Tag: ponder

Understanding Redemption Through Yahoshua: A Scriptural Journey

Understanding Redemption Through Yahoshua: A Scriptural Journey

“Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is One. And you shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

The journey of redemption is lead by Yahweh. It is His desire to make us into who He made us to be. A restoration of His garden plan found in Genesis. “And He saw ALL that He had made, AND IT WAS GOOD.”

Luke 24:13-19 “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Yahoshua Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, ‘What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?’ And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?’ And He said to them, ‘What things?’

The scene is post crucifixion. Two disciples are walking together and discussing all that had transpired. They were saddened believing that all had come to an end. They were discouraged, and aimless. On their way back home presumably to resume that which they did before following the Messiah. When the very One they mourned appeared in their midst and began to question them. To ask them “What things?” seems out of touch but in reality it was the open door to bring the Scriptures to life. To open their eyes to the promises that had always been and now were. But first, Yahoshua needed to know what they understood and they revealed it in their answer to Him.

Luke 24:19-24 “And they said to Him, ‘The things about Yahoshua the Nazarene. Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people. How the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.‘” Note here: Their expectation was of a Kingdom. That David’s throne would be reestablished with Yahoshua reigning in Jerusalem and Israel being reborn. Continuing now. “Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, they did not find His body. They came back, saying that they had also seen a vision. A vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.“

Yahoshua (Jesus) had spent three and a half years teaching them. He told them multiple times of His purpose. He even tells Pilate, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world. To testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate then asks, “What is truth?” Do you know what truth is? Do you know why He said, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice?” It is because truth is the Word and the Word is Truth. As Yahoshua says, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 18:37-38; & 17:17).

Luke 24:25-27. “And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory? Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” The Scriptures here being referred to, we call the ‘Old Testament,’ but is better understood as the Tanakh. All the answers, all Truth is found in the Word. That Word is (for clarity) the Old Testament. The promise of the New Covenant is that the Torah would be written on the hearts His people.

Jeremiah 31 says, “I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Ezekiel 36 puts it this way; “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Hebrews 8 records this idea not because the commandments were burdensome but because of the fault of man. “For finding fault with them, He says, . . . I will put My Torah (instruction) into their minds and I will write it on their hearts.”

The cry of David’s heart should be the cry of every heart that calls itself a believer. “Make me know Your ways, O Yahweh; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your TRUTH and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. For You I wait all the day. Remember, O Yahweh, Your compassion and Your loving kindnesses, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions. According to Your loving kindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Yahweh. Good and upright is Yahweh. Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice. He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Yahweh, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” Psalm 25:4-11

True revival is a desire for Elohim’s (God’s) instruction. It is a calling back to His instruction, a call to obedience. This was the instruction of Yahoshua who said, “If you love Me obey My commandments.” And, “Why do you call Me Adonai (Master), Adonai, and not do as I command?” We should desire His ways, His path, His instruction. Yahoshua said, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Did you know that the Torah is called, the way? It is also called the Truth and it is Life. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, the Torah made flesh. Is any of this making sense yet?

In Deuteronomy you will find these passages . . .
5:8-10 “. . . but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
7:9-11 “. . . who love Him and keep His commandments.”
10:12-13 “. . . to walk in all His ways and love Him. To serve Yahweh your Elohim (God) with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep Yahweh’s commandments.”
11:1 “You shall therefore love Yahweh your Elohim. And always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.”
11:13 “. . . listen obediently to My commandments . . . love Yahweh your Elohim . . .”
11:22 “For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love Yahweh your Elohim. To walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him.”
19:8-9 “. . .if you carefully observe all this commandment which I command you today, to love Yahweh your Elohim, and to walk in His ways . . .”
30:16 “. . . love Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments . . .”

Joshua 22:5 “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the Torah which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you. To love Yahweh your Elohim and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and holdfast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Nehemiah 1:5-6 “. . . for those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
Daniel 9:4 “. . . those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and observe His commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
2 John 1:5-6 “. . . not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.”

Therein lies the truth of the matter, the Torah, Elohim’s instruction was not done away with but was made manifest. It was done so through Messiah Yahoshua (Christ Jesus). He is the instruction that is now written on the hearts of those who love Elohim and keep His commandments. For as promised, we have the instruction now within us enabling us to walk in love. Both love for the Father and for our neighbor. To honor Elohim and His Sabbath’s, His Feast Days, His commandments and statutes. Through the power of our resurrected Adonai Yahoshua and the promised helper the Holy Spirit.

One day we will stand before the judgment seat. Many will hear something they are not expecting. Not because they didn’t hear the truth but because they didn’t keep it. Matthew 7:22-23 “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 from Me, you who practice lawlessness.‘” It wasn’t because they thought their works would save them it was because they were not following the commandments of Elohim. They were lawless, they were without Torah. They made it a practice to not do what Elohim expects of those who say they love Him. If you love Him, keep His commandments. This is the way of the Rabbi.

Luke 24:30-32, 35 “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?'” “They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”

What will you do? Yahoshua is the bread of heaven, the Word made flesh. Do you know Him? Do you know His Word? He reveals the Father, the Father never changes nor does His word. Therefore, it stands to reason if we want to truly know Yahoshua Messiah the Son of Elohim. You must know the Scriptures, Genesis to Malachi. And not only know them but obey them. Are you on the narrow road that leads to Salvation? Or, are you on the wide road that leads to destruction?

You are loved,
cj

My Journey from Ministry to a Deeper Faith

My Journey from Ministry to a Deeper Faith

From an early age I have been involved in ministry. As a kid singing with my family in churches even doing concert tours. Later, I would attend youth camps. When I was eighteen, the owner of the campground where we lived asked me to be the Pastor of the “Little Chapel of the Canyon.” He even helped me figure out a way to receive an ordination so that I could legally officiate weddings. This so he could advertise this as an available option to the campground experience. I led services at the chapel every Sunday for a year. At the same time I also held a Bible study in my home on Wednesday nights. I did this until I moved to Washington state for a girl that I had met in Jr. High at a summer camp. A camp I attended while visiting my grandparents after earning money selling candy door to door. We wrote letters back and forth for years. However, after my arrival the spark we shared in Jr. High never returned.

All was not lost however. As I did begin volunteering at a Youth for Christ center in the town I lived. Later, I would be asked to lead the Jr High Ministry at the church I attended. I did this for a couple years before moving back to Southern California, the place I called home. After moving back I started attending a local church and again began volunteering with the Youth ministry. After a year the youth pastor moved on. They did not have a budget to hire a new youth pastor. So, they asked me to lead as a volunteer. To which I accepted. Newly married, and bi-vocational, it was a busy time. We would have our first son during this time as well. On top of family, work and ministry, I began attending classes towards becoming a Pastor.

Mostly online through a Denominational University, however, some courses were held at the District Center. While still attending classes I would be granted a District license. Later, upon completion of my studies I was ordained. I did eventually end up finishing two degrees, Biblical Studies (Theology) and Biblical History. After my first District license I would accept my first full time Youth Pastor position. At my first assignment my family would grow adding two more son’s to the clan. After my ordination I was approached about moving into a Lead Pastor position to which I accepted. I would bounce between, Youth, Lead, and Evangelism over the next 20 years. After which I would step down from ministry within the denominational structure.

My transition from full time ministry wasn’t all by my desire. However, several life events of my own making, caused a ripple effect that forced my hand. Some of those ripples I am still feeling and will be riding out for as long as I live. However, these events have brought something good. They have brought the closeness with Adonai that I have desired. I started first with putting down all devotionals, commentaries, and inspirational books. I began to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Oh I had done this before, several times actually, but with guides. This time I simply prayed, “Adonai, I want to know You for who You are and not what man has made You.”

The journey that I am on has been one of change and adaptation. As I learn new principles and new ways that Elohim desires worship, I adjust to Him. No longer do I take mans definitions, and mans traditions and tell the Father, “this is how I will honor You.” No, now I learn what pleases Him and I strive to make that a part of my life, of who I am day in and day out. I taught for so long man’s definitions, mans traditions, all centered around a Greek Jesus. Now I am learning about Elohim’s instruction, His desires, all centered around a Hebrew Messiah, Yahoshua.

During this time I studied in depth the works of Augustine, and Josephus. Along with many other historians. One thing rings true in these writings. The faith of the earliest Apostles has slipped from the Way left by Yahoshua. It has taken on a Greco-Roman philosophical leaning faith. A mixture of ideas from cultures not inspired by Elohim but men.

Ezekiel 22:26 is one of the eye opening verses that started my journey of awakening to the Fathers instruction. It was the first step after deciding to take the advice of the Apostle Paul. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” It was my first walk through of Genesis to Revelation. When the Ezekiel passage leaped off the page and smacked me in the face. “Her priests have done violence to My Torah and have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the Holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”

I was one of those who stood in a leadership position and did violence to His Torah. I did not make any distinction between the Holy and the common, nor did I teach the difference between the unclean and the clean. I disregarded His Sabbaths, and profaned them even, by doing my pleasure on them. This was eye opening. It isn’t that I feel a need to earn my salvation. No, I am thankful for my Messiah Yahoshua who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is through Him that I receive forgiveness of sin and am washed clean. Through His righteousness I am made worthy. However, it is Yahoshua who says, “If you love me, obey My commandments.” He also said, “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I command?”

Dating back to late 2019, you can begin to read the shift. There are posts before that that I am still editing as my understanding of Elohim’s instructions are more clear. However, in a nutshell here is that journey. These are my highlights.

Psalm 51:6-13
– Purge me with hyssop
– Create in me a clean heart
– Do not cast me away
– Restore me
– Uphold me

Revelation 19:7
– make yourself ready

2 Corinthians 5:17
– IF anyone is in Messiah

2 Corinthians 13:5
– Examine yourself/test yourself

Galatians 6:4
– Examine your own works

1 John 2:3-6
“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. Now, the promise is true, whoever keeps His word [Torah], in him truly the love of Elohim is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him. Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
– Fear Elohim
– Keep His commandments
– Every deed will be judged (Those in Messiah have the hope of forgiveness)

John 5:46-47
– If you believed Moses, you would believe Me
– The Torah points to Messiah
– Look at the road to Emmaus where Yahoshua explains through the Tanakh who He is
– To truly know Messiah we must know the whole of Elohim’s Word

Psalm 119:105-112
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, Adonai, according to Your Word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, Adonai, and teach me Your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget Your Torah. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the end.”

This is the Way of the Rabbi, won’t you join me on this journey?

You are loved,
cj

Living Under Grace: Understanding God’s Commandments

Living Under Grace: Understanding God’s Commandments

Oh how burdensome it is to take a day off each week. To dedicate it to rest and restoration. To honor God and His instructions. It is a heavy yoke to carry. Oh that there would be a simpler way than resting in His presence. Oh thank You Lord Jesus. He completed it so I don’t have to. No longer am I burdened with what the children of Israel were burdened with for thousands of years. They couldn’t do, for it was too hard. Even though You constantly called them back to it and told them if they turned from their own ways. If they followed you again and kept Your statutes You would bless them again. Yet, you must have known that it was too hard and that they would fail. You punished them so that you could send Jesus and make it easy on us gentile believers. No longer burdened with living a life that sets us apart. Thank you for freeing us from the law of sin and death. Thank you for giving us thousands of years of illustrations of punishing a people so we could be free. Free to live however we want, for all things are permissible, for grace sake.

Does this statement sound absurd? It should, yet for many Christians this is exactly what they believe. Oh, they won’t say it out loud but deep down they believe it. They have to. If they don’t then they will be forced to recognize their constant depravity. And their need for walking out the commands of God. They will be forced to consider the whole of God’s Word. They cannot rely only on the few verses they cling to in order to break the commands of God. Does this sound too harsh? It’s better than eternal darkness and complete everlasting separation from Yahoshua (Jesus). Who is King of kings, and Master of masters.

Henry David Thoreau an early American poet and philosopher said; “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious effort.” The writer of Revelation, pens this statement; “Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yahoshua (Jesus).” It is both, and, not either or. We must do what we can to honor the commandments of Elohim and couple that with our faith in Yahoshua. It is not by works that I am saved. It is by living within the instruction of Yahweh that I show myself as having faith. I believe, therefore, I do.

Jude writes, “Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Adonai, Yahoshua Messiah.” How does one deny Yahoshua while claiming faith in Him? Simple, they say His teachings were for the Jews. That He came to fulfill the law so that we don’t have to. They deny statements like “I did not come to abolish the law, but to bring it to the full.” He challenged the religious leaders of the day and the man made traditions they held above the Word of God.

Ezekiel writes about the shepherds who don’t feed their sheep. “Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what Adonai Elohim says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.” There are many pastors getting fat off the flock today. They aren’t scattering them. They are deceiving them with false messages of prosperity and even making a mockery of grace itself.

He continues, “You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.” The violence and cruelty today is that they are not teaching the commandments of God but of man. They have created a different religion and their Christ Jesus is the lawless one He himself warned about. They both cannot be true. This is why I choose to use His Hebrew name. This is why I choose to seek Him fully and completely. To know His Word is to know Him for He is the Word made flesh. Thoreau may not have been a true believer but he did get it right when he said, “. . . unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious effort.”

Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Messiah Yahoshua.” Are we striving for “Your Kingdom come, Your WILL be DONE“? Or are we content with mediocrity? Are we content with lukewarmness? Are we content fooling ourselves that what the Word describes as not burdensome, to be too burdensome? “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” For this is what John 5:3 says.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun. It is true to this day. Jeremiah records this in the sixth chapter. “This is what Yahweh says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’'” Yahoshua said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Early believers before they took on the ‘christian’ moniker were known as the sect of the Nazarene. They were also known as the people of the way. We know truth to be the Word, “Your Word is Truth”. Life, for all who come and obey Yahoshua will live.

As Jeremiah later writes in the sixteenth chapter. “O Yahweh, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all. Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!” Some churches do have idols, engraved images, but beyond that many have man made traditions. They them place above the Word of Elohim. They justify themselves by taking the words of Paul and twisting them. As Peter warns. If the faith you follow allows for lawlessness, which is Torahlessness, you are outside the ways of Yahweh. Therefore, you are not following Yahoshua Messiah.

“Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’” These are Yahoshua’s (Jesus’) words to those who live outside the instructions of Elohim, outside of Torah. The lawless one is coming and he will deceive many. In fact the spirit of the lawless one is already at work. Wake up! The time is drawing short. Put your faith in the true Messiah Yahoshua! The ‘Jesus’ the Apostles taught about and live for and ultimately died for. Not the lawless one being taught today in the majority of churches.

You are loved,
cj

Return to Your First Love: Rediscovering Faith

Return to Your First Love: Rediscovering Faith

Greetings in the Name of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. i hope that this letter finds you well and flourishing in your spiritual journey. That you are daily seeking ways to act justly, be merciful, and walk humbly with Elohim. The reason i write to you is of no little importance but one of grave concern. As in the Revelation of John and his note to the Ekklesia in Ephesus. The church today has left its first love.

You have been lulled to sleep by lazy preaching and you have become lazy yourself. No longer do you test the prophets, and teachers. But with itching ears you seek out those who will not convict you with the word. You would rather sit in filth and be told you are clean than to wash yourself in the word. You have become more concerned on how the church makes you feel. Rather than living in a way that is pleasing to Elohim. This is not intended to be mean but to stir up in you a desire to look at yourself.

i was in an uncomfortable place too. Instead of receiving a letter to encourage me, i had to hit the wall. Oh how i wish someone would have come to me and said, “Wake up oh sleeper! Return to the love you had at first!” But like those in Ephesus i was reminded that God does know me. “I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance. That you are not able to bear evil ones. You even tested those who say they are prophets and are not, finding them false. You have endurance, and have labored for My Name’s sake. Even still you are not weary.”

In the note to the gathering in Ephesus Yahoshua says, “So remember from where you have fallen! Repent and do the first works. Or else, i shall come to you speedily and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.” When i first came to know Adonai for myself and not through others i was hungry. i could not eat enough of the Word. i could not get enough of fellowship with like minded people. i could not out do the grace given me in doing for others.

Somewhere, i lost that, somewhere, i grew selfish and lazy. i checked the necessary boxes each week but my heart was not in it. i was more concerned for life in the world than seeking the Kingdom. We are told in the Word, “Seek first the Kingdom . . . and all these things will be added to you.” But we seek the world and what is in the world. Then we complain and wonder why we don’t see the Kingdom. We are then fooled into thinking our ways are better than God’s ways. That our traditions are better than His. We then selfishly declare, He will like the way we worship Him for His ways are dead.

Return! Return! Awaken and return to the Ways of Yahweh! For His ways are better than our ways. His ways are a declaration we make that we are His. The Sabbath day is a wedding ring. Eating clean (kosher) is obedience. Honoring the Feast Days are so much more enriching than any man made tradition or holiday. His Days are HOLY, our days are disobedient. He said, “Do not learn the ways of the people around you and worship Me in that way.” Yet that is precisely what the church has done. They say His ways are dead and they have invented ways not found in Scripture to Worship Him. Stolen ideas of pagan practices, and call it redeeming. He says, “tear them down.”

This is not legalism, this is obedience. This isn’t a burdensome yoke, this is freedom from the world and the wrath to come. Soon, i might add. His ways are better than mans. In the end many will stand before Yahoshua (Jesus) and hear these words. They will hear, “depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” What law are they not practicing? You will see that they were not practicing the Torah. It doesn’t save us. We are saved by grace but what flows from that grace is a desire. A desire to live a life of obedience. “Observing all that I have commanded You and teaching others to do the same.”

Yahoshua said, “I only do what I see the Father doing.” He only spoke the Words written. He lived it, taught it, and calls His people, called by His Name to walk in it. The Word is Truth. What Word? The Tanakh, the Torah and the Prophets. It is the very Word that Paul instruct Timothy to remember and study and use. For it is good for teaching, reproof, correction, in all righteousness. Righteousness here is defined, “Things commanded by God to be obeyed by man.” If this is true, and surely it is, how can it then be done away with? It simply cannot be.

But some will say, “it is impossible to keep all the law that’s why Jesus came.” Yahoshua came to do the will of the Father. He then says, in every instance of rebuke and correction, “It is written.” What is written? The instructions on how to live, honor, and worship God. This is the Way of the Rabbi. This is how He lived, and this is what He instructs us to live. “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.” For what is sin? “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness (being without Torah). But you know that Messiah appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.”

“So remember from where you have fallen. Repent and do the first works. Or else I shall come to you speedily and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.” And His return draws ever closer!

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

Treading the Word: The Berean Approach

Treading the Word: The Berean Approach

To you, the reader, i write, with this one purpose in mind, that you would be stirred in your soul. A stirring so deep that you desire to read and study beyond this post. In order to gain a greater understanding of the Word of God. For it was the Bereans’ who were considered to be of more noble character. Why? It was for their desire to hear, and to study. That they would know if what they were being taught was true. And what did they study? The Scriptures, the Law (Torah) and the Prophets.

The word declares, “Study to show yourself approved. A workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed, rightly treading the Word of Truth.” The word treading is often translated as dividing. Many a wayward interpretation believes this is to divide up the words of God. Not true. It is to cut a path, maintain the truth, tread rightly the Word of Truth. For God’s Word is Truth. This was the heart of the Bereans’.

When reading the Word, one must ask themselves, to whom is the letter written. Yes, in the end it can be concluded that we are the intended audience. However, it is vitally important that we understand context. This will allow us to tread rightly the Word. To whom was it written? Where did they live? What is the backstory and therefore the overall purpose of the letter? When one knows the answers to these questions it becomes easier to know how to apply the Word today.

For instance, a passage often taken out of context is of the dietary law. Yahoshua is confronted about the washing of hands. The Pharisees question why Yahoshua’s disciples don’t wash their hands. Yahoshua answers it isn’t what goes in the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out of the heart. He challenged the Pharisees extra rituals. This had nothing to do with food and everything to do with extra man made burden. It is well known that an added phase, “Thereby declaring all foods clean.” Which now in most translations if it is present is so with brackets. For it was added much later and does not appear in the earliest of manuscripts.

The context was hand washing. The food on the table was all food. There wasn’t a giant ham on the table with lobster tails and shrimp. What was on the table was food. The question of cleanliness is of tradition. It was said that if a person with unwashed hands touched food, the food was unclean. It didn’t turn to ham it was a steak or a potato that was now ritually unclean. So Yahoshua pointed out that this was not a Torah commandment but a man made ritual. Yahoshua declared that all food considered good by God was not defiled. This was true even if one didn’t wash their hands.

Context matters, audience matters, time and place matter. This is just one example but there are many more. The modern church thinks that the Word of Elohim has been done away with in large parts. Calling the Scriptures old, yes, they are but they are still relevant. They are necessary to know sin, for what is sin? Sin is the transgression of Torah, sin is Torahlessness. The Word talks about the coming of the lawless one. What law is he going to be without? The law of the land? What land? Who’s land? The lawless one will be Torahless. Are you Torahless?

The opposite of Torahless is righteous. Righteousness is those commanded by God to be obeyed by man. Are you obeying the commands of God. Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, obey My commandments.” He also said, “Why do you call me Adonai Adonai and not do as I command?” And “Depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” Remember, lawlessness is Torahlessness.

This is the way of the Rabbi. To study to show yourself approved, rightly treading the Word of Truth. God’s Word is Truth.

You are loved,
cj

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Why do i choose to observe the Sabbath? The Feast Days? Eat Clean? Is it to be more holy than the next guy? No it is not. Is it because i think i am better than you? No, not by a long shot. Why do i seek to honor the Torah? i do it out of love for Adonai Yahoshua Messiah. His challenge to me, “If you love Me obey My commandment.” (John 14:15) In spit of popular belief He wasn’t talking about any new revelation but the revelation of Torah. Of which He is, the fullness of Elohim.

Many a doctrine is built upon the idea that the law has been done away with abolished. They talk about the new covenant in Messiah. They use verses like Romans 10:4 and say, “See, Jesus is the end of the law!” The more i study the more i realize how unprepared i truly was when entering ministry thirty years ago. i lacked the seriousness of understanding the original texts language and audience. What was being said, how was it being said, and to whom was it being said? These answers are necessary, for only then, can one truly know the depth of Elohim’s Word to us.

“For Messiah is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:4 ~

‘End’ in the Greek is Telos. Aristotle said, concerning mans final cause; “Everything has a telos, its final cause, which defines its nature.” Regarding ethics Aristotle said, “For humans, the telos, is living a virtuous life leading to flourishing happiness.”

Telos from the root Tello. Tello means: to set out for a definite point or goal. Telos although does mean end and has been used in termination. It is highly unlikely Paul was using it this way. Telos also means the end result of, it is used also in comparison, to which end. The end to which all things relate, commonality, custom.

Given the fullness of the definition we need to explore more the idea being presented in Romans 10:4. “For Messiah is the definite point of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Believes, is defined by action and activity not simply knowledge of for the demons believe and tremble. “For Messiah is the goal of the law, to bring righteousness to all who obey.” Law is Torah, it is better defined as the way, path or instruction. “For Messiah is the end result of the instruction for all who obey.” “For Messiah is the Telos of the Torah, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.”

There is a reason Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” For Messiah is our comparison of what it looks like to live out the Torah. It isn’t that Messiah ended the law but gave us a comparison. To walk out that which is commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by men. As Paul rights in Romans 2. “For it is not the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before God. No indeed, but it is the doers of the Torah who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:13 ~ What is righteousness? It is things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man. Righteousness is obedience.

It is the mark of all those recorded in the Hall of Faith, found in Hebrews. “And it was accredited to him as righteousness.” What was? It was his faith that led to action and activity. It was Abraham taking Isaac to the mountain. It was Noah building a boat not knowing what rain was. It was Enoch living out daily obedience. “And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” How does one earnestly seek Him? By obedience to His Word. “He has shown you owe man what is good and what does He require of you? To Act Justly, To Love Mercy, and To Walk Humbly with Him.” It is action and activity that reveals the heart.

Yahoshua said, “Take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He is the Word made flesh. He is our Rabbi, Teacher, who declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The way, Torah. The Truth, Your word is truth. The Life, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of Elohim. In other words, the only way to the Father is through the Word.

During the final scenes of this fallen world Revelation reveals the target of Satan’s wrath. “And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children. Those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yahoshua.” (Revelation 12:17) Two things to note here. First, they keep the commandments of Yahweh. Second, they hold to the testimony of Yahoshua. It isn’t those who seek righteousness within observance of Torah alone. It isn’t those who simply have an intellectual belief in Yahoshua. No, it is both and! “Who keeps the commandments and the testimony.” James puts it this way, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

The Word in every one of these instances is talking about the Tanakh. Yahoshua said, “On these two commandments you can hang the whole of Torah and the prophets. To love Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Action and activity. It is believing in something so passionately that you do all you can to obey.

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

Finding Joy in the Moment: A Guide to Mindful Living

Finding Joy in the Moment: A Guide to Mindful Living

I have spent a good portion of my life living for tomorrow. Hoping that tomorrow will be brighter. Singing, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun! Just thinkin’ about tomorrow, clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow ’til there’s none! When I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely. I just stick out my chin and grin and say: ‘Oh! The sun’ll come out tomorrow so ya gotta hang on ’til tomorrow come what may!’ Tomorrow, tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You’re always a day away!” (TOMORROW – Lyrics from Annie – C. Strouse/M. Charnin) Sadly, this is still true at times. It’s hard not to think about tomorrow. What will it bring, how will one get by never-mind survive?

In that time I have preached a number of messages on “Don’t worry about tomorrow!” With a scripture to match, Matthew 6:34. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” Is hoping for, or planning for a better tomorrow bad? Not necessarily, only when it becomes the crux of who you are. Not only is the passage found in Matthew great advice it is medically proven. Those that live a life of worry don’t have to worry long because their lives are usually shortened. Stress, can reduce the quality of life, cause heart problems and countless other medical challenges.

I am not saying throw caution to the wind, by no means. What I am trying to say is live in the moments of life. Don’t judge a book by its cover, open it up and read it. Don’t judge a plate by its appearance, take a bite. (Although, it’s probably a good idea to judge a plate by its smell. Don’t eat garbage.) When life is hard. Take a breath. Listen. Listen to the birds, and the leaves rustling in the wind. Listen to the dog barking and listen to the people laughter in the distance. Life, is happening around you, embrace it. Step into it.

I have started to embrace the moments. I try to be present in every conversation. What is the other person saying? How are they saying it and why are they saying it? Listening to what they are saying is key to living in the moment. This creates a different problem, living in the past. Often we are so wrapped up in ourselves that when someone is speaking our thoughts are on our response. We are not truly listening if we are preparing our response. Nor rushing to tell someone of our own like experience, minimizing theirs. It’s hard to do. You hear someone tell a story, it reminds you of a personal experience, and you want to share. What’s wrong with that? Well, nothing really, if you do it having listened first. We don’t do much listening anymore. Everyone wants to talk, but no one listens.

We live in the past, we worry about tomorrow, we are dying in the present. What does Yahoshua teach? Well, in that same passage of Scripture from earlier, He says this: “But seek first the kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” The instruction is easy to hear, easy to celebrate, easy to repeat, hard to live. What does it even mean to seek first the kingdom? In Adonai’s prayer He teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come.” His kingdom, living in the moment, is about living in the Kingdom. Luke 17:21 says: “…Because, you see, the Kingdom of Elohim is among you.”

We are the light of the world as we live in the kingdom. We have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Live in the moment. Love others. Sing for joy. Live at peace. Practice patience. Be kind. Be good. Be faithful. Be gentle. Have self-control. If you are in a gray period of life, know that just above the clouds the sun is shining. And if you are living in a dark place? Love harder. Sing louder. Choose shalom. Have patience. Be kinder. Be the good. Remain faithful. Be gentler. Pray for self-control.

I promise you, you don’t have to wait until tomorrow for the Kingdom of Elohim is among you. This is the way of the Rabbi.

You are loved,
cj

Understanding Truth in Religious Conversations

Understanding Truth in Religious Conversations

Part 6 of my on going communication with two Mormon Missionaries. I don’t know how many more of these there will be as we keep circling the same ground. Yet, as long as they reply I suppose I will likewise. (You can read a part one, two, three, four, five)

Gentlemen, 
Thank you. I am feeling better. However, work has been a bit stressful of late. My time has been occupied with things that pay the bills but drain the soul. 

I have no doubt that your prayers are sincere. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. Simply my goal was to point out that although our prayers are sincere, deception is real. The devil prowls around like a lion seeking whom he may devour. We must diligently seek Truth through prayer and His Word is Truth. The difference that we have is what we consider His Word to be. 

In Adonai’s prayer as you broke it down I would ask, what is the sin that we are repenting of? As you said, repent of all sins? What defines sin? Here I would like to point out that John defines sin in 1 John 3:4. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” The law in reference here is Torah, sin is the transgression of Torah. It isn’t debatable it is indeed what John wrote. 

We don’t differ on the significance of Yahoshua’s sacrifice either. It is absolutely necessary for salvation. Also, your understanding of the Passover and even Yahoshua’s time in Gethsemane, from what you state, we are similar. However, does this absolve us from obedience? Does it allow us to “do as thou wilt?” As the satanic bible declares will be the whole of the law? By no means. As you yourselves have stated we will know who belongs to the kingdom by their fruits. Our differences lie in what is the sign of good fruit? I say it is sealed by our partaking in the covenant. To put on the Sabbath like a wedding ring. The ring doesn’t save us but it shows the world to Whom we belong. 

I would point out that the cup that Yahoshua prayed about was not a new revelation either. It was the cup of the adulterous bride that we read about in Numbers 5:11-31. The test of adultery of which the people of Israel were guilty. We as well, before coming into covenant relationship with Yahweh through the work of Yahoshua. He drank our cup, took our guilt and shame, bore our iniquity, that we might be forgiven and live. 

There is no need to have deeper meaning within Passover if one truly understands Passover. Yahoshua, the Lamb of Elohim. The perfect sacrifice. We can debate the timing of the crucifixion. Some would say all took place according to the times set forth for Passover. That His death, and resurrection were indeed three literal days and nights. We read that the tomb was discovered empty in the early dawn of the first day. However, this doesn’t mean Yahoshua wasn’t gone long before. Perhaps arising just after sunset or at dusk at the end of the third day. Although, fascinating I don’t believe this is important to our discussion. 

The deep seated importance and symbolism of the Passover was there all along and for all to see. Indeed Yahoshua Himself highlighted these things through out His ministry. And as previously stated, began with the proclamation of John the Baptist on the shores of the Jordan. He said, “Behold the Lamb of Elohim Who takes away the sin of the world.” The breaking of bread has its meaning, the cup in which they partook has meaning. But also there is the idea of the covenant meal. Some refer to this as communion, I did for so time, or the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, etc. 

We first see the covenant meal between Abraham and Melchizedek. “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of Elohim Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of Elohim Most High. Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be Elohim Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Genesis 14:18-20. I would point out the beauty of Adonai’s prayer found in John 17. The whole thing is beautiful and revealing. An in-depth study reveals the vast richness of the heart of Elohim and His Son Yahoshua. One point I have tried to key in on is verses 17-19 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sake’s I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” What is truth? “Your word is truth.” His Word, Elohim’s Word, is truth. 

When Paul wrote to Timothy he said something very important. “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

There isn’t a need for new revelation, or clarification in Paul’s writing to Timothy. He simply states, “continue.” What we need can be found in what has been provided. Anything that alters that course is as Paul writes, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” This just before he says, “continue.” 

Gentlemen, I present my point simply. With the Tanakh, and specifically the Torah, I have all that I need to know, to grow and to be. There is nothing more required other than to believe, and to continue. I hope that your Thanksgivings are filled with family, friends, and the making of great memories.

You are loved, 
cj

Examining Scriptural Authority in Modern Contexts

Examining Scriptural Authority in Modern Contexts

An on going email conversation with two Mormon Missionaries. Part 5. i encourage you to go back and read parts one, two, three, and four. Although, it isn’t absolutely necessary it would be beneficial.

my friends,

Let me begin by saying there is no need to apologize or explain any delay. This is the joy of email. We get to take our time. Allow life to happen around us while at the same time continue in dialogue.

Have you ever used the word love to express a feeling? For example, one might say, “I love taco’s.” Or “I love my wife.” Or “I love my kids.” Or “I love God.” A couple of points we would agree, all of these things are awesome. In English, we understand that in each instance what we mean by love is different in each of these circumstances. It is true that i love taco’s and i love my kids. However, i do not love them in the same way obviously. Of course my love for Elohim is beyond the limits of our English definition of love. English is a terrible language, it is full of inconsistencies. Partly because over time meanings have changed but also the English language is lacking in depth. 

For a time i taught 6th grade. During class one day we were having a discussion on classic works. We were reading as a class “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens. As well discussing classic Christmas songs. For the sixth grade mind this wasn’t too far a leap. In the discussion one of the kids genuinely asked, “Why are they putting on gay clothes?” There is a classic Christmas Carol wherein there is a line, “Now we dawn our gay apparel.” Thinking they were putting on flamboyant gay-pride sort of clothing. This allowed for the conversation on language evolution. Gay once meant happy, to be gay didn’t mean to be homosexual, but to be joyful. So context, culture, language, audience, these things matter.

More deeply let us consider the letter ‘J’. When originally introduced had a soft ‘Y’ sound like the Latin ‘J’ still has to this day. For example the name Juan still carries the soft ‘Y’ in its pronunciation. However, even here there has been an evolution of the ‘J’ from that found in ‘Wahn’ to ‘Hey’. It is why the Hispanic cultures pronounce Jesus, Hey-Soos. It is the evolution of language and it can be found in every tongue. Therefore, we must be careful when interpreting things to always go back to as close to the original as possible. Who was the intended target? What was the overarching context? What other words are used that may alter the meanings? How would the original hearers have received the information. Perhaps most importantly from Whom is the origin and what have we been told about Him?

For instance, in Hosea, a book of redemption. A call to repentance, to turn from doing your own way to following the Way of Adonai. We read, “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of Adonai are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9

Without these steps we are guessing at meanings, applying modern understandings. Over simplifying or over complicating words and meanings. We must be intellectually honest with the text in order to truly understand its meaning. As you state, “So what matters is whether the man who translated it had authority from God to do so.” i would assert that the same intended original meaning, is the same intended meaning for today. For Elohim is the same, yesterday, today and forever. This is His nature, this is what He says of Himself. The origin of the written Word is the Word Himself.  

When talking about authority we must take into account all of this, culture, context, language etc. Who is authorized to speak on behalf of Elohim? Is precisely the point i am trying to make. “But even if we — or, for that matter, an angel from heaven! — were to announce to you some so-called “Good News” contrary to the Good News we did announce to you, let him be under a curse forever!” Galatians 1:8

In all of this what is the test? i would agree it is the Holy Spirits work within the believer to teach and lead in all righteousness. Yet still how do we test the Spirit as we are called to do? We test the Spirit by the Word. Did you know that within the pages of the Quran the reader is instructed to pray for wisdom? 

“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” Surah Taha 20:114
“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient” Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153                                        
“Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves in prayer” Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:1-2

We must be careful when instructing others to pray over material, books, writings, notes, even situations. “Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

“You believe that “God is one”? Good for you! The demons believe it too — the thought makes them shudder with fear!” James 2:19

“The fact is that such men are pseudo-emissaries: they tell lies about their work and masquerade as emissaries of the Messiah. There is nothing surprising in that, for the Adversary himself masquerades as an angel of light; so it’s no great thing if his workers masquerade as servants of righteousness. They will meet the end their deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“Now the Bereans here were of nobler character than the ones in Thessalonica; they eagerly welcomed the message, checking the Tanakh every day to see if the things Paul was saying were true.” Acts 17:11

This brings me to your point of the Canon of Scripture. The council of Nicea was an abomination. They lacked authority and were lead by pagan “converts” lacking wisdom, knowledge, and integrity. i am sorry you miss understood my point about John and Revelation. Here i was simply trying to state that of all the writers of what we call the New Testament. Only John makes a reference to His letter being for all ages to the end. Not in so many words but the emphasis is there. My point, simply, that Matthew, Mark, Luke, Peter, James, Jude, even Paul himself didn’t write with the intention of Moses. In that what they were saying, wasn’t going to supersede the Torah or the Tanakh. They quoted from the Tanakh. In Acts we read, “On hearing it, they praised Elohim; but they also said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are, and they are all zealots for the Torah.’” Acts 21:20

Peter actually speaks directly against the idea that Paul was somehow preaching against the Torah. He writes, “Indeed, he speaks about these things in all his letters. They contain some things that are hard to understand, things which the uninstructed and unstable distort, to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:16

From this, how do we know one is truly walking in the Word? Anointed and worthy of listening? What are the fruits we are to look for? Yes, we can certainly see from ones life, are they a good person. But there are a lot of “good people,” doing a lot of good things, but they deny the Savior Yahoshua. Are these fruits still good to consume, when it comes to how to walk out a life of Faith in Messiah? No, even if we can learn from them on how to care for those around us. We aren’t to listen to them in matters of the Spirit and of Faith.

How do we know someone is walking with Elohim in order to avoid, confusion, contentions, and contradictions? Do they honor the Sabbath? In the book of Acts there are 85 references to the early believers observing the Sabbath Day. Do they honor the Feast Days? Paul in more than one letter talked about His desire to get back to Jerusalem to honor the Feasts. These are the marks of the followers of Elohim. To make this point further let me ask a question, what is sin? Based on the definition of sin, then what is repentance? What did Yahoshua mean when He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.”?

First, what is sin? For the simplest most straightforward answer we can look to John. John writes, “Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah — indeed, sin is violation of Torah.” 1 John 3:4 – Of course as i have stated in previous emails the word Torah is translated law. Most Bibles, of course, read “sin is lawlessness.” Truer yet, sin is Torahlessness. 

There are several references to the lawless one. Also known as the Anti-Christ. Anti or opposition/opposing. What law is he without? What law does he oppose? It isn’t the law of the land, it is indeed the Torah. He opposes Elohim and His Word, therefore he is referred to as Torahless or lawless. 

If we are to repent when we come into relationship with Yahoshua, what is it that we are repenting of? Sin? Which is? It is of course what John sights, “Sin is violation of Torah.” Yahoshua is said to be the Word made flesh. Another quote from John. He said, that He only speaks what the Father speaks and does what the Father does. John 5:19.

To close this point for now let me finish my thought with this quote of Yahoshua. “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?” John 5:46-47. This is the point. We only know sin by the Torah. We only know repentance, through Torah. You only truly understand Yahoshua through Torah.

When Yahoshua, made the statement that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The hearers would have recognized the saying. For you see, the Torah was known as, The Way, Path, and Instruction. It was known as the Truth, “Your Word is Truth.” It was known as the Life, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim.” 

There is much more that can be said on this subject. However, this is also a good stopping point. 

If you are just joining the conversation, please go back and read parts one, two, three, and four. (links above in the introduction)

You are loved,
cj

Understanding Yahoshua’s (Jesus’) Teachings

Understanding Yahoshua’s (Jesus’) Teachings
Daily writing prompt
What’s something you believe everyone should know.
View all responses

An on going email conversation with two Mormon Missionaries. Part 4. i encourage you to go back and read parts one, two and three. Although, it isn’t absolutely necessary it would be beneficial.

Greetings Elders,

First, thank you for your in-depth and thoughtful response. There is much we agree on but of course this discourse is intended to highlight our differences. This not to argue but to convince, in a debate of ideas and understanding. Is this not the concept of disciple making? To present truth in hopes that one receive it and choose it . . . the very idea of changing ones mind. To this i venture. 

A divergence of understanding appears to be in the idea of what was intended by the Sermon on the Mount. Although, i do agree it was to present clarity and a deeper understanding of how to live life. In my previous response i mentioned definitions for what i believe much of this debate hinges on these understandings. As you mentioned Yahoshua said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17). – If we stop here, even with little understanding, we should be able to draw a conclusion. What Yahoshua intended the meaning to be.

Even more so, His audience who were mostly Jews of the tribe of Judah. As well, ‘Benjamites’ of the tribe of Benjamin. Of course, perhaps a remnant of the other tribes. Certainly some Levites, but at this time in history only the southern kingdom had been regathered after the Babylonian exile. As we would later read, Yahoshua says, that even those remaining would soon be scattered. So what was His intended meaning? To abolish is to eradicate, to do away with completely. Whereas, He did not come to do such a thing but to fulfill them. What fulfillment was necessary? The idea here is not fulfill in terms of ending them. 

As you quoted from Alma 34: 14. “And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.” i would have to agree. Yahoshua is the perfect atoning sacrifice. This Atonement was necessary and did fulfill once for all the requirement of death for sin. It did not end the necessity for sacrifice altogether however, as i alluded to in my previous email. The sacrificial system will return during the millennial reign of Yahoshua. Why? Briefly so that i may make my point. The Levitical Priesthood will be reinstated and as we read in the Torah, the Levites were not to own land. They were not given a portion of the inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. Rather, within the tribes they were given homes. This was due to their intended purpose as priests and ministers. The sacrificial system was, of course, pleasing to Elohim. It also provided offerings to take care of the Levites with food and provisions. This again will be the case.

So back to the idea of fulfillment. If there is no temple and no Levitical Priesthood there is no opportunity for sacrifice. Nor is there a need to provide for a Levitical Priesthood within the realm of tribal land. So with this knowledge let us look at possible definitions for the term fulfill based on this context.

Fulfilled: “to fulfill” is used in Torah to reference sacrifice. In the context stated above this seems to correlate well with what Yahoshua was presenting. As John the Baptist declared on the shores of the river. “Behold the Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world.” Further, a deeper examination of the word fulfill shows it means to “fill up.” It also means “to make full” or “to bring fullness.” If we were to stop at verse 17, these ideas might not work entirely by themselves. However, it doesn’t end with 17. Yahoshua continues; “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away. Not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

Now in light of verse 18, the definition “to bring fullness” makes much more sense than to end. Here, accomplish, becomes the defining word of the statement, which is to say; “end of.” So what then defines accomplished? A new heaven and a new earth. To my knowledge this has yet to occur. Could we still debate the matter even in light of verse 18? Perhaps, if we wanted to argue semantics. However i feel verse 19 closes any such debate. “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever does them and teaches them, will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” It seems quite clear to me, a westerner peering into a culture not my own. A simple graft into the natural branch as Paul writes in Romans. What is being communicated. 

With all of this, we must then take into account, who again was His intended audience at this moment? This will reveal even greater understanding as we listen with their ears. You see the Torah, was intended as a permanent covenant and the Sabbath as an eternal symbol of that covenant. (See Exodus 31:13 & 17). It was instituted not with the giving of the Torah but at creation itself. To do away with it would be to call Elohim a liar, heaven forbid we do such a thing. To say Yahoshua presented a different gospel message is to call Him a false prophet. A liar even, heaven forbid!    

Law: For further clarification our modern translations do humanity an injustice as they have translated Torah to Law when a more true definition of Torah is: Instruction, or Teaching and Instruction. So are we to say that YHWH’s teaching and instruction is done away with? By no means, may it not be so . . . Yahoshua brought depth of meaning and an exemplary lifestyle. To say it wasn’t possible to know all that would happen, cannot be said, for Yahoshua taught from the Tanakh. “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27

Perfect Law: Regarding “Perfect Law” we can take from it the same principle as above and say, “Perfect Instruction.” When Yahoshua was confronted and asked, “’Teacher, what is the greatest commandment (OR instruction)?’ Yahoshua replied, ‘You shall love Adonai your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law (Instruction) and the Prophets.” The response of the Pharisees and Scribes was one of acceptance. Why? Because it wasn’t new. Yahoshua was quoting from the Torah. He was in fact quoting from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. “Hear, O Israel:” This phrase in Hebrew is ‘SHEMA’ and it means ‘Hear and Obey’.

The whole passage here in Deuteronomy became known as the Shema, a daily prayer. “Hear and Obey, O people Israel, YHWH our Elohim, YHWH is one. You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Although, this is where Yahoshua’s quote ends. We can conclude very reasonably that those hearing Him would have known the exact context of it. Continuing with verse 6-9. “You shall teach them diligently to your children. You shall talk of them regularly. When you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 

There was nothing new being presented. Only a fuller understanding. You have been told My people how to live and how to worship and how to honor. Yahoshua adds to the answer to the Scribes and Pharisees. “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law (instruction) and the Prophets.” Here Yahoshua draws from Leviticus 19:18. “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am YHWH.” This was surely a stinging rebuke to the Scribes and Pharisee. Who were not only jealous of Yahoshua’s following, but His command of Scripture as well. Are these perfect law? Yes, i would agree but they are not new revelations but a deeper, fuller understanding of Torah. It is why an understanding of Torah is absolutely necessary to discern what is truth and what is a lie. To see what has always been and what has been added or even removed.  

The Word made Flesh: The Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim and the Word was Elohim.” Later in the same chapter he writes, “. . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Isaiah says, “. . . and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is translated, ‘Elohim with us.’” Understanding this makes it difficult to believe that Yahoshua would change the character of Elohim. It also makes it difficult to believe that He would alter the instruction or nature of Elohim. The Psalmist writes, “The Torah of YHWH is perfect. It revives the soul. The testimony of YHWH is trustworthy. It makes wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7). Yahoshua is recorded by John in Chapter 17 in what is known as the High Priestly Prayer. He says: “I have given them Your Word.” He then says, “Set them apart for holiness, by means of the Truth. Your Word is Truth.” The very idea that Elohim would change after chastising, rebuking, and exiling His set apart people is nowhere found in Scripture. Yahoshua came and said, and did, only what was instructed by the Father.

Contradiction: Clearly, as stated and presented here, there is no room for contradiction. If there is one present, there are only two conclusions. One, we have misinterpreted a passage or two, there is a false teacher/prophet spouting things they should not. i would continue but i fear to beat a dead horse.

i am sorry to hear of Elder –– departure i hope that all is well and it is not for any major concerns, health or otherwise. Will his email still be active? Corresponding with him and you via email would still be something i would hope to continue. 

Until the next . . .
You are loved,
cj