We are collecting all the things YHWH/God said into less than 1 min videos. Follow our youtube Playlist to see all the shorts as they drop. The first will drop tomorrow at 10 am EST. Hope you enjoy them and learn something too!
We also have a Jesus said Playlist, those videos drop at 12 pm EST.
Hope you check them out!
Before getting into this, most of what is to come is opinion. There isn’t any scripture which says, “This is why there is a second Sabbath Feast at the end of Unleavened Bread.” However, there is history written and events which occurred. Maybe as you learn of these events something more personal will come to you. Let’s take a look and see what jumps out shall we?
Let us set the scene, put our mindset in line with the Israelites and the mixed multitude with them at that time. In just a matter of days they went through several disastrous plagues – some they literally experienced, some they watched as their Egyptian neighbors experienced them. They acted in faith as instructed by Yah/God by sacrificing a lamb and putting the blood on their doors. Then they sat in their homes as there was wailing and screaming all over the land as mothers found their first born sons dead. Exodus 12 tells us the Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave. When the Israelites asked them for silver and gold and clothing, they gave it – here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?! Scripture says, “they plundered the Egyptians.”
Off they go, try and put yourself in that mindset – and you are off. From slaves for 430 years to escapees just like that. Imagine the thoughts as they first set out, their minds racing, maybe their hearts as well. One foot in front of the other, no idea where you are going, maybe looking over your shoulder expecting to see an army coming after you. How long before the terror of what was behind turned into the terror of what was ahead? One day, two day, three day … Exodus 13 says, they traveled by day and by night. And where do you end up? An Egyptian military outpost – that is what history records. There is said to have been an outpost on the Red Sea, which makes sense since across the sea is an enemy. This isn’t recorded in Scripture though, what is recorded is Yah told Moses to tell the people … they are coming after you.
There they are, Exodus 14 says they lifted up their eyes and the Egyptians were marching after them! They were terrified and cried out to Yah. What did God say about that? He said, “Why are you crying to Me? Tell the people to go forward.” Yeah, not quite the response we want to hear is it? Is there a message in that for you?
Jewish history records the Red Sea split on the eve of the seventh day after the Exodus. This would be the last day of unleavened bread, a Sabbath day. The first vision which came to my mind is child birth. The Passover meal was the beginning of labor pains, crossing through the Red Sea was the birth.
Then I thought about the foreshadowing of these Set Apart Appointed Times of God and how Jesus fits in and what they mean to a Christian. Each of us have experienced this journey in different time frames, minutes, days, years, it’s a personal journey.
This is the Matthew and Mark version of events. And this is where the Christians who actually cross over the Red Sea stop and make camp. But that isn’t were the stories ends in the Bible. The Red Sea and Jesus are not the end, they are just the beginning. Typically, verses 24-25 in Exodus 14 are skipped over along with the events recorded by Luke and John.
“Now it came about during the morning watch that Adonai looked at the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud (Exodus 14:24) … Traveling the seven miles to Emmaus and Jesus came and walked with them and beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them about himself. (Luke 24) (TLV)
“… and caused the army of the Egyptians to panic. He took off their chariot wheels and caused them to drive heavily, so that the Egyptians said, “Get away from the presence of Israel! For Adonai fights for them against the Egyptians!” (Exodus 14:24-25) … As the disciples were behind locked doors, Jesus came and said “Peace be with you.” And asked, Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds, I told you about this, it is what is written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms? (Luke 24, John 20) (TLV)
Moving into the Seventh Day Sabbath of the Unleavened Bread Feast journey.
“But Bnei-Yisrael had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were like walls to them on their right hand and on their left. Adonai saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When Israel saw the great work that Adonai did over the Egyptians, the people feared Adonai, and they believed in Adonai and in His servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31 TLV) … Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe!” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Yeshua said to Him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed? Blessed are the ones who have not seen and yet have believed!” Then Yeshua led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands[e] and blessed them. … And while blessing them, He departed from them and was taken up into heaven. After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the Temple, praising God. (John 20:27-29, Luke 24:50-53 TLV)
Where are you in your Exodus from Egypt story? Where are you in the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
In the Exodus story, we are counting the days until the giving of the Testimony at Mt. Sinai, Shavot. In the Jesus story, we are counting the days until the giving of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost. It’s a great time to evaluate where you are in You Story.
Yah/God set apart specifically appointed time to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He put them in place thousands of years ahead of time, as signs, foreshadowings, of what was to come. They have been set aside for counterfeit man made traditions.
Jesus most likely rose at twilight Saturday night. During the in between time just before the first day of the week, Sunday, started. If he had remained in the tomb through the night, it would have been four nights in the tomb instead of three.
Become a Disciple: As we observe this appointed time, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. Without him going first, and making the way, we would not be able to follow. He was offered up first so the rest of the harvest that follows can also be accepted. As his disciples we surrender our lives and walk in his ways. On this day we remember his resurrection – the original Easter.
Let me tell you a little bit about some things which happened in history between twilight last night and twilight tonight. Just like Easter – Passover moves around because it is based off the barley harvest and the moon cycle. But today isn’t Passover, today is Palm Sunday, err, well, sort of but not really. Hang with me for a few, would you please?
For the Jews, today is the 10th of Nisan – it started last night at twilight. Unbeknown to Christians, today is kind of the actual “Palm Sunday.” Keep reading, you’ll see the connection.
Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month, each man is to take a lamb for his family one lamb for the household. … Your lamb is to be without blemish, a year old male. … You must watch over it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Exodus 12 TLV
Today is the day the Israelites picked out their lamb. Then they took it into their homes and cared for it for several days before sacrificing it on Passover. Can you even imagine doing this? It was this lambs blood they put on the doors. There was no proof bringing a lamb in and caring for it would do anything, they were preparing in faith. They were acting out of faith in obedience. They couldn’t have faith and no obedience – that would have meant death.
In Joshua 4, we read about the people coming up from the Jordan to Gilgal on the border of Jericho. The fascinating part about this is Yah/God dried up the waters of the Jordan so they could cross, just like he did when they were leaving Egypt, 40 years prior. This crossing happened on the 10th of Nisan. The people crossing over the Jordan at best were very young when the initial crossing happened. Three days prior they had lost the only leader they had ever known, Moses. Here is Joshua, three days into leadership, facing the Jordan river. Yet we see in Joshua 3, everyone consecrating themselves as they had been told to do, no proof of anything, they are prepared in faith. They were acting out of faith in obedience. What would have happened if they had faith and no obedience?
What most Christians do not know is this is the same day Jesus road the donkey into town. The tradition of modern Christianity refers to this as Palm Sunday and celebrate it the Sunday before Easter. However, that just isn’t the case, we can see this as we read through John 12, Mark 11, and Matthew 21. (You can look this up, there are many teachings in this regard.) God had appointed this time thousands of years ago, it was the 10th of Nisan, it was a Saturday, and it was the day everyone was choosing their lamb in preparation for Passover. When Jesus rode in and they were praising him, they thought they were choosing their king. Zechariah 9 says this king “is just and having salvation.” They didn’t know it at the time, but they were choosing their lamb, an unblemished lamb, for their sacrifice.
His disciples did not understand these things at first. But when Yeshua was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that the crowd had done these things for Him. John 12 (TLV)
This day is a day of acting out of faith in obedience. Do you have your lamb chosen? Are you prepared to cross over into the promised land? Is your lamb also the king who is just and has salvation?
If you haven’t chosen Jesus as your Lamb, your King, your Lord and Savior, you don’t have to wait. Here’s a link for more information on how to.
If you have already chosen Jesus, it’s a time to reflect on your faith. Are you acting out of the faith in obedience? If so, then in obedience to what? Are you following in Jesus’s footsteps? Are you doing what he did? Are you judging your obedience by what man has said, or by what Jesus has said? It might be a good time to dive back into the Word and reconnect – consecrate yourself.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All came to be through Him, and without Him not even one came to be that came to be. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1 (TS2009)
If you have ahavah for me, you will be shomer mitzvot regarding my commandments. John 14 (OJB)
*links are given to give a Jewish understand of the word, it does not mean agreement with everything expressed on the site.
It’s amazing when you look into it, how many cultures used to set the New Year according to the Spring Equinox. At one point some countries started the new year in July, other’s in March, and Christianized Europe started on December 25th. January wasn’t a part of the start of the new year until around 45 BC by Julius Caesar of Rome, even then, it was randomized.
The Julian calendar was off, so in the 15th century the Catholic Church aimed to fix it thus giving us January 1st as the New Year on the Gregorian Calendar.
However, Yah/God, the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob set when the New Year in Exodus 12 long before any of these.
Now Adonai spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, “This month will mark the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year for you.
Exodus 12:1 TLV
This doesn’t really tell us when that was though, lets dig a little deeper.
In Ester 3, we see it states, “In the first month (this is the month of Nisan) …” (TLV).
We also see in Numbers 18, “On the fourteenth day of the first month is Adonai’s Passover …” (TLV).
This leads us to Deuteronomy 16, “Be shomer of the month of Aviv and perform the Pesach …” (OJB). Aviv is Springtime. Pesach is Passover.
But why would Yah set the beginning of the year then? In Deuteronomy he tells us why, “he brought you out of Egypt by night.” It is at this time the exodus from Egypt occurred for the nation of Israel. They were brought out of bondage, set free.
The Tabernacle was first put up on the first day of the first month – Exodus 40.
Jesus was crucified in this month. Matthew 26, “Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread (Passover Week) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” (AMP)
Jesus’s sacrifice brought freedom to captives as foreshadowed in the exodus from Egypt. Romans 6: “But now, having been set free from sin and having become enslaved to God, you have your fruit resulting in holiness. And the outcome is eternal life. For sin’s payment[a] is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.“
There are other events which happened during this month. Many believe this is also when the heavens, earth, and man was created. Some believe Abraham was born during this month. This month has become associated with Redemption.
This year, the new year set in place by Yah/God started on Monday, April 8th of this year, 2024.
So let’s celebrate that freedom provided by THE Messiah, Jesus/Yeshua and proclaim we are Blessed! Happy New Year! New Life!
We are collecting all the things Jesus said into less than 1 min videos. Follow our youtube Playlist to see all the shorts as they drop. A new one will drop daily around Noon EST. Hope you enjoy them and learn something too!
Have you heard of Lent? How about Palm Sunday? Good Friday? I’m not even going to ask if you have heard of Easter. Or maybe it’s not called Easter, it’s called Resurrection Sunday? Did you know you won’t find any of those terms in the Bible? Did you know these are cheap knock offs, imitations, fake, and counterfeits of God’s original designs?
Most Christians have probably heard Jesus called the Passover Lamb. And quite a few may even have heard Jesus called the First Fruit. But do you know why?
When we dig into what the Bible says about these holiday’s, we find nothing. This leads us to dig even deeper and discover a whole lot of what we have come to accept as truth, is in fact not.
What you will find while reading the events during so called “Holy week” will be terms such as Passover, Preparation Day and Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. He was called the Passover Lamb, because he was crucified on Passover. He was called the First Fruit because he resurrected on First Fruits.
If we look deep enough, we discover Yah/God’s Holy days, set aside more than 4000 years before Jesus came to the earth. The appointed times/moedim also called YHWH’s SabbathS, were foreshadowing what Jesus would come to do. They were meant to be a dress rehearsal so when he showed up, everyone would know what was happening. Just like today, many of that time missed it because they too, had replaced God’s ways with man’s traditions. It is well worth your time to investigate these Holy Days – the reward is out of this world!
While Passover (Good Friday) and First Fruits (Easter/Resurrection Sunday) are all well and good, lost to the in between is the Feast of Matzot/Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12, 23, 34). This particular time probably has the most application and carries the most responsibility on our part. It was set aside to remember how God brought the captives out of Egypt.
On Preparation Day for Unleavened Bread, everyone went through their homes and got rid of anything containing leaven. The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for seven days, and starts and ends with a rest day. During the seven days, only things which do not have leaven in them are eaten. Most Christians are familiar with the term, ‘leaven,’ and even understand the tie between leaven and sin. Hopefully, at this point, you are understanding it really isn’t about the leaven (1 Corinthians 5). This is a time to reflect on what else you have in your life which needs to be removed. How can you become more aligned with how Yah/God wants you to live? What can you take away from your life so you are walking more like Jesus?
Don’t let this in between day slip away like any other day. Take some time to reflect, actually open your Bible and read what happened. Make some changes in your life to bring you more in step with what Yah/God sees as good and bad – not someone else, not even yourself.
It’s time to stop settling for the cheap knock offs, imitations, fake, and counterfeits of God’s original designs! You have access to the authentic and genuine designs by the One True God, Alpha and Omega, God of all gods, all you have to do is accept it.
The fake holidays happened this weekend. But you still have time to observe the authentic Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits which occur in April this year (2024).
Exodus 31: ‘Surely you must keep My Shabbatot, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so you may know that I am Adonai who sanctifies you. LTV
Ezekiel 20: Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy. NIV
Isaiah 56 (TS2009) (emphasis added)
Thus said יהוה, “Guard right-ruling, and do righteousness, for near is My deliverance to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who becomes strong in it, guarding the Sabbath lest he profane it, and guarding his hand from doing any evil. “And let not the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to יהוה speak, saying, ‘יהוה has certainly separated me from His people,’ nor let the eunuch say, ‘Look I am a dry tree.’ ” For thus said יהוה, “To the eunuchs who guard My Sabbaths, and have chosen what pleases Me, and are holding onto My covenant:
5to them I shall give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters – I give them an everlasting name that is not cut off. “Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to יהוה, to serve Him, and to love the Name of יהוה, to be His servants, all who guard the Sabbath, and not profane it, and are holding onto My covenant – them I shall bring to My set-apart mountain, and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their ascending offerings and their slaughterings are accepted on My slaughter-place, for My house is called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
Matthew 28:19 Go and teach the peoples, immersing them in the character, reputation, authority, and purpose of Yah/God …
Jesus continues his instructions in verse 20. Teaching the nations to … here’s were we find out what is to be taught, what do you think it is?
To observe … for us today, this word doesn’t quite portray the meaning. We can observe something from afar, and when we think of observing something, we do not necessarily think of participating in that something while observing. However, this word, tēreō, is also translated as keep, reserve, watch, preserve, hold fast, to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard (Strong’s and Thayer’s).
To keep and guard what? All things whatsoever I [Jesus] have commanded. Couple of things to consider when determining what are the commandments Jesus commanded?
We aren’t going to list out the actual commands here, if you know you should go, teach, and immerse people in the character, reputation, authority, and purpose of Yahweh/God, then this is something you should dive into the scriptures to discover.
Teaching the people to keep and guard what Jesus commanded, and Jesus will be with you always, even unto the end of the world.
We see a similar line to this in Jeremiah 7:23
23 but I explicitly commanded them: ‘Obey My voice and I will be your God to you and you will be My people. Walk in all the ways that I command you that it may go well with you.
TLV
Now go and teach the peoples, immersing them in the character, reputation, authority, and purpose of Yah/God. Teaching them to keep and guard all that Jesus has commanded. Then Jesus will be with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Baptizing is a very familiar term in the general Christian vocabulary. There is usually two forms of baptizing referenced. Water baptism and Spirit baptism, each bringing with them a whole host of controversary. Generally, this part of Matthew 28:19 is most associated with the water baptism. But does it really have anything to do with water?
Let’s focus in on just the highlighted words above. We know who ‘them’ is, it’s the people/nations – which we learned last week means a people group – not a specific country. This takes care of the WHO of this thought.
‘In the name’ is the what the people are being immersed in. Huh? How do you immerse someone in a name? Most will keep reading and go – OHHH I see, so when we submerge them in water we say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Yeah – but – no.
To Hebrews, a name is not simple something we use to identify someone. There is a similar Hebrew word, “neshama,” it literally means ‘breath.’ If you look into neshama, you will find it fascinating as it is one part of our soul. Yah/God’s exhaling. It is the seat of ones character. So a name to Hebrews, ‘shem’ denotes character, reputation, authority, and purpose of an individual, it makes up an identity. Yah/God told Moses his name was YHWH- “the one who exists”. The ‘I am.’ See how His name denotes His identity?
If we choose to walk as a Christian, then by His name we identify. We take our oaths in His name (Deu 10:20). Abraham walked in YHWH’s name. He preached in the name of YHWH (Gen 13:4). What does this mean? It means he preached in the ‘authority’ of YHWH. Remember, name doesn’t mean name (as in modern day meaning), it denotes an identity = character, reputation, authority, and purpose of an individual.
Take note, this word here is SINGULAR – it doesn’t say in the nameS of, it is purposefully a singular name. In Matthew 12 we see a quotation from Isaiah 42. But it intriguing when we look closely at the two side by side we see there is one difference:
In Matthew, the nations hope in ‘His Name.’ In Isaiah 42, the nations wait for ‘His Torah’. Torah means teachings, in this case the general consensus is a specific reference to the first five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In most Christian realms, this would simply be referred to as “The Law.” Further down in Isaiah 42 we see things like, “I am Yahweh,” “I am Yahweh – that is My name.” Go read through Isaiah 42, you can’t miss the connection here!
Now that should paint a whole different picture when you read “Immersing them in the name.” The concept here isn’t about water baptism, it is about teaching people the essence of who Yah/God is. What his character is. What kind of reputation he has. What authority he has. And what his purpose is. Not just a little here and there but a full on immersion into all that God is!
Matthew 28:19 Go and teach the peoples, immersing them in the character, reputation, authority, and purpose of Yah/God … you don’t have to make anything, you don’t have to be “called”, you don’t have to be a pastor, you don’t have to have water, you just have to go and follow the example set by Jesus – touching the peoples Yah/God puts in your path.
Most believe this is a command to do “missions,” as it relates to being a missionary. Or going on missions trips to foreign nations. However, this isn’t the idea the text is conveying.
The Greek translation shows the word as ‘ethnos’ which according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon means:
In the KJV version, we see this exact same word translated as Gentiles (93x), nation (64x), heathen (5x), people (2x).
In Hebrew the word is עַמִּים, simply translated, peoples. More than one person.
Basically, if you are disciple of Jesus, he has told you to go and teach people. You don’t have to fly across the world, become a missionary, nor go on missions trips, you simply have to teach the people around you. If you have the means and the time, go as far away as you can, nothing against this. Some may even be called to specifically be missionaries. But if you do not or are not, nothing is stopping you from accepting this great commission to go and teach all people.
This is not the same as ‘testifying’ or ‘giving a witness’. This also is not about getting people “saved.” There is nothing against either of those either, but that is not the context here. How do we know this? Because this teaching is directly tied to the word disciple – a student, a follower, a learner. It is about giving instruction. In Jesus’s time, a disciple wanted to become as much like their teacher as possible. The idea was also, a disciple would one day go out and teach as well.
Are you doing what Jesus told his disciples to do? Are you teaching people?
It might be surprising, but the next part, baptizing, has nothing to do with water. Stay tuned!
Matthew 28:19 and 20 are rich in their connection to the Old Testament, which is very well hidden in the English Translations. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the words found in Verse 19.
Make Disciples vs Teach
Right off we see something we should explore because when we do a comparison of translations we can see a significant difference right away. We all know there is a difference between making something and doing something. Thinking in a school setting.
Let’s hold those thoughts for a moment and see what else we can find out.
If we read the Hebrew Gospels translation we read the word ‘preach’.
Teach, make, and disciple are all verbs. Teacher, maker, and disciple are nouns. Notice the word disciple can be both a verb and a noun? Let’s look at the concordance to see which this word is – a verb or a noun. Using Blueletterbible we see the word translated as either teach or make disciples (mathēteuō) is a verb. We can also see there isn’t any word after this verb – it goes straight into “all nations.” There isn’t any word for word match to disciple, it seems to be an added concept which can significantly change the goal or focus of those being told to go – doesn’t it?
Back to mathēteuō – we see where this word is used 4 times in the NT. The only time it is kind of translated in a manner close to “make disciples” is in Matthew 27, and there is a special note there. But this note is not on Matthew 28.
If we look at the Hebrew word, we see its (לְהוֹרוֹת) meaning is to teach, to lead, to instruct. When we make our way back to the Hebrew, it helps us make some connections back into the OT. One of those such places is Exodus 24:12. If we look at all the different translations here, we see it as either teach or instruct. When we start breaking this down, we see where Matthew 28:19-20 matches up with Exodus 24:12.
This word is yārâ, in our English translations we see it translated many ways.
The KJV translates Strong’s H3384 in the following manner: teach (42x), shoot (18x), archers (5x), cast (5x), teacher (4x), rain (2x), laid (1x), direct (1x), inform (1x), instructed (1x), shewed (1x), shooters (1x), through (1x), watered (1x)
If you listen to the Bible Project’s video on Salt of the Land, you will see how they make a connection between Torah, Orh, and Yara.
They said, underneath the noun Torah is y, but you can hear the rhyming of Ohr=light, and Tor. Torah comes from the Hebrew verb Yar. In the Yar form it means to give instruction or to teach someone. In the form of Torah, it means instruction. God will yara/teach them so that God’s Torah/instruction will go out to the nations. God’s orh/light to the nations is people walking in his Torah/instruction.
Bible Project’s video on Salt of the Land
When we dive into this we can see the idea here is to teach and instruction all the nations/people. Our focus should be on the teaching, not on the making. By learning God’s instruction, living by them, and teaching them, we are fulfilling this part of what Jesus has told his disciples to do.
This is exactly what his disciples at that time did and they changed the world. Those who believed in and wanted to become followers of Jesus went into the synagogues each week and learned from the Old Testament. No one had their own copy, they had to work to memorize it so they could then share it. The disciples would keep up with those communities they couldn’t be at in person through letters. Some of those letters are preserved in our NT as examples of some of the questions these communities had as they were trying to adjust from their previous Jewish and pagan/gentile traditions. For both traditions they had to overcome the requirement to provide blood sacrifices because Jesus was their forever blood sacrifice. They both had to overcome the idea of working their way back into righteousness through repetitive traditions. Jesus came and brought it back to the heart of things and not the doing of things as was taught by man.
Jesus’s disciples used the Old Testament to teach what Jesus had done by providing a blood sacrifice which covers the penalty of death from sinning. Jesus set everyone back into right relationship (righteousness) with YHWH so they can draw near to him. If you love YHWH with all your heart, mind, and strength, then you will follow his ways.
There is nothing against “making disciples,” however, this particular part of the ‘Great Commission,’ is about teaching. We are only a few words in, we have more to discover.
Go and teach … next we’ll look at who we teach.
A survey from Genesis to Revelation on Passover
Passover/Pesach
Ex 5:1; 10:9; Ex 12; 13:3; 23:14–15; 34:18–25; Le 23:5; Nu 9:1–14; 28:15–16; 33:3; Dt 16:1–6; Jos 5:9–11; 2 Ki 23:21–23; 2 Ch 8:13; 30:1–5, 15–18; 35:1–19; Ezr 6:19–20; Eze 40:1–2; 45:18–21; Mt 26:1–2, 17–19; 27:15; Mk 14:1, 11–16; 15:6; Lk 2:41–42; 12:35–38; 22:1–15; 23:17–18; Jn 2:12–25; 4:45; 5:1; 6:4; 11:55; 12:1, 12, 20; 13:1, 29–30; 18:27–28, 38–39; 19:14; Ac 12:1–4; 20:6; 1 Co 5:6–8; 10:16; 11:23–28; 15:3; Ga 5:1; Heb 11:28; Re 9:18
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:33 PM February 10, 2024.
Bible version: LSV
Companion article to: Scripture Survey: Christian Spring Holidays
Passover/Pesach – LSV Version
And afterward, Moses and Aaron went, and they said to Pharaoh, “Thus says Yahweh the God of Israel, ‘Release my people so that they may hold a festival for me in the desert.’ ”
And Moses said, “With our young and with our old we will go; with our sons and with our daughters, with our sheep and goats and with our cattle we will go because it is the feast of Yahweh for us.”
1 And Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month will be the beginning of months; it will be for you the first of the months of the year. 3 Speak to all the community of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month, they will each take for themselves a lamb for the family, a lamb for the household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, he and the neighbor nearest to his house will take one according to the number of persons; you will count out portions of the lamb according to how much each one can eat. 5 The lamb for you must be a male, without defect, in its first year; you will take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 “You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and all the assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter it at twilight. 7 And they will take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel on the houses in which they eat it. 8 And they will eat the meat on this night; they will eat it fire-roasted and with unleavened bread on bitter herbs. 9 You must not eat any of it raw or boiled, boiled in the water, but rather roasted with fire, its head with its legs and with its inner parts. 10 And you must not leave any of it until morning; anything left from it until morning you must burn in the fire. 11 And this is how you will eat it—with your waists fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and you will eat it in haste. It is Yahweh’s Passover. 12 “And I will go through the land of Egypt during this night, and I will strike all of the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human to animal, and I will do punishments among all of the gods of Egypt. I am Yahweh. 13 And the blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and I will see the blood, and I will pass over you, and there will not be a destructive plague among you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “And this day will become a memorial for you, and you will celebrate it as a religious feast for Yahweh throughout your generations; you will celebrate it as a lasting statute. 15 You will eat unleavened bread for seven days. Surely on the first day you shall remove yeast from your houses, because anyone who eats food with yeast from the first day until the seventh day—that person will be cut off from Israel. 16 It will be for you on the first day a holy assembly and on the seventh day a holy assembly; no work will be done on them; only what is eaten by every person, it alone will be prepared for you. 17 “And you will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because on this very day I brought out your divisions from the land of Egypt, and you will keep this day for your generations as a lasting statute. 18 On the first day, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, you will eat unleavened bread until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month. 19 For seven days yeast must not be found in your houses, because anyone eating food with yeast will be cut off from the community of Israel—whether an alien or a native of the land. 20 You will eat no food with yeast; in all of your dwellings you will eat unleavened bread.” 21 And Moses called all the elders of Israel, and he said to them, “Select and take for yourselves sheep for your clans and slaughter the Passover sacrifice. 22 And take a bunch of hyssop and dip it into the blood that is in the basin and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts. And you will not go out, anyone from the doorway of his house, until morning. 23 And Yahweh will go through to strike Egypt, and he will see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, and Yahweh will pass over the doorway and will not allow the destroyer to come to your houses to strike you. 24 “And you will keep this event as a rule for you and for your children forever. 25 And when you come into the land that Yahweh will give to you, as he said, you will keep this religious custom. 26 And when your children say to you, ‘What is this religious custom for you?’ 27 you will say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice for Yahweh, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when he struck Egypt; and he delivered our houses.’ ” And the people knelt down and they worshiped. 28 And the Israelites went, and they did as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron; so they did. 29 And in the middle of the night, Yahweh struck all of the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the prison house and every firstborn of an animal. 30 And Pharaoh got up at night, he and all his servants and all Egypt, and a great cry of distress was in Egypt because there was not a house where there was no one dead. 31 And he called Moses and Aaron at night, and he said, “Get up, go out from the midst of my people, both you as well as the Israelites, and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said. 32 Take both your sheep and goats as well as your cattle, and go, and bless also me.” 33 And the Egyptians urged the people in order to hurry their release from the land, because they said, “All of us will die!” 34 And the people lifted up their dough before it had yeast; their kneading troughs were wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulder. 35 And the Israelites did according to the word of Moses, and they asked from the Egyptians for objects of silver and objects of gold and for clothing. 36 And Yahweh gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they granted their requests, and they plundered the Egyptians. 37 And the Israelites set out from Rameses to Succoth; the men were about six hundred thousand on foot, besides dependents. 38 And also a mixed multitude went up with them and sheep and goats and cattle, very numerous livestock. 39 And they baked the dough that they had brought out from Egypt as cakes, unleavened bread, because it had no yeast when they were driven out from Egypt, and they were not able to delay, and also they had not made provisions for themselves. 40 And the period of dwelling of the Israelites that they dwelled in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on this exact day, all of Yahweh’s divisions went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of vigils belonging to Yahweh for bringing them out from the land of Egypt; it is this night belonging to Yahweh with vigils for all of the Israelites throughout their generations. 43 And Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner may eat it. 44 But any slave of a man, an acquisition by money, and you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. 45 A temporary resident and a hired worker may not eat it. 46 It will be eaten in one house; you will not bring part of the meat out from the house to the outside; and you will not break a bone of it. 47 All of the community of Israel will prepare it. 48 And when an alien dwells with you and he wants to prepare the Passover for Yahweh, every male belonging to him must be circumcised, and then he may come near to prepare it, and he will be as the native of the land, but any uncircumcised man may not eat it. 49 One law will be for the native and for the alien who is dwelling in your midst.” 50 And all the Israelites did as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron; so they did. 51 And it was on exactly this day Yahweh brought the Israelites out from the land of Egypt by their divisions.
And Moses said to the people, “Remember this day when you went out from Egypt, from a house of slaves, because with strength of hand Yahweh brought you out from here, and food with yeast will not be eaten.
14 “ ‘Three times in the year you will hold a festival for me. 15 You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you at the appointed time, the month of Abib, because in it you came out from Egypt, and no one will appear before me empty-handed.
18 “You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you will eat unleavened bread, which I commanded you, at the appointed time of the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt. 19 Every first offspring of a womb is for me—all of your male livestock, the first offspring of cattle and small livestock. 20 But the first offspring of a donkey you will redeem with small livestock, and if you will not redeem it, you will break its neck. Every firstborn of your sons you will redeem, and you will not appear before me empty-handed. 21 Six days you will work, and on the seventh day you will rest; in the time of plowing and in the time of harvest you will rest. 22 And you yourself will observe the Feast of Weeks—the firstfruits of the wheat harvest—and the Feast of Harvest Gathering at the turn of the year. 23 Three times in the year all your males will appear before the Lord, Yahweh, the God of Israel, 24 because I will evict nations before you, and I will enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up to appear before Yahweh your God three times in the year. 25 “You will not slaughter the blood of my sacrifice on food with yeast, and the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover will not stay overnight to the morning.
In the first month, on the fourteenth of the month at the evening is Yahweh’s Passover.
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, in the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying, 2 “Let the Israelites observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month at twilight you will perform it at its appointed time according to all its decrees; and according to all its stipulations you will observe it.” 4 So Moses spoke to the Israelites to observe the Passover. 5 And they observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight in the desert of Sinai. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, thus the Israelites did. 6 And it happened, men who were unclean by a dead person were not able to perform the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7 And those men said to him, “Although we are unclean by a dead person, why are we hindered from presenting the offering of Yahweh at its appointed time in the midst of the Israelites?” 8 Moses said to them, “Stay. I will hear what Yahweh commands to you.” 9 And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the Israelites, saying, ‘Each man that is unclean by a dead person or is on a far journey, you or your descendants, he will observe the Passover of Yahweh. 11 On the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they will observe it; they will eat it with unleavened bread and bitter plants. 12 They will leave none of it until morning, and they will not break a bone in it; they will observe it according to every decree of the Passover. 13 But the man who is clean and not on a journey, and he fails to observe the Passover, that person will be cut off from the people because he did not present the offering of Yahweh on its appointed time. That man will bear his guilt. 14 If an alien dwells with you he will observe the Passover of Yahweh according to the decree of the Passover and according to its stipulation; thus you will have one decree for you, for the alien and for the native of the land.’ ”
15 And one male goat as a sin offering for Yahweh; it will be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its libation. 16 “ ‘On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover for Yahweh.
They set out from Rameses on the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover the Israelites went out boldly in the sight of all the Egyptians
1 “Observe the month of Abib, and you shall keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, for in the month of Abib Yahweh your God brought you out from Egypt by night. 2 And you shall offer the Passover sacrifice to Yahweh your God from among your flock and herd at the place that Yahweh will choose, to let his name dwell there. 3 You shall not eat with it anything leavened; seven days you shall eat with it unleavened bread of affliction, because in haste you went out from the land of Egypt, so that you will remember the day of your going out from the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4 And leaven shall not be seen with you in any of your territory for seven days, and none of the meat that you will slaughter on the evening on the first day shall remain overnight until morning. 5 You are not allowed to offer the Passover sacrifice in one of your towns that Yahweh your God is giving to you, 6 but only at the place that Yahweh your God will choose, to let his name dwell there; you shall offer the Passover sacrifice in the evening at sunset, at the designated time of your going out from Egypt.
9 And Yahweh said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” Therefore, the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. 10 And the Israelites camped at Gilgal, and they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, on the plains of Jericho. 11 On the next day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate from the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and roasted corn.
21 Then the king commanded all of the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as has been written on the scroll of this covenant.” 22 For they had not kept this Passover from the days of the judges who had judged over Israel or during the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept for Yahweh in Jerusalem.
as was the daily requirement, to offer up according to the commandments of Moses for Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and the three annual feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.
1 Then Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, to come to the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem to make a Passover feast to Yahweh the God of Israel. 2 Now the king and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to make the Passover feast in the second month—3 but they were not able to make it at that time, for the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, and the people had not been assembled in Jerusalem—4 and the plan seemed right in the eyes of the king and in the eyes of all the assembly. 5 So they let the decree stand, to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, to come to make a Passover feast to Yahweh the God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed.
15 And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were disgraced, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh. 16 Then they stood at their positions according to custom, according to the law of Moses the man of God. The priests were sprinkling the blood from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who did not consecrate themselves, so the Levites were over the killing of the Passover sacrifices for all who were not clean, to consecrate them to Yahweh. 18 For a majority of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves. But they ate the Passover sacrifice otherwise than prescribed, but Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Yahweh make atonement unto
1 Josiah kept the Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem. And they slaughtered the Passover sacrifice on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests at their posts and encouraged them in the service of the house of Yahweh. 3 And he said to the Levites who were teaching all Israel, who were sanctified to Yahweh, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. There is no need to carry it on your shoulders. Now serve Yahweh your God and his people Israel. 4 And prepare yourselves according to your families, according to your working groups, according to the decree of David king of Israel and according to the decree of Solomon his son. 5 And stand in the sanctuary according to the clans of your families for your brothers, the lay people, and a part of the family of the Levites. 6 And slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourself and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of Yahweh by the hand of Moses. 7 Then Josiah provided for the lay people sheep, lambs, and young goats, all for the Passover for all who were found there, to the sum of thirty thousand, along with three thousand bulls. These were the possession of the king. 8 And his officials contributed a freewill offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, commanders of the house of God, gave to the priests two thousand six hundred Passover lambs and three hundred bulls. 9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jehozabad, commanders of the Levites, contributed to the Levites five thousand Passover lambs and five hundred bulls. 10 And when the work had been completed, the priests stood at their positions and the Levites in their working groups according to the command of the king. 11 And they slaughtered the Passover lamb, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hand, and the Levites flayed the sacrifices. 12 And they set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the clans of the families for the lay people, to offer to Yahweh according to what is written in the scroll of Moses. And thus they did with the bulls. 13 Then they roasted the Passover lamb in the fire according to the ordinance. And they boiled the holy offerings in pots, in kettles, and in dishes and brought it quickly to all the lay people. 14 And afterward they prepared for themselves and for the priests, since the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were busy with offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night. So the Levites prepared for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. 15 And the singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the decree of David and Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, the seer of the king. And the gatekeepers were at each gate. They did not need to depart from their service, for their brothers the Levites had made preparations for them. 16 So all the service of Yahweh was prepared on that day to keep the Passover and to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, according to the command of King Josiah. 17 And the Israelites who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days. 18 And there was no Passover like it kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. And none of the kings of Israel kept a Passover like that which Josiah and the priests and the Levites, and all of Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, kept. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept.
19 On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles observed the Passover feast. 20 For the priests and Levites together had consecrated themselves; all of them were clean. And they slaughtered the Passover sacrifice for all of the returned exiles, for their brothers the priests, and for themselves.
1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was destroyed, in this day exactly, the hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me there 2 in visions from God. He brought me to the land of Israel and put me on a very high mountain, and on it was something like a structure of a city to the south.
18 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘On the first month on the first day of the month, you shall take a bull, a calf without defect, and you shall purify the sanctuary. 19 And the priest shall take from the blood of the sin offering, and he shall put it on the doorframe of the temple and on the four corners of the ledge of the altar and on the doorframe of the gate of the inner courtyard. 20 And so you shall do on the seventh day in the month for anyone doing wrong inadvertently or due to ignorance, and so you must make atonement for the temple. 21 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast lasting for seven days, when you shall eat unleavened breads.
1 And it happened that when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover takes place, and the Son of Man will be handed over in order to be crucified.”
17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came up to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 And he said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am celebrating the Passover with you with my disciples.” ’ 19 And the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
Now at each feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd—the one whom they wanted.
Now after two days it was the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, after arresting him by stealth, they could kill him.
11 And when they heard this, they were delighted, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how he could betray him conveniently. 12 And on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare, so that you can eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 15 And he will show you a large upstairs room furnished and ready, and prepare for us there.” 16 And the disciples went out and came into the city and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Now at each feast he customarily released for them one prisoner whom they requested.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast.
35 “You must be prepared for action and your lamps burning. 36 And you, be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes back and knocks, they can open the door for him immediately. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and serve them. 38 Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find them like this, blessed are they!
1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread (which is called Passover) was drawing near. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they could destroy him, because they were afraid of the people. 3 And Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he could betray him to them. 5 And they were delighted, and came to an agreement with him to give him money. 6 And he agreed, and began looking for a favorable opportunity to betray him to them apart from the crowd. 7 And the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which it was necessary for the Passover lamb to be sacrificed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it. 9 So they said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” 10 And he said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. 11 And you will say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 And he will show you a large furnished upstairs room. Make preparations there.” 13 So they went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!”
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, and his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days. 13 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated. 15 And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign do you show to us, because you are doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!” 20 Then the Jews said, “This temple has been under construction forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken. 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name because they saw his signs which he was doing. 24 But Jesus himself did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people, 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem at the feast (for they themselves had also come to the feast).
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
(Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.)
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the surrounding country before the Passover, so that they could purify themselves.
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up in order to worship at the feast.
Now before the feast of Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, and having loved his own in the world, loved them to the end.
29 For some were thinking because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Purchase what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.) 30 So after he had taken the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.
27 So Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed. 28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s residence. Now it was early, and they did not enter into the governor’s residence so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.
38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no basis for an accusation against him. 39 But it is your custom that I release for you one prisoner at the Passover. So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”
(Now it was the day of preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour.) And he said to the Jews, “Behold your king!”
1 Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm them. 2 So he executed James the brother of John with a sword. 3 And when he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (Now this was during the feast of Unleavened Bread.) 4 After he had arrested him, he also put him in prison, handing him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven in order that you may be a new batch of dough, just as you are unleavened. For Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. 8 So then, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old leaven or with the leaven of wickedness and sinfulness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 Likewise also the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a person examine himself, and in this way let him eat from the bread and let him drink from the cup.
For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
By these three plagues a third of humanity was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the sulphur that came out of their mouths.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:37 PM February 10, 2024.
Again, keeping this in context with what has come before. Remember, we learned there was a belief that by giving alms, praying, and fasting, atonement was made for sins. Jesus is teaching those are man made ideas. And he is teaching how Yah/God sees things.
And when you //disciples// fast – this makes it a given disciples will fast. What is fasting?
Do not be like the hypocrites, of sour countenances, disfigured faces, THAT men may see.
When you //disciple// fast anoint your head, wash your face, so you do not appear to men be fasting.
BUT/AND to your Father who is in secret and your Father who is seeing in secret, will reward you.
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Isaiah 6:9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 13:14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Mark 4:12 so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Acts 28:26 “‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Testing in Resting: The weekly Sabbath is a day to rest and reflect. It’s a time to remember God has provided all we need. He sent his son, Jesus to become our sacrifice and our high priest – all we have to do is have faith in him and he will do the rest. Our reconciliation is promised through our faith. However, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my Torah.” He specifically talks about the “Torah” and keeping the smallest marks in it. As we seek to understand more fully, we learn there are laws to keep, ordinances dependent on circumstances, recommendations for getting the best out of life, and right-rulings for making judgements. We don’t keep them because we have to, we keep them because we want to obey. All throughout God Sabbaths/appointed times has referenced or alluded to having faith and obeying him – the original day of worship.
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
All are One: During this time we remember, Jesus said a prayer for those who have faith in him. He said, “Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me.” God tabernacled among his people in a temporary dwelling place. And Jesus temporarily tabernacled among us in flesh. And now our body is a tabernacle to the Holy Spirit. Jesus has went to prepare our forever home and one day, we will once again be with Immanuel – God with Us when he returns to reign forever and ever. ““Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – the original Christmas
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Forgive as You are Forgiven: During the time between Trumpets and Day of Atonement is a time to consider our ways and make correction as needed. Just as the priests were ordained and consecrated by the atonement sacrifice, so Jesus has been our atoning sacrifice. We are the one who deserves death but instead we will be set free because Jesus takes our place. Forgive others, just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. The original Ash Wednesday/Lent.
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Become One Who Disciples: On this day we remember while Jesus was in this world he was the light, whoever follows him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light in them. Jesus said his disciples are the light of the world and should not be hidden. We remember when we walk in his ways and let our light shine we have fellowship together. Shout for joy because Jesus has destroyed death, brought life and immortality to light through the good news. One day he is returning and will reign forever and ever! A day to remember to keep watch for one day he is returning – the original Advent.
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Receive Jesus’s Testimony and Baptism: On this day we remember the free gift given to both Jew and Gentile. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’s baptism(Acts 2:38) and his witness testifying to the whole earth. The Spirit writes his commands on our hearts. The Spirit baptizes in the Name (the essence) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – the original Pentecost.
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Become a Disciple: As we observe this appointed time, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. Without him going first, and making the way, we would not be able to follow. He was offered up first so the rest of the harvest that follows can also be accepted. As his disciples we surrender our lives and walk in his ways. On this day we remember his resurrection – the original Easter.
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Called Out of Captivity: As we observe this appointed time of YHWH/God’s, we are to remember we were once captives to lawlessness (sin), separated from God, just like the Israelites were in the land of Egypt. In order to get back in right relationship with God, there must be a sacrifice made because the law of sin requires a death. We are to remember he chose to bring us out of captivity through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus and set us free from lawlessness (sin). On this day, we remember his crucifixion, the original Good Friday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
Called into Righteousness: As we observe this appointed time of God’s, we are to remember God provides for us. We are to clean out all the lawlessness (sin) in our houses. Just as he prepared a way through the wilderness into the promised land for the Israelites, he has prepared a way into righteousness and the Holy Place through his son, Jesus. Jesus has paid the ransom for those have faith in him and obey. On this day we remember his triumphant descent – the original Holy Saturday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
Part 3 – When Did Things Change? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
NEXT UP: Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
COMING SOON: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
The only god listed in Part 1, who has had major changes in how and when his followers celebrate him is the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), and his Son, Yeshua/Jesus. There is no contention that Jesus was not born in December. The only doubt surrounding when he was born is the debate about which of YHWH/God’s Sabbaths he was born on.
Ever hear of the Penalty for Keeping Christmas Law? Yeah, me neither. But in Massachusetts Bay Colony there was such a thing in 1659. They felt it was a “great dishonor of God and offence of others.” If that were in effect today – we’d be paying almost $50 bucks per violation! It was removed in 1681. Of course, in Massachusetts’s they also arrested “witches” (1692-1693) as well! Many held the line, and Christmas did not become a publicly accepted holiday until 1856. In 1870, Christmas was declared a national holiday.
How about an ordinance in England banning Christmas and Easter? Yep, there was one there too. Passed by Parliament in 1647. They had fines there too! Ended up causing riots. They removed it in 1660 because it was too hard to enforce.
Exactly when it all changed? No one really knows, it has been lost in time. We know during the time of Constantine, many Christians switched the date and traditions. And then it seems sometime between the late fourth century and the sixteenth century, Christians pushed back against Christmas altogether. And then in 1870, December 25th and all the traditions with it, became a USA National Holiday.
There isn’t even any contention the early church did not celebrated his birth in December. Nor is there any contention about the early followers observing YHWH/God’s Sabbaths. And we know Jesus and the disciples observed the Sabbaths of YHWH/God.
So here we are in modern times with a tension once again between whether Christians should be celebrating Christmas or not. And whether Christians and Messianic Jews should observe the Sabbaths.
YHWH set up his Dwelling place with elements representing his Sabbaths. He is the only god who uniquely designed his Sabbaths to remained relevant to each generation who kept them. They were meant to be rehearsals, preparing us for what is to come.
Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection all line up with one of God’s Sabbaths. There is some leaning to his birth being during Passover in the Spring. However, the strongest evidence is for his birth being during one of the fall Sabbaths which would be either Feast of Trumpets or Feast of Tabernacles. We read about one of them, the Feast of Tabernacles, in John 7.
The Tabernacle was where YHWH/God’s temporary dwelling place was among the people during the Exodus out of Egypt. There are scripture which can bridge Jesus to the other Feasts, but here are some bridging the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot to Jesus:
There is a Hebrew scripture in Zechariah 14 talking about the day of the Lord. It fits very well with Jesus’s first coming. Starting in Verse 16 is a foreshadowing of the Millennial Reign of Jesus – and the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot is being kept by all, with a consequence if people choose not to.
Isaiah talks about the new heaven and new earth and the observant of one Shabbat to another.
22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“so your descendants and your name will endure.”
23 “And it will come to pass,
Isaiah 66
that from one New Moon to another,
and from one Shabbat to another,
all flesh will come to bow down before Me,”
says Adonai.
God said it was a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. However, for the Christians this is no longer the case. Because of this it may surprise some Christians, the same Good News message told in the New Testament was also given to the people in the Old Testament. We’ll look at that next time.
19 I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and observe them. 20 Sanctify My Sabbaths and keep them holy; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know [without any doubt] that I am the Lord your God.’ 21 Yet the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, nor were they careful to observe My ordinances, which, if a man keeps, he will live; they profaned My Sabbaths. Then I decided to pour out My wrath on them and finish My anger against them in the wilderness.
Ezekiel 20 AMP
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
The most accurate and quick answer would be: Because YHWH/God said to. God said to be set-apart. He said he doesn’t want what is given to other gods. He gave us ways of celebrating and worshipping him.
Sometimes the most appropriate question doesn’t start with can or could, but instead starts with should. Can I rob a bank? Yes. Should? No. Can I drink pop all day long? Yes. Should? Probably not. Can Christians celebrate Easter and Christmas? Yes. Should? Isn’t that the question? Do Christians have to learn about God’s Sabbaths? No. Should? Probably should. Jesus did, the disciples did, Paul did, the early church father’s did, the church did up until at least the late fourth century.
So why not? Why would Christians want to be the only god worshippers who are willing to change how they celebrate YHWH and Jesus because the government and a bishop said to? Why would Christians want to be the only ones who changed their date, abandon YHWH’s ways, and adopt those of other god worshippers? Do they fear their gods more than Christians fear theirs?
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
Hebrews 4 NIV (Emphasis added)
“Faith and obeyed.” This implies there was an expected action in addition to having faith.
This may take a bit to digest, don’t try and take it all in at once. Take it section by section, look at each element separately. God designed this so through the Holy Spirit, it would be easy to understand and comprehend. Scripture references are left off in most cases – test everything – look them up. Enough of the words are used you can easily google them and find the scriptures. You may be surprised at other treasures you will turn up, if you are seeking knowledge and wisdom, your mind will be blown at least once!
God tells the good news of Jesus through observance of his Sabbaths (appointed times). He also tells it through his Tabernacle which was a copy and shadow of what is in heaven (where God is). He designed them as a testimony for his followers to live out and be set apart from the rest of the world. Don’t skip over this scripture we all think we know, take time to read it.
10 Yeshua answered him, “You’re a teacher of Israel and you do not understand these things? 11 Amen, amen I tell you, We speak about what We know and testify about what We have seen. Yet you all do not receive Our testimony! 12 If you do not believe the earthly things I told you, how will you believe when I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up into heaven except the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,[c] so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life!
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not put his trust in the name of the one and only Ben-Elohim.
19 “Now this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world and men loved the darkness instead of the light,[d] because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 21 But whoever practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be made known that his deeds have been accomplished in God.”
John 3 (TLV)
Called Out of Captivity: As we observe this appointed time of YHWH/God’s, we are to remember we were once captives to lawlessness (sin), separated from God, just like the Israelites were in the land of Egypt. In order to get back in right relationship with God, there must be a sacrifice made because the law of sin requires a death. We are to remember he chose to bring us out of captivity through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus and set us free from lawlessness (sin). On this day, we remember his crucifixion, the original Good Friday.
Called into Righteousness: As we observe this appointed time of God’s, we are to remember God provides for us. We are to clean out all the lawlessness (sin) in our houses. Just as he prepared a way through the wilderness into the promised land for the Israelites, he has prepared a way into righteousness and the Holy Place through his son, Jesus. Jesus has paid the ransom for those have faith in him and obey. On this day we remember his triumphant descent – the original Holy Saturday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
See the detailed testimony of God through Passover and Unleavened bread here …
Become a Disciple: As we observe this appointed time, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. Without him going first, and making the way, we would not be able to follow. He was offered up first so the rest of the harvest that follows can also be accepted. As his disciples we surrender our lives and walk in his ways. On this day we remember his resurrection – the original Easter.
See the detailed testimony of God through First Fruits here …
Receive Jesus’s Testimony and Baptism: On this day we remember the free gift given to both Jew and Gentile. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’s baptism(Acts 2:38) and his witness testifying to the whole earth. The Spirit writes his commands on our hearts. The Spirit baptizes in the Name (the essence) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – the original Pentecost.
See the detailed testimony of God through Pentecost here …
Become One Who Disciples: On this day we remember while Jesus was in this world he was the light, whoever follows him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light in them. Jesus said his disciples are the light of the world and should not be hidden. We remember when we walk in his ways and let our light shine we have fellowship together. Shout for joy because Jesus has destroyed death, brought life and immortality to light through the good news. One day he is returning and will reign forever and ever! A day to remember to keep watch for one day he is returning – the original Advent.
See the detailed testimony of God through the Feast of Trumpets here …
Forgive as You are Forgiven: During the time between Trumpets and Day of Atonement is a time to consider our ways and make correction as needed. Just as the priests were ordained and consecrated by the atonement sacrifice, so Jesus has been our atoning sacrifice. We are the one who deserves death but instead we will be set free because Jesus takes our place. Forgive others, just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. The original Ash Wednesday/Lent.
See the detailed testimony of God through the Day of Atonement here …
All are One: During this time we remember, Jesus said a prayer for those who have faith in him. He said, “Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me.” God tabernacled among his people in a temporary dwelling place. And Jesus temporarily tabernacled among us in flesh. And now our body is a tabernacle to the Holy Spirit. Jesus has went to prepare our forever home and one day, we will once again be with Immanuel – God with Us when he returns to reign forever and ever. ““Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – the original Christmas
See detailed testimony of God through the Feast of Tabernacles here …
Testing in Resting: The weekly Sabbath is a day to rest and reflect. It’s a time to remember God has provided all we need. He sent his son, Jesus to become our sacrifice and our high priest – all we have to do is have faith in him and he will do the rest. Our reconciliation is promised through our faith. However, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my Torah.” He specifically talks about the “Torah” and keeping the smallest marks in it. As we seek to understand more fully, we learn there are laws to keep, ordinances dependent on circumstances, recommendations for getting the best out of life, and right-rulings for making judgements. We don’t keep them because we have to, we keep them because we want to obey. All throughout God Sabbaths/appointed times has referenced or alluded to having faith and obeying him – the original day of worship.
See the detailed testimony of God through the Weekly Sabbath here …
10“Because this is the covenant that I shall make with the house of Yisra’ĕl after those days, says יהוה, giving My laws in their mind, and I shall write them on their hearts, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.
11“And they shall by no means teach each one his neighbour, and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know יהוה,’ because they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.
12“Because I shall forgive their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall no longer remember.”
13By saying, ‘renewed,’ He has made the first old. Now what becomes old and growing aged is near disappearing.
Hebrews 8 TS2009
Part 4 – Where is the Good News in the Old Testament? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
NEXT UP: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
You won’t find the good news or gospel in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) in the manner in which most Christians have become accustom to sharing it. But the good news is there, outside of the prophesies, if you know what to look for. We are told over and over in the New Testament the good news was proclaimed in the Old Testament.
Just as they did – the Israelites had the good news proclaimed to them – but some did not have faith and did not obey.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.” [g] 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all… As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news of good things!” [i] 16 But not all heeded the Good News. For Isaiah says, “Adonai, who has believed our report?” [j] 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Messiah.
Romans 10 TLV (Emphasis added)
If we look backward at this reference, this is what we find:
Behold, upon the mountains
Nahum 1/2 TLV
are the feet[a] of him bringing good news,[b]
proclaiming shalom.
O Judah, celebrate your festivals!
Fulfill your vows!
For never again will Belial pass through you.
He has been utterly cut off.
YHWH/God gave the good news – thousands of years before it was fulfilled. He gave the good news as an ordinance to be followed throughout the generations. Generations of who? His followers. It was not for the Israelites, it was not for the Jews, it was for anyone who wanted to follow Him. God says over and over in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) “same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God.”
Even in the Old Testament, it was for “whosoever,” but over time, it became exclusive to the Jewish religion. It is part of what Jesus came to refurbish, restore back to its former glory. (In a previous blog we learned the meaning behind the word ‘new’, as in New Covenant was refurbish, restore).
In Nahum – Judah had been held captive and was not allowed to keep the appointed times of their God, YHWH. God is bringing them back to the good news, to the peace/shalom. He is freeing them to once again celebrate the Shabbats, also called festivals, feasts, or appointed times.
The way God laid out the Good News, thousands of years in advance, makes it an ever lasting good news. He gave it in such a way it was a rehearsal for all generations, for whosoever wanted to be his follower. It proclaims I AM WHO I AM!
God laid the Good News out in his Tabernacle and his “moedim”.
Moedim – it means appointed time, place or meeting. In our English translations we might read Sabbaths, feast, festivals, season, set apart time, appointed sign, and a few others. In addition, some of these times have two and three names. This can make it difficult to follow the theme the whole way through the Bible from beginning to end. It takes quite a bit of study. Even when you think you have it all figured out, he drops another truth to blow your mind.
Today, we can easily forget there are other gods and they have followers. But throughout the Bible times, everyone was well aware of the other gods. Their temples lined the streets. God gave his people a way to be set apart from all the followers of all the other gods. He gave his moedim/Sabbaths as a sign between his followers and him that he was their God (Exodus 31, Ezekiel 20).
If all Christians and Messianic Jews kept the Appointed Times, they would be a witness to everyone around them throughout the year, not just two times a year. It would also make YHWH/God set apart from all the commercialization of the current holidays. He gave them as a way to remember the good news – we were once in bondage but he set us free. Next, we will walk through the Good News God gave us – his testimony about Jesus.
Maybe it is time we test ourselves and hold to what is true?
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1 ESV
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
Romans 3 – NIV
Part 2 – What are the Traditions? This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
NEXT UP: Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
COMING SOON: Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
COMING SOON: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
While many simply decorate because its the thing to do for the season. Others are decorating as a celebration of their god and many of the traditions originated as rituals used in worship gatherings. Regardless of their origin, the meanings attached to them have become the same, irrelevant of the god being celebrated. It is interesting to look at the various sites explaining why they believe their symbol means what it means – not even realizing, all the other god worshipers are saying pretty much the same thing, here are just a few:
If someone took a snapshot of all the homes on a city block, it would be difficult to tell the pagans, witches, wiccans, Christians, and non believers from one another. Even the fruit cakes could get involved. *read with slight sarcasm…Raisin/Grape cakes were used in Ashtoreth worship (Hosea 3:1)*
One of the main reasons everyone is celebrating in the same way – if you read the last blog you already know what is going to be said – has to do with the Roman Emperor Constantine. He and the bishops of the Roman Catholic church “Christianized” all the celebrations. Basically, they didn’t change anything. They mashed all the gods, believers, and traditions together. So even though they remained separate in what god they worshipped, the details of when and how merged together.
All the gods, except Jesus, have been honored for 2,500-3,000+ years with at least one day in December to remember their birth and their miraculous feats.
It is highly unlikely Jesus’s birth was celebrated by any of the disciples, nor the early church fathers, as it was not their custom at that time. There is no contention the early church observed YHWH/God’s Sabbaths well into the fourth century. In observing the Sabbaths they would have indirectly celebrated Jesus, as his birth was foretold thousands of years ahead of time through the Sabbaths.
The tradition of observing God’s Sabbaths eventually changed after Constantine began persecuting anyone observing anything which had to do with the Jews. As the Christians distance themselves from the Jews they began assimilating the Sabbat traditions of the pagans, witches, and wiccans into their celebration of YHWH and his son, Jesus. Eventually it became more and more difficult to tell the celebration of a god born in December apart. As time went on, the Christians began believing they did not have to nor should they keep the Sabbaths of the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), seeing them as strictly for the Jews. The fact YHWH built the message of Jesus into his Sabbaths, spanning thousands of years before his birth, is now completely lost to the Christians.
Constantine was successful in merging all the traditions. Celebration of Jesus became the same day as all the other gods, as well as the same traditions in honoring him.
At some point after Constantine, certain denominations of Christians and Messianic Jews began to recognize the pagan ways of the celebrations and refused to continue their observance well into the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. They found observing Christmas as dishonoring to the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – YHWH and Jesus. They may have measured these traditions against what YHWH/God said in Deuteronomy.
Some modern day Christians are again, foregoing traditions they believe are rooted in pagan ways and turning back to the Sabbaths of YHWH/God. Many site Jeremiah 10, as a reason to not have a Christmas tree, however, as much as this text sounds exactly like our modern Christmas tree, it was talking about the figurines they would whittle out of the wood (or stone), paint them, and put them together with nails and set them under a tree. The tree was called an Asherah pole, a tree or pole in the shape of a tree, used in worship to the goddess Asherah. These trees/poles are spoken of 32 times in the Hebrew Bible (OT), each time the followers are being told to cut them down and burn them and the figurines under them. Asherah (also known as Ishtar/Easter) is a sun goddess referred to several times, along with Baal, two gods YHWH/God had the most contention with. She was the lover of Nimrod/Tammuz also being celebrated on December 25th.
However, today, main stream Christianity continue with their celebration of God and Jesus with the date and traditions developed during the era of Emperor Constantine. They are no longer concerned with the pagan origins as they focus on what is in their hearts: celebrating the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season and the traditions which bring families together.
One thing that is very different is Christians are the only ones with a tradition, at this time of the year, including a Nativity Scene. Nativity literally means occasion of a birth. The Nativity Scene of Jesus is publicly displayed all around towns and the country side. Entire plays and dramatizations are centered around this scene. Although there are figurines, shapes, and art depicting other gods, none are typically used as a nativity/birth scene, nor are they publicly displayed during their celebrations in December.
The Smithsonian says the first Nativity Scene was set up in 1223 by a Franciscan monk (Roman Catholic) – St. Francis of Assisi. There is a story out there going something like this, he set up a scene, and invited everyone to come and see. While they were looking, he preached about Jesus – no wait – “the babe of Bethlehem,” because he was so overcome with emotion, he just couldn’t say Jesus.
Side track note: What is up with that? Not saying this is pertaining to this instance, but there is a verse about someone who does not say Jesus came in flesh.
The scene we typically see today, at least in America, includes:
We’ve covered who is celebrating, who is being celebrated, and what traditions there are. Generally, the pagans, witches, wiccans, and even the Jews have stayed true to their time honored traditions in celebration of their gods for thousands of years. The Christians and the Messianic Jews however have made major changes in the last 1,600 years, some in just the last 300+ years. We’ll take a look at just when did things change for them next.
Micah is a book written around 700 years before Jesus’s birth. The Prophet speaks about the coming birth of a Messiah, Jesus, and the millennial kingdom to come. Nimrod/Tammuz, Asherah, and several other gods are spoken of throughout Micah.
As you read scripture such as Micah, consider, what could the things he refers to be a symbol or representation of in our time? For example, obviously, we no longer have chariots – what might those represent?
The final verses of Chapter 5, :
10 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will destroy your horses from among you
Micah 5 TLV (emphasis added)
and demolish your chariots.
11 I will destroy the cities of your land
and tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
13 I will destroy your idols
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles[e]
when I demolish your cities.
15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath
on the nations that have not obeyed me.”
We are wrapping up (pun intended) The Holiday Season of Christmas as well as the Sabbats of the Winter Solstice, Yule, and Saturnalia.
This is a five part series looking at the Celebrations of the Birth of a God in December.
Part 1 – Who is Celebrating? Who is being Celebrated?
UP NEXT: Part 2 – What are the Traditions?
COMING SOON: Part 3 – When Did Things Change?
COMING SOON: Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
COMING SOON: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
The pagans, witches, and wiccans refer to their set aside times of celebrations as Sabbats. There are typically eight, and the celebrations usually last several days. In December, the dates range from the 20th-28th depending on how things fall. The dates are driven by the shortest and longest days of the year. It is a time to celebrate the return of light. They are celebrating their gods and mother earth.
The Jewish religion has Shabbats which may or may not be the same word as Sabbats used by the pagans, witches, and wiccan – there is much debate on this. The Jews celebrate seven appointed times by the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), none of which occur in December. However, they do celebrate Chanukah/Hanukkah for eight days sometime between November and December – with the dates changing each year. They are celebrating their god, the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They do not celebrate the birth of Jesus.
There are also some Christians and Messianic Jews who have Sabbats and celebrates the appointed times of YHWH. However, most Christians who celebrate Christmas do not celebrate Sabbats. Different Denominations have different Holy Days. Generally, in the month of December, there are a few celebrations centered around their god, the same god as the Jews – the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), and his son called Yeshua/Jesus:
People who have no religion or god, generally celebrate the Christmas Season which can start anytime after Thanksgiving and ends around New Years. They typically gather with family and friends on either Christmas Eve (24th) or Christmas Day (25th).
Other gods are accepted and worshipped among many religions. Even the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YWHW) is accepted in them. However, the acceptance of his son, Jesus, is not always the case.
Christians do not tend to think about there being other gods. Yet, other gods are referred to throughout the Bible and is frequently a contention between YHWH and his people/followers. YHWH/God is referred to as being a “great God and great King above all gods,” “presides in the great assembly,” rendering “judgment among the gods”.
“It was a custom of the pagans to celebrate on the same Dec. 25 the birthday of the sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity …Accordingly, when the church authorities perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnized.
An unknown 4th-century scribe, Scriptus Syrus (The validity of this statement is debated, some see it as authentic, some do not.)
The actual birth date of all of those listed above is generally unknown. There are lots of stories about how each of the births came to be recognized in December. However, one of the main reason everyone is celebrating on December 25th and worshipped weekly on Sunday, has to do with the Roman Emperor Constantine. You can explore the vast amount of information about Constantine and his conversion on your own. But once he chose Christianity as the religion he wanted to follow, he and the bishops of the Roman Catholic church sought to “Christianized” all the celebrations.
Based on my research my opinion became he didn’t want to leave anyone out but he wanted it all to be called Christianity. They basically wanted to merge everything under the title of Christianity because that’s the one he chose. His biggest competition in making this change were the Jews so he outlawed Judaizing. They did things like replace the word Sun – as in sun god to the word Son – as in Son of God. And outlawed worship services on Saturday and made everyone switch to Sunday. Prior to that the Jews and the Christians worshiped on Saturday. And most of the pagans worshiped on Sunday. Eventually this took hold and became the norm for most of the world.
Because of the changes Constantine made, the traditions and origins of the dates and the celebrations have become so entwined, there’s plenty of debate on who started what first. Whether it started with the pagans, witches, wiccan, Christianity, or even the Jews can be highly debated and left unreconciled. We’ll take a look at the traditions next.
1In the sight of Elohim and the Master יהושע Messiah, who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His reign, I earnestly charge you: 2Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Convict, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching. 3For there shall be a time when they shall not bear sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they shall heap up for themselves teachers tickling the ear, 4and they shall indeed turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths. 5But you be sober in all matters, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, accomplish your service completely.
2 Timothy 4 TS2009
A Mother’s Thoughts – Day 547
We had some interesting visitors today. I had Jesus outside playing when the strange looking men came up, bowed down in front of Jesus and started worshiping him. They didn’t say hi or anything, they just bowed down and worshiped Jesus.
After a few moments they got up and went to their treasures and presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Once again, I found myself in awe and wonder. They were gone as quickly as they had come.
So strange. Joseph and I wondered if these were those spoke of by Isaiah. He said, “And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.” He also said, ““The islands and coastlands will confidently wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from far away, Their silver and gold with them, For the name of the Lord your God, For the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you.”
We also talked about the Psalm we recite that says, “The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring offerings; The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. Yes, all kings will bow down before him, All nations will serve him.”
Maybe one day we will know. All I know is these gifts are usually given to honor kings, so they must have known who Jesus is. They must have come a great distance.
Off to prepare our meal before calling it a night. What an eventful day. Much to ponder once again.
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really were her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
Let’s take a look into Scripture to see what we can find related to the Christian Winter Holidays:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/P0SDT18ydcQ
Rumble: https://rumble.com/v42165t-scripture-survey-video-christian-winter-holidays.html
A Mother’s Thoughts – Day 42
We took Jesus to his Redemption of the Son (pidyon ha-ben). It was a very unique experience. We saw a man there, his name was Simeon. When we took Jesus into the Temple Courts, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God. He said, ““Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” He truly was a man with the Spirit upon him. How else would he know who Jesus was? Joseph and I were in awe and just stood there and stared.
Simeon then turned to us and blessed us. I will never forget, he looked at me and said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” My heart sank and my breath was caught right out of my lungs.
We found out later it had been revealed to this Simeon, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. We are still in awe and wonderment.
We also met a prophet named Anna, she was very old and was a widow. Many people told us she never left the temple, she was there worshiping night and day. She fasted and prayed. She came up to us and gave thanks to God. She continued to speak of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.
Joseph and I finished everything we were required to do according to the Law and then left Jerusalem. On our long journey to Galilee, we talked over and over about the day and all the events and people we spoke too. What a crazy day, it will be etched in our minds for a long time.
Joseph talked about the phrase Simeon said about being a light and how it sounded very similar to something Isaiah had said,
“Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” … “And now the Lord says,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him;
and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Gentiles? I can’t even imagine. And sometimes it is so surreal to think of how I was spoke of so many years ago. “Called from the womb, from the body of my mother,” That is me! It can be so overwhelming at times.
As young women, we dream of our children, and what they will become, what kind of life they will have. And here I am, the mother of a child who was spoke of some 700 years ago. The prophets spoke of him and the path laid out before him. His mission and it’s ending have already been foretold. Simeon is right, a sword will pierce my heart, I can almost feel it now.
Too much to think about, too much to feel. But I must remember, as Isaiah spoke, “my God has been my strength.” He is my strength, my comfort.
It’s been a long journey. I am going to try to rest now. My mind will settle and my heart find peace with just one look at his face. His small hands and feet … his smile as he looks at me … his eyes with a light that seems will shine forever … yes, he is a light, a light unto the world.
We will let tomorrow take care of tomorrow, what can we gain by worrying about it anyway, we will let tomorrow worry about itself.
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really were her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
A Mother’s Thoughts – Day 28
He’s almost a month old today, how quickly time flies. We are getting ready to travel to Jersulem for Jesus’s pidyon haben. It will be as God commanded in consecrate Jesus, our firstborn male. As He said, “the first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” I’m really not sure what to bring, it is my first journey with Jesus. It’s only a 5 mile journey, but who knows what it will be like with a new born.
We aren’t a wealthy family, but are very blessed. Joseph is going to get “a pair of doves or two young pigeons” for Jesus’s atonement. I am thankful for Josephs willingness to embrace this even though Jesus is not his son.
I have preparations to make so this will be a short entry. Seems my time has been cut in half since becoming a mother. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Hmmm, funny thought just came to mind. I wouldn’t trade it for the world … and yet, Jesus will be traded for the world. And here we are preparing for his redemption, yet he will BE our redemption. Makes me recall a holy scripture from our Prophet Isaiah, “The Redeemer will come to Zion.” He has come, and yet few know. Wow, I think I will ponder on this all day long as we prepare.
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really were her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
A Mothers Thoughts – Day 8
Jesus was circumcised today. I’ve been to Circumcision Rituals before, but today, well, today was a hard one as no mother wants to hear her child in pain. But it is something that needs to be done. Something we very much wanted to do. It is an honor to obey our God. I will never forget this day.
Jesus was welcomed by everyone as they said, “Blessed be he that comes”. The Sephardim sang a piyyut. I brought him to his godmother who handed him over at the door of the room to his godfather who, gave him to the mohel. He was placed, just for a moment on the Chair of Elijah. It was at that moment, I remembered something the angel had said to Zachariah, the angel was talking about John and he said, “He will herald God’s arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he’ll get the people ready for God.” (Luke 1) In the style and strength of Elijah … It made me also think about one of the things that Malachi prophesied, “I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. …” (Malachi 4), I wonder, was he speaking about John?
After this they placed Jesus on a pillow on the knees of the holder, who held his legs firmly. The mohel got a firm grip of the foreskin with his left hand, and with a knife in the right hand took one sweep. Oh, my heart sank at that point. With his thumbnail and index finger, the mohel firmly grasped the edge of the disclosed mucous membrane tore it down the center as far as the corona. My mind drifted, recalling a prophesy of Zechariah, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12) Pierced … my mind began to sing a Psalm (22) of David’s,
Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
Pierced … Will this be what my baby boy, my son, Jesus will endure? What lies ahead for him? I will trust in the Lord my God to be my strength and be with me and Jesus, regardless of what lies ahead. He is our Shepherd and He will guide and comfort us. As I drifted out of my own thoughts the mohel had already sucked the blood from the area, applied a dressing, and wrapped Jesus up. Joseph was reciting the benediction “Who hast hallowed us by Thy commandments and hast commanded us to make our sons enter into the covenant of Abraham our father.” The She-Heheyanu benediction was given and the guests replied “Even as this child has entered into the covenant so may he enter into the Torah, the nuptial canopy, and into good deeds.”
Jesus was handed to Joseph. The mohel, holding a goblet of wine, recited the benediction for wine and a second benediction praising God who established a covenant with His people Israel. Followed by a prayer for Jesus’ welfare, his name was announced. As this was happening, it hit me, both Joseph and I are from the line of David … both of us. Both the prophets Samuel (2nd 7) and Isaiah (9) prophesied that the Messiah would come from the line of David. We are also from the line Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Judah! (Genesis 12, 17, 21, 22, and 49; Numbers 24) It is amazing how God has brought this all to being. I am honored to have been His vessel in this which He is about to bring about.
We had a festive meal and sang special hymns. During the grace after meals blessings were recited for Joseph and I, the sandak and the mohel. I’m sure those with me today are completely unaware of who this little baby boy really is and what he will do one day. What he will do for THEM one day, the blessing which he really is.
What a day, what a glorious day!
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really where her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
A Mother’s Thoughts – Day 7
I’ve been so busy with our new baby and getting ready for tomorrow I haven’t had time to write. I am so excited and nervous about tomorrow. Tomorrow He will be circumcised according to the Law of Moses (Exodus 13:2, 22:29 and Leviticus 12). Eight days old, hard to believe it’s been a week since I gave birth.
I am so nervous. I am sure this circumcision is a painful thing for a baby boy. My heart aches for Him and what he will go through tomorrow. But it is something we must do. God has commanded us and it is our Abrahamic covenant with God. It will mark Yeshua/Jesus as being a part of this covenant.
I am excited as well as He will officially be given the name of Yeshua/Jesus. This is when we would have named Him normally, but since the angel had already given us His name, we knew it ahead of time. Jesus … what a sweet sounding name. I’m sure Joseph will proudly stand by Jesus. He has been so understanding with all of this.
Of course, he wasn’t so understanding when I first told him I was pregnant. He was still a kind man at that point, as he was going to quietly and secretly divorce me to spare me the public shame and disgrace. But an angel came to him in a dream. The angel told Joseph not to be afraid, that I had conceived this child by the Holy Spirit. The angel told Joseph to call him Jesus, for he would save His people from their sins. Joseph took me as His wife immediately and let me remain a virgin. Oh how I treasure this man.
Yes, I am sure he will be proud to stand up and call Jesus his son, even if Jesus is not bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. God has called him to a high office, allowing Joseph to be Jesus’s earthly father. I’m sure that Joseph will walk in the way of our God. His first duty being tomorrow.
There are many preparations to be made, so I’m off. I’m sure I will need to tend to Jesus as he heals from his circumcision, not sure when I’ll have a chance to write again. So excite for what God has planned for this little one’s life!
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really where her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
A Mothers Thoughts – Day 3
As I was playing with him today, goo gooing and gah gahing, I thought back to when I first was told I would be giving birth to him. The angel that visited me had told me my relative, Elizabeth, had also conceived a son. I was floored!! Elizabeth was old and barren! Yet she was already six months pregnant? I just had to see for myself and I headed right off to Judah and my relatives, Zachariah and Elizabeth’s.
It was a little bit odd, yet awesome when I first arrived. As soon as Elizabeth’s baby heard my voice, it leap in her womb! Then Elizabeth cried out in a loud cry and exclaimed something about me being blessed and the fruit of my womb being blessed. Then she really blew me away, she said, and I will never forget this, she called me, “the mother of my Lord.” How would she know this except by God! I hadn’t told anyone! At that I couldn’t help but magnify the Lord our God!
I left them just before their son, John, was born. I have to say, it was nice to have someone else who could relate to my experiences. An angel had told them of their upcoming son and his name as well. I didn’t feel quite as alone on this journey God has placed me on.
Maybe John and Jesus will be able to relate to each other in some way as well. I wonder if John will know Jesus as soon as he sees Him, just as he knew my voice from in Elizabeth’s womb. I vaguely remember something Isaiah said (Isaiah 40:3) about a voice calling out of the wilderness making a way for our God. I wonder if that could have meant John? Zachariah was told by the angel John would go before and prepare the way for Jesus.
Oh, how I wish I could talk to Elizabeth right now. John would be about 6 months old. I wonder if she feels any pressure raising the man who will prepare the way for the Messiah? I wonder if she thinks of me? I miss her and the kindred spirit I felt when I was with her. It seems so long ago. Maybe we’ll see each other again soon.
Well, he’s fussing a little, going to go see what he needs. He really is a peaceful baby. I am very blessed, just as Elisabeth said, very blessed indeed.
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really where her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
A Mother’s Thoughts – Day 2
As I nursed him tonight, I am considering some of the things I learned at Temple about the Messiah that was to come. I thought of the reading from what the prophet Isaiah declared (Isaiah 7:13-14), saying the Lord Himself will give a sign, and that sign would be a virgin being with child, bearing a son … it hit me … I am that virgin! Me … it’s unbelievable to me. I know it will be hard for those around me to believe I was a virgin … well, I still AM a virgin. There is no way for me to prove it to them, but let them think what they want, I know what is true of myself. And tonight I realized, I am the virgin Isaiah spoke of so very long ago. I had to catch my breath when it hit me.
Then I looked down at the child, and the realization hit me. THIS is our Messiah. Oh, I’ve known it all along, but I really didn’t KNOW it until tonight. This child I birthed, this baby I nurse, this little boy in my arms is literally God with us – Immanuel! He is God with us in the flesh!
Then I though about what Micah said (Micah 5:2-3) about Bethlehem. Six months ago I would not have known I would give birth in Bethlehem of all places. And yet, here I am. It amazes me how God has brought us here.
How will I ever be able to raise this child, the one Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7) called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? How will I prepare him to shoulder a government? The one which Isaiah said the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end? How? I am just a young woman? Oh wait, as I recall the rest of the prophesy, it said, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” It won’t be up to me, this young virgin, to carry the weight of all this. My God will.
Well, it seems He needs another diaper changed. How could such a divine being smell so bad? haha! I will remember to remind him of this when he grows up. I’ll say, “Listen here young man, you may be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, but I’ve changed your stinky diaper and don’t you forget it!”
Immanuel … wow …
This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really where her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her.
A Mother’s Thoughts – Day 1
Four days of travel, 9 months pregnant, I would not recommend to anyone. I guess Caesar Augustus would have no idea what that would be like now would he! Yet, we reached Bethlehem, safe and sound, just to find everyone else had gotten here before us. If you had seen Joseph’s face when I told him I was about to give birth, lol, priceless. He is such a good man, he looked around and didn’t know what to do. So many had gotten here before us, there wasn’t any room for us in the main area of the guest chambers, but thankfully we were able to find some room, even if it wasn’t in the inn. There are many others with us who were either late arrivals, or couldn’t afford a normal guest room. We made do quite nicely though, this little area we are in provides a little privacy. One advantage is all the hay provides a nice resting spot. When Joseph looked around, I think his thought was, “Here, in THIS place, the child of God is going to be born?”
And right here he was born. He’s asleep over there in the manger. As a carpenter and stone mason, Joseph can be so industrious. He brought it over, threw some hay in it and made a perfect bed for our little bundle of joy. We even had visitors last night. Can’t imagine why anyone would want to come here, especially without being forced to by the government. Such a heavily crowded place. But they did, just the same. They were shepherds who were far off in the fields. They said they were visited by an angel and told of our baby’s birth. The shepherds were here all night. Joseph is over there talking with them now as I catch a little rest.
I remember when I was visited by an angel and told I would be the mother of this child. I was troubled, disturbed, and confused. But the angel said the same thing to me as he said to the shepherd’s, “Do not be afraid.” A peace came over me, but when he told me the Holy Spirit was going to come upon me and I would become pregnant, I have to admit, I was afraid. Yet, I knew YHWH/God was with me, and I said, “I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said.”
The angel told me his name, Yehoshua (Iēsous, Jesus). He told me that Yehoshua would “be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David and reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end.”
I just can’t even imagine that right now. He is just a baby. He does what all baby’s do. Honestly, he doesn’t seem any different, not special in any significant way. Oh, he is special to me, because he is my son, but just a normal little baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a feeding trough, in the back of the guest quarters, where the poor people and even animals have stayed. It just doesn’t seem like the way a child of God would be born. But such are the ways of God.
The shepherds told us there was a multitude of angels praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. What does all this mean for my little boy? How can he ever reign with no end yet there be peace on earth? No one ever reigns in peace. And what does good will toward men mean? Oh, I pray I am given what I need to bring this little boy up in such a way that he is prepared for what God has in store for him.
Well, he is stirring. He has such a peace and joy about him. He only cries when he needs something. I love him so much, I am so thankful God has chosen me to care for him.
PLEASE NOTE: This is written from a Mother’s Perspective – specifically from Mary’s. I did a lot of research into what it would have been like, but this is STRICTLY my imagination, there is no guarantee any of this really happened or really were her thoughts. I do use scripture through out. However, it’s mostly how I think I might have thought if I were her. Enjoy!
Although we’ve come to what has been labeled as the end of a Chapter, it is not the end of the Torah/Teaching Jesus is giving. We can’t set everything he’s said to this point aside just because we are moving into Chapter 6.
Let’s keep these things in mind:
Heard it said – Love your neighbor, … Love? The Greek word is agape. It is also used later in Matthew 22 when Jesus says to Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This means we should know this kind of love is something of importance. If we look up agape in a concordance, we’ll see meanings such as to welcome, wish well, entertain, show preference for. But in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, we see the phrase ‘v’ahavta’.
“Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people. And you shall love (v’ahavta) your neighbor as yourself. I am YHWH.
Leviticus 19:18
This kind of love is active and requires actions. We can’t just wish a neighbor well, we do well to a neighbor. We don’t just say they are welcome, we do things to show they are welcome. This isn’t about a feeling, it’s about a doing.
Heard it said – Hate your enemy … This is an example of why Jesus is so against the religious leaders of the day, because they made up man made laws and taught them as though they came from YHWH/God. There isn’t anywhere in Torah/Law of Moses, that says to hate your enemy. You won’t find those words, look it up.
And/But I/Jesus say – love your enemy, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you,
We see several verses in the Torah such as if your enemy is hungry or thirsty give him bread and water – Proverbs 25; Set bread and water before them 2 Kings 6; If you meet your enemy’s ox – bring it back to him. Exodus 23. None of these things sound like hateful actions, do they?
pray for those accusing you falsely, those persecuting you. … this one can take on a whole new meaning if you truly understand what the word here tefilla/prayer means to the people Jesus is speaking to. A lot could be learned in looking into this word but for content sake, telfilla is about changing the person doing it. On the tefilla project page they say:
Tefilla, then, is the balance between receiving exactly what we deserve, and on the other hand, providing us the opportunity to grow and elevate ourselves to another level, beyond our current state.
The Tefilla Project / Rabbi Ariel Tal
(Adapted from the lecture on Prayer by Rabbi Akiva Tatz on simpletoremember.com)
Once again, God has a flipped reality from what we think. We think we are praying for our enemy, but it really is about changing ourselves.
So you will be sons of your Father in the heavens/where God reigns … We love our enemies in order to benefit ourselves. By loving our enemies, we show the essence of our Father. We also are showing just how much we trust our Father. We have to trust he is just.
As sons of your father in heaven, you will do what he does and he causes His sun to rise on evil and good and he sends rain on righteous and unrighteous … Remember tov/good and ra/bad from previous blogs? Here it is shown as plural: the tovim/good and tzaddikim/righteous ones compared to the raim/bad and reshai/unrighteous ones. All too often we forget we can also be considered someone’s enemy. Justifiably or not, it is highly likely at one point or another we will be someone’s enemy. And don’t forget, Jesus sacrificed for “whosoever” and “while” we were still in sin. Thankfully, he didn’t wait for us to become his neighbor or his brother before he loved, blessed, and did good to us.
If you love those loving you – what reward do you have? … The literal Hebrew translation would be “what wages will reach to you?”
Tax Collectors love those loving them. … the literal Hebrew translation would be wicked ones – not necessarily tax collectors. Stop for a moment and consider – what if you were a Tax Collector sitting and listening to Jesus. What if you were the writer, Matthew, recording this?
If you greet your brothers only, what do you do abundant? … Basically, what are you doing different then those you don’t want to be like?
[blank] also greet their brothers … there are several translations used where the blank is: nations, pagans, gentiles, tax collectors, publicans, etc. We can get the picture here – just think of someone we don’t want to be like and realize if we only greet the people we like, we are just like the one we don’t like.
Therefore, be perfect, as your Father in the heavens is perfect … there was an Aramaic idiom at that time meaning to know all about a trade, to be all inclusive which was very similar to what Jesus said here.
Yet, if we knew the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament as well as those listening did, when he spoke these words, there are two torah/teachings which would have jumped to the front of our minds.
But let’s talk about the word perfect here, you might want to sit down for this one, let go of everything you thought you knew about perfect.
Shlemim (שְׁלֵמִים) – in general it means whole, complete, restore. We see this word used in several places which can help us understand more clearly:
If we understand how the word perfect, besides being whole, mature, and complete, also has to do with payment, restitution, and restoring, we can understand how it is not an out of the blue statement following Jesus’s rhetorical questions in Verses 46 and 47.
I can see some struggles with the concept of loving, blessing, and doing good to those hating you, due to the picture of a mean God we have when reading the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. We all know what he has done to some of his enemies, and if he does that, what is a little bit of “hate” for our enemies in comparison right?
God IS a just, kind, merciful god. He gives unsparingly to those we would say should not be given to, he let’s the sun rise and the rain come, even on the despicable. In fact, if you read more closely, he is much harsher on those who call him Father, than those who do not. And he is most harsh on those who intend to do harm to those who call him Father.
Because God is kind, merciful, and just, even to the evil people, it doesn’t mean he hates them. And as his children, we should not become like them (hating and being evil), we should become more like Him. It doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences for our enemy’s actions. This again, is Jesus taking what was seen as a physical sin and turning it into a heart sin. There may be punishment to dish out – but it shouldn’t come from an angry, hateful feeling in your heart.
This one can sure be a tough one to walk out. Imagine the impact of applying these verses to today’s world. Oh, how different it would be.
Before we dig into this one:
Now, are you ready for what is about to be taught by Jesus? Put away your preconceived ideas and let Jesus teach you.
You (the disciples) heard that it was said to the ancients … The ancients, the first ones, the leaders, people long ago – who are they talking about? Most would answer “the Jews,” or “The Israelites,” but these would not be correct. We would all associate the do not murder with what we call the Ten Commandments. Who were those given to:
Do not murder … Let’s talk about murder. The concept of murder in the Old Testament is something which can not be done accidentally. It means taking a life willfully – on purpose. The only “accidental” taking of life which carried the same penalty of a life taken willfully is in Exodus 21 when people are fighting and a pregnant woman is struck and gives birth prematurely and there is serious injury resulting in death. It also is not an offense to murder during war. If a life was taken by accident, they could run to a sanctuary city so the family of the deceased wouldn’t kill them.
subject to, fit for, in danger of, judgment – There was a requirement of at least two witnesses in order to convict someone (Deut 19) making them fit for judgment. You have to remember, at this time, the people had seen mighty acts of God, entire people groups swallowed up, a physical presence of God. They did not need to be convinced he would know if they had done something wrong. There real struggle was grasping what God found wrong, their draw to return to their old ways from living in Egypt. Don’t cha think we have the same issues today?
The Hebrew word used here for judgement is mishpat. It is translated a variety of ways making it hard for us to see connections in our English Bible translations. We see this word in Genesis 18, Abraham and his household shomer/keep to do tzedakah/right and mishpat/just. We find a list of mishpatim/ordinances (plural of mishpat) in Exodus 21 a long list begins and the Israelite camp agrees to them in Exodus 24. We find mishpat/laws about personal injury and murder in this list.
As Christians we try to lump everything under “the law” or “the commandments” but this is not the way the Hebrew Bible is laid out. The Torah has many different recommendations just like we have today. There is a difference between a civil and criminal crime, we have guidelines, mandates, ordinances, laws etc. Not all are prosecutable and not all carry jail time. Its the same in the Torah.
God tells his chosen people, shomer/keep my chukkot/decrees and mishpatim/laws, in Exodus 18. This is a phrase he repeats over and over.
We see this same word in John 12 along with some other words we’ve been looking at:
As Ohr/light I have come into the Hazeh/world (earth), so that everyone who trusts in Me should not remain in choshech/darkness.
“If anyone hears My dvarim/words but doesn’t shomer/keep them, I do not judge him; for I came to save the Hazeh/world, not to mishpat/judge the Hazeh/world. The one who rejects Me and doesn’t receive My dvarim/words has a Shofet/judge; the dvar/word I spoke will judge him on the last day.
TLV (emphasis and Hebrew words added)
Are you getting what Jesus is putting down there? Hear and keep or hear and be judged. His words will save us from judgment. This is the whole works/faith concept. If you love him (faith), you will keep (works) his words. If you don’t keep (works) his words you must not really love (faith) him. If you don’t keep (works) his words, you open yourself up to be mishpat/judged by those very same words.
But – And … In each of these statements, most translations use the word ‘but’ here, however, it is worth noting, this same word is also translated as indeed, and, and also, for, then, so, however, because … you can see the range of available options here. Many Hebrew scholars lean toward the ‘and’ as opposed to the ‘but’. It was a well known saying, “you have heard it said, but I say …” with a meaning of, let me add to what you’ve already heard to give a deeper understanding. Take that as you may.
who is angry … Well, this one sounds like it’s going to get us all in trouble! Literal translations have a bit some clarifying statements like: Angry without cause, hates, wroth (has wrath). The Greek word carries a meaning of manipulation with it. It also is a fixed anger, it’s an attitude toward someone as an opponent and fixed on punishment. This isn’t about being mad at someone for a few minutes. Its a feeling toward someone you carry with you. Leviticus 19 says do not hate your brother in your heart.
Jesus says, you think God’s command is about taking a life, it isn’t, it’s about your heart toward others, especially when it’s negatively fixed on punishment and without cause. Not murdering may keep the letter of his mishpat/law, but it doesn’t keep the heart of the mishpat/law. If you live like this, you have placed yourself in danger of judgement.
AND … this is from Logos Bible Software – the word highlighted in yellow – is this word, the word highlighted in green, is the word used for But above. However, these are chosen Greek words. It was a matter of a choice by the interpreter.
Hold on now, we are about to hit some tough bumps.
Whoever says raca … Well, thank goodness we don’t ever say raca right? Do you say ‘Peti!’? Yeah probably not. How about any of these? Empty fellow? Easy to Seduce? Stupid? Ouch, I’m guessing that one got most of us. Some other’s that could apply here: Empty headed, senseless, worthless, good for nothing. This is the only place in all of scripture this word appears. At that time, it was a very strong insult and usually said with utter contempt, a strong feeling of disliking or despising. It was so offensive because everyone is created in the image of God. This was saying they had no spiritual connection to God, a mistake. Just like the anger, this seems to be an action out of a feeling which is on-going. This might be something we’ll all be thinking on later, or at least we should.
If a disciple does that he is in danger of the Sanhedrim. This basically means judgment again. The Sanhedrin were the judicial council of the Jews. These are the people who tried Jesus, Paul, and several of the disciples.
And … whoever says … this one is going to get us all … moron, rebel, fool. This is the noun form of the word used earlier in Matthew describing the salt loosing it’s taste. It refers to someone not functioning properly. It is used later in Matthew 25:3. There is more to this than just calling someone a fool. Jesus says anyone hearing his words and not doing them is a fool in Matthew 7. And he calls people fools in Matthew 23. In 1 Corinthians 1, we read God has chosen the fools of the world. But this is talking about someone who is falsely or incorrectly accusing someone of doing something wrong.
In the Hebrew scriptures found, the part about the Sanhedrim and the moron do not appear. It indicates whoever says raca is in danger of fire of Gei-Hinnom.
In danger of fire of Gei-Hinnom – this was a literal place at the time. It was a very nasty place, full of darkness. It was called the Valley of Hinnom, well, it is still called that today, it just isn’t so nasty anymore. This is where The adversary/satan and his messengers will be put. So, yeah, not a place you want to be in danger of going.
Jesus is making this old law new – back a few blogs we discovered the Hebrew meaning to new is like our words refurbish or renovate. Restoring something to it’s former glory. He isn’t creating a brand new command, he is refurbishing the original which has been beaten up, distorted, and doesn’t look much like it did when it was first created. This is YHWH/God’s law found in the Torah/First Five Books of Our Bible.
Let’s refresh before moving forward, Jesus is talking about someone:
It seems Jesus is more concerned about the heart than the action. Yet, it seems, if someone carries these kind of feelings, over time, given the wrong situation, it could very easily become purposefully killing someone.
Purposefully killing someone … hmmm … if we continually have an unjust anger, see someone as an opponent, are fixed on them receiving punishment, and have an utter contempt, disliking, or despising for them, could our actions, words, posture, and demeanor toward them slowly and purposefully kill them inside?
Could carrying all these feelings around purposefully kill us from the inside?
We are going to stop right here. Take some time to evaluate your heart. Does this describe you? Is there someone you hold these kind of feelings toward? Are you carrying an unjust anger toward someone? Do you want to see someone punished for a reason not worthy of punishment?
Do you have these kind of feelings about yourself? That can’t be good either, right?
Just like God said to the first human murderer, Abel:
Is it not if you do tov/good, you are to be accepted? And if you do not do tov/good, towards the door is a sin.
Genesis 4 (TS2009)
Read Matthew 5:14-16 Light of the World and
Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus – the Law and the Prophets first
There seems to be a connection between Genesis 1 and 2 and Revelation 21 and 22 to Matthew 5:13-20 passages. It is fascinating and worth peeking at and appreciating before we move on …
In the beginning God created the hashomayim/heavens and the haaretz /earth. Now the earth was chaos and waste, darkness was on the surface of the deep, and the Ruach Elohim was hovering upon the surface of the water. Then God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. God saw that the light was tov /good. So God distinguished the ohr/light from the choshech/darkness.
Then Adonai Elohim formed the man out of the dust from the ground and He breathed into his nostrils a breath of life—so the man became a living being. Then Adonai Elohim planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. Then Adonai Elohim caused to sprout from the ground every tree that was desirable to look at and good for food.
Now the Tree of Life was in the middle of the garden, and also the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became four riverheads.
Then I saw a Shomayim Chadashim/new heaven and a Eretz Chadasha/new earth; for the shomayim harishonah/first heaven and the haaretz harishonah/first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city—the New Jerusalem—coming down out of Shomayim /heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I also heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is among men, and He shall tabernacle among them. They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them and be their God.
I saw no temple in her, for its Temple is Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot and the Lamb. And the city has no need for the shemesh /sun or the levanah /moon to shine on it, for the glory of God lights it up, and its menorah /lamp is the Lamb. The nations shall walk by its Ohr/light, and the kings of the ha’aretz /earth bring their glory into it. Its gates shall never be shut by day, for there shall be no night there! And they shall bring into it the glory and honor of the nations.
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s street. On either side of the river was a Etz HaChayyim/tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. Night shall be no more, and people will have no need for ohr/light menorah /lamplight or shemesh/sunlight—for Adonai Elohim will ohr /shine on them. And they shall reign forever and ever!
TLV (Emphasis and Hebrew words added)
The New Heaven and New Earth are a picture of Eden. Revelation comes full circle back to Genesis.
Do you remember a few blogs back when we learned what the word New actually meant? This word in Hebrew is slightly different than what we think of when we think new. It typically means, ‘to restore to a previous condition.’ Another word we might use today is refurbished. Revelation is a picture of a New Eden, where Heaven and Earth co-existed. It is being restored to it’s previous glorious condition.
Back in Genesis, Man and Woman were supposed to rule over the earth. Here is Revelation, we see Man and Woman are reigning with God forever in New Jerusalem!
And Yeshua said to them, “Amen, I tell you, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne in the new world, you who have followed Me shall also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for My name’s sake, will receive a hundred times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Matthew 19 (TLV)
We’re going to step through this one, one thought at a time. Set aside your preconceived ideas and just let Jesus tell you what he wants to tell you.
Do not suppose – do not – whatever comes next we are not to do.
Do not suppose I [Jesus] came to throw down – thrown down – the original wording carries the idea of dissolve, disunite, destroy, overthrow, loosen, undo.
Do not suppose I [Jesus] came to dissolve, destroy, loosen, undo the Torah/law or the Neviim/prophets. What is the Torah/law or the Neviim/prophets? To the disciples he is teaching they would know instantly what this meant. For us today, we would generally say, “the Old Testament.” They would have been a little more specific but for now, lets just go with “the Old Testament.”
Do not suppose I [Jesus] came to dissolve, destroy, loosen, undo what was written in the Old Testament. I [Jesus] did not come to dissolve, destroy, loosen, undo – did you see that there? Just in case they missed it, it’s repeated – let’s get this perfectly clear now, I [Jesus] did not come to dissolve, destroy, loosen, undo what was written in the Old Testament. Got that thought?
Then he tells us why he came. I [Jesus] came to fulfill the Old Testament. Here’s where things can get a bit controversial. Remember, we are in a ceasefire moment, which means you are listening to understand, not necessarily to agree. Lets really look at the word typically translated as fulfill. The Hebrew concept is to confirm. The Greek concept is to complete.
Set aside your preconceived ideas on this word – let’s pretend we have no idea what it means because it’s another language. We have English all around this foreign word, let’s see what we can know about it – without knowing the word.
Let’s keep going to see if anything else Jesus says will help us out.
Let’s first look at that word translated as ‘until‘. In Greek the word is eōs and in the King James version of the bible, it has been translated as: till (28x), unto (27x), until (25x), to (16x), till (with G3739) (11x), miscellaneous (41x). Whoa! Miscellaneous 41x? Interesting. This same word is used in:
Not sure this gives us a very definitive answer, but we have an idea.
We could make note that in Matthew 24, Jesus alludes to it being a specific day – “about that day or hour no one knows.”
Jesus says, until the Shamayin/heaven and the haretz/earth pass away. Pass away – perish, disappear. Heaven is generally seen as where YHWH/God is – the word Shamayim can also refer to the sky. Earth is where man is. In the beginning, Elohim created the shamayin/heaven and the haretz/earth. We could then understand it to say either:
At this point, there are only two options:
According to Jesus, both can not be true at the same time. This may be a bit of a struggle for you at the moment. You are either thinking, “How could heaven and earth have passed away?” Or you are thinking, “We are not under the Mosaic law, that’s what I’ve always been taught.” Or maybe you are having both thoughts at the same time! Take a breath, relax, and lets read on to see what else we might learn.
There are a few thoughts out there on heaven and earth passing away:
At this point, maybe you aren’t sure which one you subscribe to, that’s okay, just keep reading and then come back to that thought later on.
One literal Hebrew interpretation reads this way, “I say unto you in truth, that not one word will be diminished from the Torah – that it would not be performed until the end of the world.” This could help take away many questions as to whether heaven and earth have passed away.
If you subscribe to the first or fourth thought process, then heaven and earth have not passed away.
Jesus says, If heaven and earth have not passed away, then:
neither will pass away, disappear, perish from the Torah/Law until everything is accomplished.
In Ezekiel 36, God said he would give a new heart and put in a new spirit and put his Spirit in which would move his people to follow his chukkot/decrees and be careful to shomer/keep his laws.
Jeremiah 31 records God saying he would put his law in their minds and write it on their hearts. He would be their God, and his people.
Luke 16 records, “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Torah/Law.”
God’s spirit is an Old Testament concept, not a New Testament one. And His spirit brings people to the Torah/Law. So the Spirit’s coming doesn’t seem to indicate the Torah/Law going.
We come to another questionable phrase “everything is accomplished.” What is everything? Literal Hebrew translated this as “until the end of the world,” or “until all may come to pass.” Literal Greek translates as “all it might become.” The Greek word is γινομαι (ginomai) and it means to be, begin to be, or begin to be in a certain state or condition. It’s where we get our words gene and generation. It does not indicate the completion or accomplishment of something, but rather the beginning of something happening.
When the disciples heard this, they may have thought back:
14 “Now today I am about to go the way of all the earth. You will know with all your heart and with all your soul that not one word of the good things which Adonai your God spoke concerning you has failed to happen. All of them have come to pass for you; not one word has failed. 15 Now it will be that just as all the good things which Adonai your God has spoken to you have come upon you, so all the evil things will Adonai bring upon you, until He has wiped you off this good land which Adonai your God has given you. 16 When you transgress the covenant of Adonai your God, which He commanded you, and go and worship other gods and bow down to them, then will the anger of Adonai burn against you, and you will perish quickly off this good land which He has given you.”
Joshua 23
What do we know so far?
Moving on …
Jesus goes on to say, because I have not come to dissolve, destroy, loosen, undo what was written in the Old Testament and because none of the Torah/Law will pass away until where God is (or the sky) and where man is passes away, whoever breaks one of the least of these mitzvot/commandments OR teaches …
The Greek word translated as breaks means to loose, unbind, or disintegrate of what was previously tied, bound, or integrated. The same word is used when John the Baptist talked about untying a sandal, when Jesus told the disciples they would find a colt and untie it. And when Jesus said “destroy (disintegrate) this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
Interesting, it is also used in this passage:
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.[j] On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything done on it shall be exposed. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Live your lives in holiness and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. In that day the heavens will be dissolved by fire, and the elements will melt in the intense heat. [k] 13 But in keeping with His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.[l]
2 Peter 3 TLV
What is the least of the mitzvot/commandments? The mitzvot to the disciples being taught would have referred to the 613 WRITTEN commandments we would find in the first five books of our Old Testament. There could have been some among them which would have considered the Oral traditions as well. As far as which is the least? It really doesn’t matter does it, if they break it, they are least Where God Reigns/Kingdom of Heaven right?
And then Jesus says the opposite is true as well. If a disciple keeps and teachs the mitzvot/commandments, they shall be called great Where God Reigns/Kingdom of Heaven. If we pause here, we would say – well, they both end up in the same place, it’s just one is least and one is greatest right?
As if Jesus has read some of their thoughts he goes on to say, unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Pharisees and Torah scholars, …
Righteousness – we have a few blogs on here talking about that. Basically righteousness is being in right relationship with YHWH/God and others. To be in right relationship with God, you have to follow his laws. By keeping his laws, you will remain in right relationships with others as well. Hey, is this sounding like something else Jesus said when asked what was the greatest commandment … yeah, not a coincidence for sure. If you break a law, and get out of right relationship, you have to bring a sacrifice, aka Jesus to put you back in right relationship.
Pharisees and Torah scholars – people would have thought WHOA! at this point. These people thought themselves to be the most high and mighty when it came to spiritual things. However, many times Jesus has rebuked them, said they don’t even do what they teach. Which is the point here. Don’t be someone who knows what is right but doesn’t do it. Don’t be hearers of the Word – be doers of the Word.
And what happens if they are not in right relationship with God and others? Jesus says, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Kingdom of heaven is Where God Reigns. So if you aren’t following God’s ways, then you aren’t really under his reign now are you?
I saw this somewhere, don’t remember where, “Are we to believe that God punished Israel for not obeying the laws of God so he sent his Son to die so that they did not have to follow the law?” That one will get you thinking a bit, no?
There is a lot here to take in, especially since it brings a bit of tension to some well established beliefs. This is exactly how his disciples probably felt. Regardless of whether you want to agree with what Jesus said or not, it is what he said. Jesus is our foundation or cornerstone. If this was his teaching, then anything taught after this should line up with it. If it doesn’t? Either there is a mis-interpretation or a false teaching.
As Christians we tend to flip through the pages of the New Testament to verify what we are reading. But for the disciples Jesus is teaching, there is no such thing as a New Testament. They would listen intently to the teacher, listening for hints to other scriptures, and when they heard it, they would have a flashback and recall the part of the scroll it was in. Read through Jeremiah 4, you should see imagery and wording hinting at what Jesus said about the Light and Heaven and Earth. If you were a disciple back then, and you knew this passage, you would surely see the similarities.
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Either heaven and earth have passed away or the Torah/Law still stands. ** There are teachings on this platform about the Tabernacle. Understanding the Tabernacle and how it was used can help us understand how the Torah/Law can still stand AND the followers of Christ be under grace. It can help us get a clear picture of what Jesus came to do – he said he came to fulfill the law.
There were two things which stood between YHWH/God and his people. Only the High Priest could enter where God dwelled (Holy of Holies) and only on one day a year. He had to be ritually clean through the blood of an animal sacrifice. The only way to enter through the veil into the Holy of Holies where God dwelled, was as a High Priest and as a sacrifice.
Jesus fulfilled the laws of the High Priest and the Sacrificial mitzvot/commandments. In doing so, not one yod or tittle has passed away from the Torah/Law. However, the veil has been torn down. Because we now have a High Priest who has also made us ritually clean through his blood, we can enter where God dwells.
This is why the Temple is no longer needed. He is the High Priest which made the once and for all Sacrifice to atone for sin. Anyone willing to take the offered grace of Jesus’s sacrifice, is covered.
If you are reading the Old Testament and it says ‘the High Priest’, you can replace that with Jesus. If it says to bring an animal sacrifice or the blood of an animal, you can replace that with bring Jesus or the blood of Jesus. Sin is still defined as not following God’s laws. Those laws can still be found in the Old Testament. When those laws are broken, the penalty is death. Instead of bringing an animal sacrifice (old covenant), we bring the anointed one/Jesus the Christ and his blood covers the penalty (new covenant).
Ultimately, each of us has the same choice Adam and Eve had. We can chose to either live:
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Would love some comments attempting to answer any of the questions below.
If you subscribe to the second thought that heaven and earth have passed away because God now resides in the new Temples (believers):
If you subscribe to the third thought that heaven and earth have passed away because the temple was destroyed:
It is hard for us to envision persecution with being blessed/happy. We tend to see these as being on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Let’s break this one down.
What is righteousness? Earlier in Matthew 5, we were told those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are filled/satisfied. The Greek word implies justice and fairness. The Hebrew word is centered in being in right relationship both with YHWH/God and with others. By default, if we are not in right relationship with others, then we are not in right relationship with YHWH/God. It was a simple concept for the Jewish disciples listening to Jesus’s torah/teaching.
Being made free of sin, we became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6). Sin is the opposite of righteousness.
Now we can see a clearer picture of who these persecuted ones are. These are not people being persecuted for something they believe in. They are specifically, those who are persecuted for striving to be in right relationship with YHWH/God and others, seeking justice and fairness, they are blessed/happy because they are living where God reigns/the reign of the heavens. Sounds a lot like the peacemakers doesn’t it?
Jesus continues on about persecuted ones. He says, these persecuted ones, who are cursed, persecuted, lied about, and all kinds of evil things said against them, should shout for joy? Why?
Rewards in heaven? The Hebrew thought here in regards to rewards is similar to wages – your wages are great where God is/in heaven. The Greek thought is your rewards will be not necessarily more in number, but stronger, more intense.
These persecuted ones are just like the prophets who came before. They were willing to speak truth when the truth was unpopular. But they didn’t just speak THEIR truth, they were striving to be in right relationship with YHWH/God and bring others into right relationship with YHWH/God. Many of them were imprisoned or literally killed. Think of Daniel in the lions den. Think of Elijah fleeing and hiding. Think Moses leading the exodus from Egypt.
Persecuted for doing the right thing in YHWH/God’s eyes, not in man’s eyes. Think Jesus on the cross.
All blessed/happy because they knew YHWH/God was pleased with them because they were steadfast in walking where God reigns/in the reign of heaven.
Jewish flashback: 2 Chronicles 36:16
Someone who is merciful is compassionate, showing pity or mercy towards others, gracious, giving charity, giving generously (alms).
This particular verse can seem a bit odd because literally it would read, ‘The merciful obtain mercy.” It’s the same word in a different form.
I’m sure many would scoff at such a thought. Especially if you are someone who has shown compassion or mercy to someone else, only to get your nose bitten off. The real question is, why do you expect your mercy to come from man? Jesus will address this very thought later in Matthew, until then let’s see what is really meant here.
Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to YHWH/God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2
Anyone who accepts what Jesus has to offer and chooses to be his disciple/follower has received mercy. This is all the mercy you will ever need.
There’s no question about receiving mercy – it’s already been given, there for the taking. The first question is, have you accepted the mercy set before you? The second question is, are you showing mercy?
Happy/Blessed are the merciful for they know they have already obtain mercy.
Jewish flashbacks: Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 11:17
Hunger and Thirst are shown together in several scriptures, I’ve listed many at the bottom of this post. But there is also a writing outside our current Cannon of scripture which Jesus and the disciples, and even Paul would have considered important and most likely studied as part of their up bringing. This saying is from the book of Jasher. Jasher was referred to in Joshua and 2 Samuel.
And any man who had hunger and came to Abraham’s house, Abraham would give him bread that he might eat and drink and be satisfied, and any one that came naked to his house he would clothe with garments as he might choose, and give him silver and gold and make known to him the Lord who had created him in the earth; this did Abraham all his life.
Jasher 22
This is an interesting peek inside what happened in Abraham’s household. This would have certainly been something brought to mind in the Jewish disciples Jesus was giving this torah/teaching to. They my have thought to themselves, “Oh, I see, someone came to Abraham, they were filled, taken care of, and given what they needed.” Do you think your household resembles Abraham’s?
Hunger and thirsting are not pleasant feelings. Most of the world today has not actually experienced what true hunger and thirst feels like, even so, we know it isn’t something most would chose to happen to them. It isn’t a state typically sought after.
Righteousness – righteousness isn’t just being in right standing with YHWH/God, it is also being in right relationship with other’s as well. When one of YHWH/God’s people offended or transgressed someone, YHWH/God required not only a sacrifice to atone for the unrighteous act, but also a sacrifice to be given to the person who was transgressed against – in a double portion! If you stole a goat, you had to bring a goat to sacrifice as atonement, and two goats to give to the person you stole the goat from.
When we are not being active about this, we notice all is not well in YHWH/Gods world and we know YHWH/God is going to do something about it. This is not a place you want to be, so you will be actively seeking righteousness, keeping right relationship with both YHWH/God and others.
Righteous is about justice and fairness. When we seek to be righteous, we become the servants of righteousness (Romans 6). Job (29) put on righteousness and it clothed him as a robe and turbine. Later in Matthew, Jesus will say his disciples righteousness must exceed the religious leaders of that time.
The opposite of righteousness is sin.
Those hungry and thirsty and seeking after justice, fairness, and not sinning (being in right relationship with YHWH and others) are filled/satisfied. Are you filled and satisfied? Or do you find yourself asking for more and more? Unsatisfied with life? Maybe it’s time to figure out what being in right relationship with YHWH/God and other’s is as defined by YHWH/God – not man – and not you.
The Jewish flashbacks would include: Psalms 107:9; Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 55:1-2
Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament
Second Writings/New Testament
The meek, we have a vision of what meek means today, but it doesn’t necessarily paint the picture of what meek meant at the time Jesus was giving this torah/teaching.
This word carries with it the idea of someone who is gentle, humble, but it doesn’t mean someone who is timid, or someone others “walk all over”.
This same word is translated as righteous, the righteous inherit eternal life. The meek consider themselves as unimportant.
Jesus said he was meek. Matthew writes that the Messiah comes as meek.
The best way to overcome all our preconceived idea’s of meek would be to think of these people as those who rest in obedience to YHWH/God’s ways. It is someone who has a controlled spirit, a spirit controlled by YHWH/God’s Ruach/Breath (Holy Spirit).
Those who rest in obedience to YHWH/God’s ways are happy/blessed because they know they will inherit the earth.
If you know you are walking in YHWH/God’s ways, what is there to be concerned about? What is there to be upset about? It aligns with the saying, we read the end, we already know who wins. And those walking in YHWH/God’s ways will be greatest when YHWH/God finally reigns here on earth. So what of this world should be of greater concern than resting in YHWH/God’s ways?
The Jewish listeners would have had flashbacks to Flashback – Psalm 37:11; Psalm 2:8; Numbers 12:3; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:34; Isaiah 30:15, Jeremiah 6:16
Jesus has left the multitudes, went up to the mount, and sat down. His disciples have come to join him.
The Sermon on the Mount as it has come to be called has been portrayed as Jesus speaking to a large group of people. What hasn’t been portrayed is the fact they were his disciples. We don’t know how large the group was, but Matthew was specific in saying Jesus saw the multitudes and went up the mountain and sat down. And he was specific in saying his (Jesus’s) disciples came to him, and Jesus taught them, the disciples. This isn’t a mixed multitude of people, these are those who had chosen to follow Jesus. Luke in 6:10 makes this point even clearer when he says Jesus was looking at his disciples when he began to speak.
Jesus is showing us what discipling a disciple looks like. In Matthew 28, the verb form of disciple is used, we aren’t told to make a disciple because you can’t make a verb. We are told to disciple. Here, in Matthew 5, the noun form is used. A disciple is one who follows a teacher and wants to be their follower. To be a successful disciple, the goal is to be a replica of the teacher you have chosen to follow. Not wavering to the left or the right.
The broad expression “make disciples” can easily be misunderstood. Therefore, when we use or explain these words, we always need to make sure that we clearly distinguish our part in carrying out Jesus’ command from God’s part. Only God the Holy Spirit can turn people from unbelief to faith and constantly increase that faith. Only God the Holy Spirit can create a living faith that clings to and willingly does all that Christ commands. But we also have a part in this work because God has chosen to use us as his agents to proclaim the Word through which the Spirit does his work. Therefore, God does speak of human beings having a part in bringing people to faith (for example., Acts 26:17 where Paul is described as opening people’s eyes and turning people from darkness to light, from Satan to God). But whenever we cite such passages we need to speak carefully so that the part we have in this action, what we do, is never confused with the Spirit’s work, with what he does.
Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly – David Kuske
Most of these disciples at this time were Jewish. They had most likely been trained in the Torah since birth. They had been fully immersed in the Jewish way of life, the Jewish traditions, and many in the oral laws.
Went up to the mount and sat down ... This is a verbatim quote from Exodus 19:3. Matthew is pointing back to Moses and connecting Jesus as the new Moses. He’s connecting the Law of the Torah with the Law of the New Covenant. Remember, at this time, the general public didn’t have the scrolls to carry home and read. They had to memorize everything. When a Jewish teacher makes a direct quote, he is telling his students to gather as much as you can from where the quote took place. Not just a few lines above and a few lines below, but as many lines above and below as you can recall. He’s telling them, in recalling those, pay close attention to what I’m about to say and make as many connections as you can.
Matthew wants you to think back to Moses and when he received the Law.
What we see translated as ‘teaching; them is actually the word torah, ‘gave them this torah’. Torah can refer to either the first five books of our Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Numbers), or it can mean a teaching or instruction. In this instance, it means giving them a teaching or instruction.
Happy or Blessed – what does this actually mean? The word used here DOES NOT carry with it a FUTURE event. It doesn’t mean, if you do this or are this, then you will be blessed or happy. It was a state of being in the moment. It isn’t a reward to be given at a later time because of your current actions. It is connected to your experience during the action. It doesn’t say, blessed/happy will be, it says blessed/happy ARE. Right now, in the moment, they are blessed/happy.
One hundred and fifty years before Jesus, a Jewish Teacher, Ben-Sirah Jesus wrote a blessed is statement. It fully immersed it’s self in the value of the world with status, admiration, etc. It was a culture where status was important. This is the reality of the world Jesus Christ is now teaching in. When they heard Jesus say, “blessed” they thought they knew what he was going to say, but he said almost the opposite. Can you imagine what it was like? You’d here him say Blessed is … and you’d be like yea, I know all about .. wait .! What! That isn’t what I’ve heard, that’s not what my teacher said, that’s now what the Rabbi is teaching.
Get ready, because as we move down through the things Jesus is about to say and what they really mean, you will have the exact same feeling at some point.
Welcome to the journey of the disciples, who were sitting on the mount, listening to Jesus teach.
Video teaching: https://youtu.be/fmzqB6lBVJM
Following a topic through the entire bible provides for some pondering. Today let’s look at the words typically translated as sign or mark.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13)
You shall bind them (statutes, judgments, and commands of YHWH/God) as a sign (mark, signal, proof, evidence) on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. (Exodus 13:9, Exodus 13:16, Deuteronomy 6:8 and Deuteronomy 11:18)
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. … The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’” (Exodus 31)
“Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 9:6)
“Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed (marked) the servants of our God on their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3)
They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, but only those men who do not have the seal (mark) of God on their foreheads (Revelation 9:4).
All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands (the testimony) and decrees he gave you. They (curses) will be a sign (mark) and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. (Deuteronomy 28:45-46)
“You shall have no other gods before me. … You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments (the testimony).: (Exodus 20)
It (the second beast) exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast … It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, (Revelation 13:16-17)
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. (Revelation 14:9-10)
I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)
Jesus said:
“If you love me, keep my commands(the testimony). And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:15-21)
Which Mits-vah (directive or guidance) is the main object or root in Torah (teachings)?
That was the question a scribe, or lawyer, asked Jesus as recorded in Mark and Matthew. (Click link for all scriptures used in this article).
First thing we have to get over before looking at His answer is the word ‘command’. At that time, when they heard the word mits-vah it did not carry the same as it does when we hear the word command. To them, this would have been more like the white lines on a road than the speed limit sign. If you cross the white lines to avoid something, you most likely will not get a ticket. You may, however, encounter plenty of natural consequences. But if you cross the line because of careless driving or you cross the speed on the speed limit sign (driving lawlessly) in front of law enforcement officer, you will receive a ticket. Whoa! Side thought: Every stop to wonder why we are so much more comfortable with and in general easily following laws “of our land” set a long time ago and yet are uncomfortable and struggle against keeping those set by YHWH/God? Something to ponder.
Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and “If you love me you will keep my mitsvah.” Because he is the WAY, and the TRUTH, and the LIFE, you would understand it is in your best interest to follow his directives, guidance, and recommended way of living. Jesus is not like our navigation systems which allow you to choose the route and ‘recalculates’ a new one for you when you decided to deviate from the best route initially set before you.
It is good to follow the mitzvot/commandments and it is bad not too. Just as it was good not to eat the forbidden fruit and it was bad to eat it. We have the same choice. We can either choose to follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life as provided by YHWH/God or not. If YHWH/God is the King who reigns over the Kingdom you live in, you would WANT to follow his rules. Otherwise, you will essentially be living somewhere else. You have full free will to choose what kingdom you want to live in, Heaven or Hell, but you do not have the right to determine what is good and bad in the Kingdom of Heaven, where God Reigns.
The second thing we have to get over is the word ‘law’. The Hebrew word is Torah which specifically refers to the five books of Moses. We know these as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. Almost all the time, even in the New Testament, when we see the translated word Law, it is the word Torah and does not refer to anything written in the New Testament.
The scribe/lawyer is not asking Jesus, of everything that you have taught what is the greatest. He is specifically asking out of everything in these five books, what is the g’dolah or root.
The third thing we have to get over is the idea that Jesus is giving two new commandments and all the rest are done away with. He is very specific in stating, “All the Torah and the prophets hang on these two mitzvot.” The word hang means based on, thus he has answer the question about what is the root. These two are the root and all the others found in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers grow up out of those.
This is in many ways a picture of the Tree of Life. You can choose the Tree of Life or the Tree of Knowledge of Tov/Good and Ra/Bad. You can decide the best way to go about living or you can let YHWH/God give you guidance. And His ways do not have to make sense to you, you just have to follow what he says.
When Jesus says, “You must love your Elohim with all your heart and with all your nephesh and out of all your understanding,” He is purposefully bringing to mind several passages for the Jewish people standing around.
Let me give you an example of what Jesus was doing with what he said. Most Christians are familiar with the saying of the mark of the beast – it’s every where right now. And everyone knows it will be a mark/sign on the hand and/or on the forehead. So if I said to you, “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads,” I can almost guarantee the largest percentage of the Christians who hear it will call to mind the statement about the mark of the beast from Revelation. HOWEVER, if this same thing was said to a Jewish believer, they would be brought right to Deuteronomy 6 and THIS is what would be called to mind:
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a]5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6 NIV emphasis added
Which would in turn bring them right back to the Exodus and the Passover:
14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’ 16 And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”
Exodus 13 NIV emphasis added
Wouldn’t these passages be so much better to recall than the mark of the beast passage? Later, check out Revelation 7:3 – very interesting.?
Jesus is directly quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5. This particular passage is part of the Shema, which every good Jew would have recited daily as his declaration of faith. This would have also brought to mind the entire Exodus and all it entailed.
It would have brought to mind Deuteronomy 10:12 and the entire scene of them receiving the tables of stones – which YHWH/God called ‘The Testimony’ or the ‘The Witness’ which we now call the ‘Ten Commandments.’
He would have brought to mind Deuteronomy 30:6 when he told them he had set all these mitzvah before them, blessings and curses – you choose.
He would have brought to mind Joshua 22:5 when they first entered the promise land. It might even bring to mind Joshua 24:15 which MANY Christians have hanging on the wall of their houses – it was the time when Joshua reminds them of what YHWH had done for them and why they should keep the mitzvot (commandments) and he lead them by making declaration of his choice for his household. Following this, he made a covenant. I can’t help wonder, does it mean the same thing to us as it did to Joshua as we hang it on our walls? Are we really ready to make the declaration he made in v24-26? Or do we take it out of context because it’s a catchy phrase? Hmm, something more to ponder.
And it would have brought to mind Josiah from 2 Kings 22-23 – Josiah is arguably the greatest earthly King there ever was. Some say David was, but Josiah did not make the mistakes David did. What Josiah did in his time may be a good thing to do in our time. He was a beloved King, by both man and YHWH.
Moses received the law in around 1313 BC. Over 855 years later, after many very evil and wicked Kings, along comes Josiah, he brings back the Torah and the Feasts. And this is what YHWH/God/Adonai said:
18‘Thus says Adonai, God of Israel. As for the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was softened and you humbled yourself before Adonai when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants—that they should become a desolation and a curse—and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,’ declares Adonai. 20 ‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you will be gathered to your grave in shalom. So your eyes will not see all the disaster I am bringing on this place.’”
2 Kings 22 TLV
3Then the king stood by the pillar and cut a covenant before Adonai, to follow Adonai, keep His mitzvot, His laws and His decrees with all their heart and soul, in order to fulfill the words of this covenant that were written in this scroll. So all the people stood for the covenant.
2 Kings 23 TLV – scenes similar to the one at Mt. Sinai and the night YHWH took them out of Egypt.
21 Then the king commanded all the people saying, “Celebrate the Passover to Adonai your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” 22 For no Passover like this had been celebrated from the days of the judges who judged Israel or in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was observed for Adonai in Jerusalem.
25 Before him there had never been a king like him, who turned to Adonai with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Torah of Moses, nor has any king like him risen since him.
2 Kings 23 TLV
Which Mits-vah (directive or guidance) is the main object or root in Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers)?
Yeshua answered,
Then the scribe/lawyer replied:
“Rabbi, it is a great truth, that there is none besides one Eloah, and there is none other except him – 33 he whom a man is obligated to love with all the heart and with all the nephesh, and with all the strength – also to love his fellow as himself – and this is greater than all the human offerings.” (burnt offerings and sacrifices)
Mark 12 Hebrew Gospels
And when Jesus heard that, he answered
with wisdom, he told him that he was not far from the kingdom of YHWH / Kingdom of God / Kingdom of Heaven / Where God Reigns
Interesting when these pieces of the puzzle are read together instead of apart from one another. They can not contradict each other. It gives a bit of context for Galationas 3 because it is a theme carried throughout the Scriptures. God tells us how we all how a person who follows him lives.
Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Deuteronomy 32:47; Nehemiah 9:29; Job 33:17-18; Ezekiel 20:10-12; Galatians 3:11-13; Romans 10:4-6; 1 John 3:23-24
5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.
These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
“You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’ Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen.
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
and keep them from pride,
18 to preserve them from the pit,
their lives from perishing by the sword
10 Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. 11 I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live. 12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[a] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[b] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[c] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down)
23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
In Matthew 5, when Jesus says things like:
“not come to abolish the law and the Prophets,” “will [not] by any means disappear from the law,” “anyone who sets aside one of [the law] and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,” “whoever practices and teaches … great in the kingdom of heaven.”
What is he referring to? What is “the law,” or the “the commands” to him? Nothing in the New Testament had been written yet, so we can’t find the answer there.
And when modern day Christianity says, “We are no longer under the law because we are under grace,” how does that fit with what Jesus said?
One of the main reasons given for this is, “we can no longer keep the law.” How does that fit with what Jesus said about who is least and greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Before we take a deeper dive in to Matthew 5, we are looking at a few things:
Once we establish the answer to those questions, we’ll begin a deeper dive into Matthew 5 because it is one of the longest teachings of Jesus we have on record. And if we profess to follow him, shouldn’t we hang on every word he spoke?
Come along and join us stating with
YouTub: Grace vs Law Playlist
Rumble: First video in the series
There are so many debates about what is in or not in the Bible as well as the interpretation of different scriptures. Let’s take a Cease Fire moment to deepen understanding, and seek knowledge. Thank you for joining us in this Cease Fire moment.
In today’s culture, many Christians have settled for allowing others to teach them what is or isn’t in the bible. There’s very little time to sit down and discover for oneself. Many just do not know how or where to start. We have a video on this channel where we showed the word for disciple in the great Commission is a verb not a noun. This means we were not called to make anything, we were called to do something. That something is to disciple. If we do not know for our selves what is in Scripture, how can we disciple properly?
Talk a step by step walk with us through Matthew 5-7. You may be surprised at just how little you know about these chapters which have been quoted over and over. Set aside your preconceived notions and be open to learning something new.
Get out your your computer, or your phone or your Bibles, note pad, and pens and let’s get started.
The Video below links to a Playlist, be sure to check out all the videos in this series.
Playlist:
CalltoCeaseFire 