Folks will say that it isn’t possible to keep the commandments. They will quote passages of Scripture to make their point. Such as Acts 15:10 ~ “Now then, why do you test Elohim by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?” What many fail to realize or connect to this verse is Acts 15:23 ~ “For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” When the Jerusalem Council met and were discussing the inclusion of gentile believers they weren’t saying, since they can’t keep the Law no one should have to, nor did they believe that the Law was done away with, as Paul demonstrates time and time again. No, what they were doing was not heaping on them generations of mans traditions added to the simplicity of walking with Elohim. The Torah is not burdensome as Yahoshua clearly demonstrated while He walked among humanity. The council wasn’t saying, ‘we failed to throw a perfect game so let’s get rid of that stat so the rookies don’t have an unnecessary burden put on them.’ No indeed.

This adoption by the church has given license to the same to forget the “Feasts of YHWH” as He declares them. “These are the feasts of YHWH, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons.” (Leviticus 23:4) They aren’t Jewish feasts, Hebraic feasts, Israeli feasts, they ARE YHWH’s Feasts, Holy Convocations, Forever. i don’t know what your definition of forever is but my forever hasn’t even come close to an end. It seems we have used Messiah as an excuse to forget the ways of the Father. Yahoshua is the fulfillment of the law, many claim, but the term is better translated ‘fulness’ and it leads us to a better understanding away from the influences of man. He came to set the record straight, pitch the perfect game, show humanity a more perfect way; The Way. We may never achieve that level of perfection but it should be our goal every time we step on the mound.

If you fail to throw a perfect game on Monday, dust yourself off. And on Tuesday with the same resolve, with prayer, begin your day with the intention of throwing a perfect game. “Today is the day!” Do not grow weary, do not give up, for the Holy Spirit is at work writing the Torah on your heart. Hebrews quotes Jeremiah, who quotes Elohim, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHWH: I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.” To what covenant are the gentiles grafted into? There is only one covenant, and by the grace of Elohim, He writes it on our hearts and on our minds. Paul tells us, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Messiah Yahoshua has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Elohim in Messiah Yahoshua. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, Elohim will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Philippians 3:12-15)

This is the Way of the Rabbi ~

Feel free to email questions to questions@thewayoftherabbi.com or drop a comment below.

You are loved
cj

Remnant (narrow is the way and few find it)

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” Matthew 7:23
i wonder how many read this passage of Scripture and think that this is for the world and not those who think they are in the “Church.” Let’s look at the whole of this passage and break it down. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in YOUR NAME, and in YOUR NAME cast out demons, and in YOUR NAME perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ ” This passage of Scripture, if it doesn’t make you tremble, should at least admonish you to take Paul’s advice, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” (Philippians 2:12).

Before we dive into what Adonai meant we need to understand what the title Adonai means? Well, first it is translated into English as Lord, and therefore defined as; a person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler. We use the term Lord mostly today which derives from the greek and comes from the root, BA’AL. This is why i like the to use Adonai, which comes from the Hebrew and is more fully translated as, “MY Master.” So according to Yahoshua, in the end, many will say to Him, “Adonai, Adonai!” These people coming to Him will recognize Him as their Master, their Lord. They continue to say, “didn’t we do . . .” They believe they were working in the Name of Yahoshua. Saul, later Paul, when he was persecuting the followers of the Way, before his conversion on the road to Damascus, thought he was doing the Will of Elohim. Yet, admittedly, he lacked true understanding of and relationship with YHWH. He was following mans tradition and not the Will of the Father in heaven. Today, likewise, many are following mans tradition and lack relationship with the Father and the Son. Yet, they strive in the name of . . .

To be a true disciple, one must walk in the way of the Rabbi, the Teacher. To put on Messiah. To become like him. Paul even says, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” What did Messiah do? Only that which the Father said. Yahoshua is recorded as saying, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” He also says, “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do what I command you?” i have said this a lot recently, but it is worth repeating, Yahoshua is the WORD of Elohim made flesh. He is the fullness of Torah, not the end of it. He is the example of Torah, not the abolishment of it. He came to live it out so that we could imitate Him not throw it out. He came to set the record straight. He admonished the religious leaders of His day for their man made traditions and rules and commands. He would do the same today.

Let’s look at Paul for a minute as he confesses his passion for his understanding of Elohim. “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Yahoshua of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:9-11) ~ Here Paul tells us that his zeal for Elohim led him to persecute that which he did not understand. Even though he was versed in Torah, and the prophets. What he should have known he did not recognize because of his commitment to the Pharisaic traditions. This has been something religious leaders have done since the dawn of time, attempting to worship in their own way. Even with clear instruction not to.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2 ~ “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that YHWH, the Elohim of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHWH your Elohim that I command you.”

Revelation 22:18-19 ~ “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, Elohim will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Elohim will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

These warnings should be taken extremely serious. They are not just statements made in the wind but are reflective of the heart of Elohim who desires a personal relationship with his creation. Micah declares, “Does YHWH take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does YHWH require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your Elohim ~ The voice of YHWH will call to the city And it is sound wisdom to fear HIS name:”

The first covenant with Israel was one of blood and stone. The new covenant is one of flesh and spirit. However, it is still with the house of Israel. “Behold, the days are coming, declares YHWH, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares YHWH. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHWH: I will put MY laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be MY people.” This passage in Hebrews is from Jeremiah 31:31-34.

So if this new covenant is simply the old covenant written on the hearts of Israel and Judah, how do the Gentile nations become partakers? Paul writes to the Romans, “Rather through their [Israel and Judah] sin salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” And later he writes, “For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?” But by what means and for what purpose but to make salvation available to all as it was meant in the Torah! By being joined together with Israel, simply grafted in as Paul explains is this same letter to the Romans. “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partakers with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.” There is no distinction of people but there is a distinction of those who are in covenant with YHWH. That is . . . we ‘SHEMA’ which means, hear and obey.

“Shema Israel, YHWH our Elohim is One. You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” It is with the heart that we love, with our soul we commit, with our mind we come to know and in our strength we serve. The two greatest commandments, love Elohim, and love our neighbor, this reveals the heart of the covenant. “You shall have no other gods before Me,” this reveals our commitment, much like the marriage covenant and why it is used as a symbol of our relationship to Messiah. We are told to meditate on His Word day and night, to know Him, is to love Him. Finally to serve Him with all we have and all we are for some everything comes easy because they have little. For others it is difficult because they have much.

This brings us back to the beginning. Narrow is the path that leads to life and few find it. “Why do you call me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I command?” His command is the Torah, the unmistakable relationship covenant bound by our desire to keep in fellowship with our Creator. There are two paths, a religion that is based on mans tradition is the same as no religion at all which is to say without relationship. For can one truly say they know Elohim and yet forsake His Ways? But to be in covenant doesn’t mean perfection but it does mean holiness. It does mean striving. It does mean running the race to win, by training to run the race. Practice Torah, for it is the instruction manual, the guid book, to acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Elohim. Do not find yourself on the other end of the saying, “Depart from ME, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.”

This is the way of the Rabbi.
You are loved,
cj

The Way of the Rabbi — “It is written!”

The Way of the Rabbi — “It is written!”
Luke 6:40 — “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

“And Yahoshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:1-2) As we read this many will only look at what we will highlight in a minute, however, this statement says a lot. For forty days, Yahoshua fasted and was tempted. We will look at three of them because that is all we get a glimpse of yet, still, i am confident that the response the entire time is the same; “It is written.” You can read the entire account in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.

Yahoshua, tired and hungry is tempted by the devil yet again, “If you are the Son of Elohim, command this stone to become bread.” Remember now, Yahoshua has been fasting for forty days. The Scripture says, “He was hungry.” The devil may not be all knowing but he is aware and knowledgable. In that awareness and knowledge of Scripture he will tempt you right where you are with exactly what might work, if you are not equipped to fight him off. The devil knows the Scriptures better than most if not all of humanity, and he knows how to twist it to make his temptation seem even as truth. Yahoshua, who is the Word made flesh was equipped to give the right answer. “Yahoshua answered him, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of Elohim.” The Way of the Rabbi is to confront temptation with Scripture. Yahoshua, here quotes from Deuteronomy 8:3 — “And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every WORD that comes from the mouth of YHWH.” As He quotes the later part of this passage, i can’t help but think that in this He was also thinking, that the Father knows of what we need. As later when asked to teach on prayer, Yahoshua says, “give us this day our daily bread.” This is the Way of the Rabbi, to hunger and thirst for righteousness. To search the scriptures daily, to meditate on them day and night. Let’s continue with temptation number two . . .

“Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of Elohim, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command His angels concerning You,’
and
‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike Your foot against a stone.'”

One wouldn’t think of this as being that great a temptation. Unless you take into account all that would befall Yahoshua. When i read this temptation i am reminded of the moment Yahoshua was taken to the cliff to be thrown down by the Pharisee’s. Just after Yahoshua reads from the Prophet Isaiah in the synagogue, “The Spirit of Adonai is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor.” After reading this passage He rolled up the scroll and said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Hearing this those in the synagogue were filled with wrath. They drove Yahoshua out of town to the cliff and were intent on throwing Him over the edge. However, just when you thought His end was near, “But passing through their midst, He went away.” The devil will tempt us to put Elohim to the test, to seek for signs and wonders, yet His promise is to be there for us in our times of trouble. There isn’t a need to test Him but to trust Him. Yahoshua responds to the devil, “Again it is written, You shall not put Adonai your Elohim to the test.” This response comes from Deuteronomy 6:16 the following verse reads, “You shall diligently keep the commandments of YHWH your Elohim, and His testimonies and His statutes, which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of YHWH, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that YHWH swore to give to your fathers.” This is extremely important context! For the Way of the Rabbi is to do the will of the Father, to follow His commandments and statutes. Why? Because, when we live as instructed, we don’t need to worry about such things for He will take care of us. As the lesson found in Luke 4:28-30 reveals, “But passing through their midst, He went away.“

Now the devil attempts to tempt Yahoshua in a way many are tempted today. To submit to him and in so doing gain the riches of this world. “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And He said to Him, ‘All these I will give You, if you will fall down and worship me.‘” There is an easy road that leads to destruction, this is what the Word tells us and many walk it. Even if the road isn’t easy but full of hardship, people will blame Elohim, yet they are not submitting to His way of life. The devil needn’t worry so much about them for he already has them. But the ones who are trying to walk the Way of the Rabbi are tempted, in this way, to just live free, “do as thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” It is the temptation of Messiah here, “don’t worry about all that stuff, just submit to me and it is Yours.” Finally, Yahoshua having had enough of the games says, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship Adonai your Elohim and Him only shall you serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.” In Yahoshua’s response He is quoting from Deuteronomy again, 6:13, the fullness of that passage reads; “It is YHWH your Elohim you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by His name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you, for YHWH your Elohim in your midst is a jealous Elohim, lest the anger of YHWH your Elohim be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.” WOW! We are to “seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” We don’t need to submit to the devil and his temptations for we serve a Elohim who knows our needs, our wants and our desires. We are to resist the devil in this way, “IT IS WRITTEN!” and he has no choice but to flee.

However, in order to do this one must be versed in Scripture! You must know what it says, why it says it, and be confident in the promises of Elohim. Paul, who is often mis-interpreted, was a Torah observant follower of Messiah Yahoshua and he told Timothy this . . . “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16. He goes on in his letter to warn Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4. We live in a time of itching ears, a time where people are looking to teachers who widen the path, pervert the Word of Elohim, twist it and make a mockery of it. Yet, we are given a more perfect way, the Way of the Rabbi.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40
“If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is Truth.” John 17:17

As Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” So is the Torah described. The Torah is known as the Way, the Path, and Instruction. As we have seen above Yahoshua is Truth, and the Torah, the Word, is Truth. He is Life, Yahoshua is life and the Torah is the life, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim.” Yahoshua said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” Yahoshua said, “If you abide in My word you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Not free to sin or live in rebellion to YHWH and His Word but to live free from the penalty of sin and death. For by grace we have been saved and not of works that anyone should boast. Yet, we are still to live in communion and covenant with Elohim by keeping His word. It isn’t too cumbersome, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We are to love YHWH with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To abide in Him and in His Word. Yahoshua is His Word, made flesh, He didn’t come to contradict Himself but to reveal and make full the wonders of Elohim the Father.

Let me conclude with this verse, “Why do you call Me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them . . . when the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49. This is the Way of the Rabbi.

You are loved,
cj

The Coming of the Lawless One

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore Elohim sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Let us start here with the idea of the coming of the lawless one. First, we need to figure out what this term lawless one means. We also need to understand what it meant to first century believers. Penned by Paul shortly after his first letter to the Thessalonians about 51 AD give or take a year. His purpose is to encourage the people of the Way, as they suffered persecution from the pagan culture that surrounded them as well as assimilated Israelite’s, also known as gentiles. The first and second century believers were a sect of Judaism known as “the Sect of the Nazarene”. They were apart of the Synagogue, went to the Sabbath meetings, observed the feasts, and various traditions, overly so in some cases and under in others. This is why the Jerusalem council met and unfortunately why part of the clarification has been misinterpreted today. The church has been evolving for two thousand years, not all for the good, but not all of it bad either. Some question the idea of the church wavering so, and i simply point to the book of Exodus, or Judges, or Jeremiah, or . . . pick one book found in the Tanakh, and you will see that within a generation things can fall apart. Or just look around at the political and cultural landscape today and you can see easily how fast things can change. So it isn’t a stretch to think that man could mess up what Messiah left.

So with this understanding we can easily see that lawless meant Torah-less without Torah. i think the most egregious misinterpretation of Scripture was to render Torah as law. When it is better translated, instruction, or path, or way. But even if we use the term law the idea doesn’t change. To be without Elohim’s instruction is to be outside the will of the Father. Without His path, His way, one is thereby lawless. Someone who believes the Torah has been done away with needs only to wrestle with the question, what is sin.

i believe many in the Christian Church when they read; “The coming of the lawless one,” think the Constitution of the United States or governing body. When in actuality the coming of “the lawless one is by the activity of Satan. With all power and false signs and wonders.” Therefore, the lawlessness ascribed to here is that of Elohim’s law, and not the law of the land created by man. This is not to say that we are not to adhere to the laws of the land, we are! i am simply stating the fact that the lawless that is referred to here is Torahlessness. To make this point more clear, we can look at the idea of sin, what is sin? Simply, as John writes, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4). Again, this law that is being broken is Torah, which again isn’t law at all but instruction. Reminder, the Torah although translated law is more accurately translated to instruction, or path, or way. Remember when Yahoshua said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? Or think about when John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the idea, that Yahoshua is the living Torah. He didn’t come to do away with Himself but to bring fullness to the way of the Father, Yahweh.

So then what is the activity of the lawless one? It is the spirit of Anti-Christ, or Anti-Messiah. To oppose, or in opposition of truth, it is the “do as thou wilt”, mantra of the satanic bible. When Yahoshua walked with His disciples He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” The Torah or better yet, the Way, Path, or instruction can be broken down in that statement. The Torah is the way. The Torah is Truth — “Your Word is Truth”. The Torah is Life — “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim.” Now, Yahoshua, as John describes is “The Word made flesh. . .” Which makes total sense that the Anti-Messiah will come in opposition to the Torah or the Instructions of Yahweh and the living Word, Yahoshua.

People will instantly say in rebuttal, “Do you keep all the law?” Well no i don’t. And a simple cursory reading of the Tanakh will show why. Some laws are only for women, i am not a woman. Some laws are only for married men, i am not married. Some laws are for Priests and Levite’s, i am not a Priest or a Levite. Some Laws are for the High Priest, i am not the High Priest. Some Laws are for living within Jerusalem, i am not in Jerusalem. Do you get the point? So what laws do we follow? Yahoshua, said, “Love Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second, love your neighbor as yourself. On these two the whole of the law and the prophets hold together.” Notice they hold together and not replace. Also, they are not new, both are “Old Testament” quotes. If we truly love the Father and His Son, the King of the Heavenly Kingdom, should we not then live under their rule? Which according to Deuteronomy 30:11 and 1 John 5:3 “And His commandments are not burdensome.” Some will say, these apply only to Jews, but Exodus 12:49 says, “There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

So, what is one to do? The law doesn’t save us, we can keep the law all day long but if we don’t have a relationship with Elohim through Yahoshua the law is useless. This was Paul’s point and James who says, “Faith without works is dead.” Micah, sums it up this way, “He has shown you oh man, what is good, and what does Elohim require of you, but to Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with your Elohim.” This would look like following the 10 Commandments, not just 9 of them. This would look like “Pure and undefiled religion is this, to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” This would look like, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40). This would look like walking in the footsteps of the Rabbi Yahoshua, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” This would look like, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and therefore profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Another way to look at it is this, we are the bride of Messiah. The most used marriage passage is 1 Corinthians 13. If we love Yahweh as much as we say we love Him, and if we love His Son Yahoshua as much as we say we love Him, then 1 Corinthians 13 should apply. “…but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. . . So what remains is faith, hope and love, so abide in them; yet still the greatest of these is love.” And remember what Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life . . .” He is the instructor and the instruction, the instruction made flesh, the fullness of the shadow of things to come. He is the revealer of all truth and we must walk in His way.

“If you love Me . . .”

You are loved,
cj