Tag: Yeshua

The Importance of Obeying God’s Instructions in Scripture

The Importance of Obeying God’s Instructions in Scripture

A few years back I was watching a YouTube video. The video was made by an admitted atheist. In it he was praising the efforts of someone who admitted to trying to proselytize him. However, there was a remark in it that I found interesting, recently, as I was reminded of this video. He was given a small pocket sized Bible of the New Testament, along with Psalms and Proverbs. He said, “Psalms is in the New Testament right?” I don’t blame him for not knowing, that isn’t what I am getting at. What I am getting at is many believe this idea. Many think the Old Testament is irrelevant. They believe this except when they can find generic support for their life.

It isn’t just the idea of finding passages to draw strength from. It is the fact that they deny the relevance of other passages they don’t. The translators haven’t helped humanity either. For example in Proverbs 28:9 it says: “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” There are two critical errors in word translation choice that has aided and abetted this idea. First hearing, this is the word שָׁמַע shâmaʻ. This Hebrew word means, intelligent hearing, listening and obeying. This wisdom is telling the reader, don’t turn away from listening to and obeying. What are we the readers not to turn from? The translators would have you think law. Many read this as a bad thing now. “The law is done away with,” they will say. “It has been nailed to the cross,” they will say. Both statements made in illiterate ignorance.

You see the word law is תּוֹרָה tôrâh. The Torah is God’s instruction to His people. So Proverbs 28:9 says: “If one turns his ear from listening to and obeying the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.” I didn’t say it, Proverbs said it. And the presenters of pocket sized Bibles thought it was important enough to include with the ‘New Testament.’ Which isn’t New, but a retelling of the Old. A call to obedience and a pathway of forgiveness through Yahoshua, (Jesus).

John describes sin in 1 John 3:4. He writes, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Here again translators make an error. But, even if it wasn’t an error, and if law was a good translation, what John is saying should draw one’s attention. He who practices or abides by a different instruction is living in sin. Sin is being outside of God’s instruction, His Way.

Yahoshua says, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 – What are some things He commanded? Well, how about Matthew 5:17-19? “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill (To bring a deeper understanding). For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Many will say that we are incapable of following the whole of the law or Torah. And they would be correct. You see I am not a woman, so I cannot, nor should I, follow the instructions for women. I am also not a Levit so am not part of the Levitical priesthood. That also takes out those instructions. I am not a slave owner, or a king, reducing the instruction further. There is no standing Temple so I am not bound by those instructions either. What am I capable of then? Well, I can eat those things God calls food. I can make the distinction between clean and unclean, holy and unholy. I can honor the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.

In other words, I can certainly keep the 10 Commandments, and the dietary instructions. I can keep His Feast Days and Sabbaths. I then can study the Word daily and learn and grow in my understanding, adjusting my life accordingly. This is the Way of the Rabbi. This is how Paul taught. His instructions do not contradict that which came before because if they did . . . By definition, he would be a false prophet or teacher and we shouldn’t listen to him. However, I don’t believe he was, I simply believe what Peter says about his writings. “And count the patience of our Master as salvation. Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand. Which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away. Especially, with the error of lawless (Torahless) people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Master and Savior Yahoshua Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:15-17)

Let me leave you with this statement from Yahoshua (Jesus) to ponder from Matthew 7:21-23. “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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Torahlessness).’”

This is the Way of instruction,
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

Understanding the Role of Rabbi vs Teacher

Understanding the Role of Rabbi vs Teacher

i have thought about this series for some time. How do i share my understanding in a way that leads you, the reader, into curiosity? To inspire a deeper look into Scripture. To light a fire within you to be like the people of Berea. Who received with joy, the words being taught to them. But then went and searched the Scriptures to see whether or not it was true. There are plenty of posts you can go over in which i will have touched on these ideas presented here. Although, not so succinctly as i will try in this series of posts. i will present the options and then give my ‘why’s’ trying to be fair to both sides in the end. These are the topics i will present over the next few days. Yahoshua or Jesus (see last post); Rabbi or Teacher (Current Post); Adonai Elohim or Lord God; Feast Days or Holidays; Sabbath or Sunday. In the end it will be my goal to have persuaded you to begin to evaluate your ‘why’s’. To ask the question of yourself, “Am I using mans justification or Elohim’s Word, to determine my beliefs?” Let’s continue.

Rabbi or Teacher:
This comparison isn’t all that consequential. The point that i want to make with it is the mind set it produces. Let me start with simple definitions from dictionary.com. First, “teacher: a person who teaches or instructs, especially as a profession; instructor.” Second, “rabbi: the chief religious official of a synagogue, trained usually in a theological seminary and duly ordained, who delivers the sermon at a religious service and performs ritualistic, pastoral, educational, and other functions in and related to the role of a spiritual leader of Judaism and the Jewish community.” In most schools, elementary to university, a teacher teaches the student to know information. It is the teachers goal to instruct their student in a way that they become knowledgeable in whatever subject. A Rabbi on the other hand was to make mini versions of themselves. They would instruct their disciples in a manor that reproduced a mirror copy. In other words the disciples goal was to become just like his rabbi.

In Matthew 23:8 Yahoshua says, “But you are not to let yourselves be called ‘Rabbi’. Because you have one Rabbi, and you are all each other’s brothers.” Given the definitions above you can see why this was important to emphasize. If the goal of a Rabbi was to reproduce himself it stands to reason that Yahoshua would warn against it. The goal now is to become like The Rabbi, Yahoshua. For He alone is who we are to be like. Let’s take a look at Philippians 3.

Paul, who was a Pharisee and well learned scholar of Torah said this about his knowledge. As well most likely a mirror copy of his rabbi. “Yes, I gave it all up in order to know Him [Yahoshua Messiah]. That is, to know the power of His resurrection. And the fellowship of His sufferings as I am being conformed to his death. So that somehow I might arrive at being resurrected from the dead.” He was no longer concerned about imitating a man like himself. He wanted to imitate The Rabbi, Messiah Yahoshua. Paul continues his discourse to the Philippians in this way. “It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal — no. I keep pursuing it. In the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yeshua took hold of me. Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize offered by Elohim’s upward calling in the Messiah Yahoshua. Therefore, as many of us as are mature, let us keep paying attention to this; and if you are differently minded about anything, Elohim will also reveal this to you. Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached.”

When Paul later writes about imitating him, he emphasizes the point by saying, “For I imitate Messiah.” The idea is that we become like our Rabbi Yahoshua. To do what He did, say what He said, walk as He walked. Yahoshua said, “These things that you have seen Me do, even greater things will you do when I go to the Father.” Why would they do those things? Because, they were to be like Him, mirror images of Messiah. It is where the term ‘Christian’ comes from. It was a derogatory term that was warn as a badge of honor. To be called a ‘Christian’ meant that you were a mirror image of Messiah. Being called a ‘Christian’ today does not carry the same meaning.

The goal i have now is to be a disciple of Rabbi Yahoshua. To learn from Him and to be like Him in word and deed. There is an expression. It is “to walk in the dust of the rabbi.” It can also be a blessing: “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” It means to walk so closely to Him that you begin to mimic even His mannerisms. For a long time i looked at Jesus as my teacher. He was instructing me and that was sufficient. But as i walked that road i found it easy, wide, and unchallenging. Oh sure i messed up but grace made everything inconsequential. Now with the fuller understanding of the idea of Yahoshua as Rabbi being a ‘Christian’ has a whole new meaning. Sure i don’t always get it right and i am far from perfect. Yet, i strive to be more and more like my Rabbi, Messiah Yahoshua, every moment of every day.

i don’t want to be merely taught by Yahoshua, i want to be like Him. i want to be covered in the dust of my Rabbi. On the flip side, i hope these posts teach you. i hope they stir a longing within you to desire the Way of The Rabbi. May you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi Yahoshua.

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

Yahoshua vs Jesus: Exploring Name Significance

Yahoshua vs Jesus: Exploring Name Significance

i have thought about this one for some time. How do i share my understanding in a way that leads you, the reader, into curiosity? To inspire a deeper look into Scripture. To light a fire with in you to be like the people of Berea. Who received with joy, the words being taught to them. But then went and searched the Scriptures to see whether or not it was true. There are plenty of posts you can go over in which i will have touched on these ideas presented here. Although, not so succinctly as i will try in this series of posts. i will present the options and then give my ‘why’s’ trying to be fair to both sides in the end. These are the topics i will present over the next few days. Yahoshua or Jesus; Rabbi or Teacher; Adonai Elohim or Lord God; Feast Days or Holidays; Sabbath or Sunday. In the end it will be my goal to have persuaded you to begin to evaluate your ‘why’s’. To ask the question of yourself, “Am I using mans justification or Elohim’s Word, to determine my beliefs?” Let’s begin.

Yahoshua or Jesus:
The first question i usually get is, “Why not Yeshua?” The reason i choose to use the name Yahoshua is rooted in the Torah. A story of victory, and salvation. Taking what was common and presenting it as redeemed. The Name has meaning that is not filtered through transliteration or translations or passed through cultures. It is pure and it teaches, the name alone teaches. It originates with Joshua son of Nun. Well, there isn’t definitive more assumed but it seems historically reasonable. Joshua in Hebrew is Yahoshua. In Numbers 13:16 we read where Moses gives Hoshea the name Yahoshua. Hoshea by itself means Salvation. Yah is a condensed version of Yahweh or Yahovah which we can see in Psalm 68:4. Of course you will need to get a hold of a Bible that at least references the Hebrew names. The 1599 GNV is available online at Bible Gateway (see the footnotes). So Moses was reminding the people through the name of his successor. Yah is Salvation. Yah’s Salvation was leading them to the promised land. The same is true for our Messiah. Yahoshua, Yah’s Anointed One is our Salvation. Through Him alone we enter the Promised Land. Although similar the same argument cannot be made for the name Yeshua. We do not say HalleluYes, we say, HalleluYah, which is Praise Yah!

Jesus is a transliteration of Iesus, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Yahoshua. The letter ‘J’ was not introduced into the language until the 17th century. When it was introduced, it had a soft sound. It was used the same way as in Hispanic cultures today, like in the name Juan. In Greek however the sound of the I is literal I E SUUS. It is completely different. If we take the name Juan, the English transliteration is John. This might be fine for the average Joe but we are talking about the Name of Elohim! “You are not to use lightly the name of Adonai your Elohim. Because, Adonai will not leave unpunished someone who uses His name lightly.” Exodus 20:7 tells us. We should be intellectually honest. At minimum, we should call our Messiah by the English version of His Hebrew name, Joshua. Still even greater is honoring His given name, Yahoshua. Even if you choose a different spelling. However, i find my argument pretty compelling for Yahoshua.

For more on this topic you can check out the menu bar, “Why Yahoshua and other names and titles.”

Feel free to leave a comment below or ask a question@thewayoftherabbi.com

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

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is from the breath of Elohim. Making it a profitable instrument for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that the man of Elohim may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

Paul writes to a young pastor in Ephesus. He writes to encourage him. He writes to instruct him. He writes to warn him. The root of this letter for me is found in the passage above. Where Paul writes about the importance of Scripture as the foundation for ministry and life. We in the west are spoiled with the written Word. Most homes have a Bible whether it is read or collecting dust on their coffee table. Still many others have one in a box that they forgot is even there. In Timothy’s time the Word was not as available, not even close. For now we are spoiled. We are so accustomed to having the Word even at our fingertips. In fact, everywhere we go whether, on a computer or a smartphone, or the beautiful crinkle of a turning page. Absolutely, no one can use the excuse that they don’t have a Bible. Everyone has access to the Word.

Paul writes to Timothy and to you this instruction. “But as for you, continue in the things you have learned. In which you firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. Which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahoshua.” Paul writes this just before the passage above. The Scripture is paramount to instruction, conviction, correction and for training in righteousness. It is for our equipping to carryout the work of Elohim set before us.

Peter writes these words in his letter to the remnant of Jewish believers in Messiah. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. But as He who called you is Holy, you also be Holy in all your conduct. Since it is written, ‘You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.‘” (1 Peter 1:16) Where does Paul and Peter get such wild ideas? Well from the Torah! Of course. “And Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel. Tell them, You shall be holy. For I Yahweh your Elohim am Holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father. You shall keep the Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your Elohim. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal. I am Yahweh your Elohim.‘” This from Leviticus 19:1-4 which isn’t even the more common reference to this quote. Rather Leviticus 11:44-45 is often sited. “For I am Yahweh your Elohim. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy. For I am Holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your Elohim. You shall therefore be holy for I am holy.”

Do you know what the word holy means? If you look it up in a dictionary you will get definitions like, sacred, revered, purity. These are not wrong definitions but they are not whole either. The word Holy in all of these instances comes from the words Qadash and Qadosh. Qadash and Qadosh are Hebrew and they have similar meanings. However, when used together they present a very powerful message. “Be Qadash, for I am Qadosh.” It means this, Be (Qadash) clean, consecrated, dedicated, pure, sanctified, set apart; for I am (Qadosh) Elohim, Holy-One, Sanctuary.

We set ourselves apart when we follow the Way of the Rabbi. Yahoshua, followed Torah, He was after all sinless. He observed the Sabbath. He ate clean. He honored His earthly parents. This intrigue’s me. Here we have our Messiah following the ways of the Father. Later, Paul writes, “imitate me as I also imitate Messiah.” Yet, so many find ways not to. Loophole after loophole because they have found comfort in their way. Yet very clearly we are taught to look to all of Scripture. We are told to live to a standard of Qadash because we serve Yahweh who is Qadosh! Is there grace? Of course there is. Is there forgiveness? Absolutely! Is there still a standard by which we are called to live? Without a doubt.

Hebrews 8 and Jeremiah 11 tell us of the coming renewed covenant. In which Elohim will write the law on our hearts and minds. So many will say that this is for Israel. They would be right. However, Romans 11 puts this in perspective when we read that we are grafted into Israel. This is not replacement theology it is adoption theology. We are adopted into the people of Elohim as Galatians 3 tells us. “You are all sons of Elohim through faith in Messiah Yahoshua. For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Messiah Yahoshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

What was Israel’s sin? Ezekiel writes, “Her priest have done violence to my Torah. They 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. They have disregarded My Sabbaths so that I am profaned among them.” This is on Paul’s heart when he writes to the Romans. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy (Qadash) and acceptable to Elohim. Which is your spiritual act of Worship. Do not be conformed to this WORLD, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. That by testing you may discern what is the will of Elohim. What it is that is good and acceptable and perfect.” Later in the same 12th chapter he writes, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

In Isaiah and Ezekiel we read about a time to come and what will be expected. Not just of Israel by blood but also by those grafted into Israel by adoption. Isaiah writes, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath. From doing your pleasure on My holy day. Calling the Sabbath a delight and the Holy day of Yahweh honorable. If you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure talking idly. Then you shall take delight in Yahweh and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth. I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14) Ezekiel writes in the 44th chapter this (23-24). “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common. Showing them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. In a dispute they shall act as Judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep My Torah and My statutes and all My appointed feasts, and they shall keep My Sabbaths Holy.”

We are to take on the full counsel of Scripture. The Berean’s were of more noble character. They eagerly received the words of the Apostles. Then, they searched the Scriptures to verify the teachings. This is what we are called to do! What Scriptures are we to search? The same ones that Paul tells Timothy to study. It is the Torah, and the Tanakh. We call it today the Old Testament. It is what Yahoshua quoted from and taught from and lived from. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” What will you do with the words of Yahweh, “Be Holy (Qadash), for I am Holy (Qadosh)?” May you search the Scriptures for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that you, a child of Elohim, may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

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

Journey Update (part 1)

As the blog heading says, this is my journey with Yahoshua and in the description i mention that the writings you will read here are inspired by that journey. So i thought i would share an update on where i am on this journey; What is it that i believe and why i believe. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he writes, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12 ESV) This passage and this one from Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does YHWH require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Are my starting points. We are called to be like Him, “Be holy for I am Holy,” and as Paul also writes, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.”

Back in 2017 i put down most commentaries when reading and picked up a regular dictionary and a strongs as well as an interlinear concordance. In 2020 i put down nearly the rest of the commentaries i was still using and really began word studies and reading more history. What i began to discover was that i relied on the interpretations and customs of man which is exactly what the Pharisees had done and it was what Yahoshua was calling them out on . . . Not the observance of Torah, but of the traditions of man.

First lets talk about the name Jesus. This one had me spun for some time. Why do we use the name Jesus, when we also translate the name into English with the name Joshua? And why do we use those names at all when we know His Hebrew name is יֵשׁוּעַ which would be transliterated in modern Hebrew to Yeshua? This led me down another path on language. The letter J didn’t come into existence until 1650 and when it did it had a soft Y sound. Therefore the name Jesus as we know it today would have sounded more like its origin Yeshua, Yesus, a deeper study led me to the fact that in the Greek the S on the end (Ιησούς prior to 1650 transliterated Iesus) would have been silent so it would sound like, Yesu, which if we equate it to modern English it would be like calling a person named Joshua, Josh.

Somewhere along the line, much like the game operator, where you start by whispering something in the ear of one person. Who then whispers it into another until it goes around the circle. When it gets back to the beginning its more likely than not something different, even if its close, to the original. We have been playing operator and few seem to care about the original because they have become accustomed to the alternate. Yet we still use the excuse of transliteration, when its the evolution of language. i had to ask myself if i had gone on a long vacation and while i was away the sound of CH in my name went from K to M and the R became silent and suddenly everyone was reading my name off my passport and calling me Mistopher, would i know they were talking to me?

Yes, Yahoshua, this is how scholars render the name for Joshua son of Nun, who we understand to have the same given name as our Savior. This is why i use this spelling. Also, it has a pretty cool story of development which leads me to believe it was no coincidence. (See this Post, ‘Why Yahoshua, and other names and titles’ for a starting point on reasons why i choose Yahoshua), is the Word made flesh, He was in the beginning and He is at the end, the Aleph – Tav or the Alpha – Omega, so i am pretty sure He knows who we are talking about. However, with that i also believe that as we grow in knowledge and understanding we should take into account the commandment; “You shall not take the name of YHWH your Elohim in vain, for YHWH will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

We have made this to mean simply, by using the name Jesus or saying God in slang or a curse word is taking His name in vain. Although, partially true, it is much deeper than this. It also, includes, attributing sayings to Him, “Thus says the Lord . . .” Etc. that He did not say or believing that His Word is inconsequential as Israel did often, “Her priests have done violence to My law 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.” (Ezekiel 22:26). They would justify this by saying they haven’t been punished, when it was simply Elohim’s patience, that sought from them a repentant heart. His NAME is Holy! Isaiah (9:6) writes, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Elohim, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Did you read that, “Mighty Elohim, Everlasting Father,” this is specifically talking about Yahoshua, who most modern Christians call Jesus. Now i came to know Yahoshua through the name Jesus, i appreciate the name Jesus, i believe in the Power of the Name of the Word made flesh, the Lamb of Elohim, Emmanuel which means Elohim (God) with us. However, knowing what i know now makes it difficult for me call the Messiah anything other than His given name, Yahoshua. Even saying, Yesu, seems disrespectful to me. He is Mighty Elohim! The I AM!

i hope this makes sense to you, really i do. In the coming posts i will be discussing my beliefs on the Sabbath, Feast Days, Torah, among other things. Although, you can go into my archives and read about them there here, i will be spelling out the “WHY.” Anyway, i hope this at least gets you to ask the question, “WHY?” Just like when you were a kid and your parent told you to do something and you asked, “Why, why, why?” May you be so curious . . . For it is this curiosity that has made me to fall in love with Yahoshua ha’Mashiah all over again and in a much deeper way than ever before.

You are loved,
cj