The Torah or the Old Testament is the sacred writings of God spoken to the Jewish people. The Jews believe in 613 commands called “mitzot”. These commands must be kept in order to get into heaven. By and large most Jewish people follow these mitzot. This belief boils down to doing enough good deeds to sway the balance. Heaven or Hell. The rich young ruler asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He thought if he did the right thing or did “enough” he could be saved. Jesus asked if he kept all the commands, and the young man said he did. Jesus asked him to sell everything he owned, give it to the poor and follow him. Jesus cut him to the heart and the rich man turned away, holding on to the riches of this world. Jesus also rebuked the Pharisees by saying,
“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard Him or seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom he has sent, you do not believe. You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they that testify of Me.”
John 5:37-39 NKJ
He was illuminating the fact that the Jews were blinded by the letter of the law. They did not have what Abraham had in him, the word. What word? The gospel- “You shall have a son... The Seed of Abraham”. God in human form was standing right in front of them. All they had to do was believe. Philip asked Jesus, “Show us the Father!” Jesus replied, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father”. Jesus was the living Torah, given to God’s people. The Jews you encounter today hold similar feelings in the divine importance of the written word.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
A New Covenant
The traditional Jews of today are living somewhat in the Old Covenant. How they “atone” for sins is strictly a humanist view. They believe through prayer, morals and observance of tradition they can enter heaven. There is no more sacrifice of animals. Both the Old and New Testament say the same thing - the need for blood to be a sacrifice for sin. A few hundred years of man’s tradition can erode the truth of God’s word. Obviously in scripture God is going to make a new covenant with the Jews, so why are they stuck in the old testament? They didn’t understand the day of visitation. Jesus rebuked the multitude for discerning the time in which they lived. The Jews in the wilderness were the same way. God told them before it happened that He would send manna from heaven to nourish them on the journey. How could they miss it? What was the first thing out of their mouth when they saw the bread in the morning dew? They said, “Man-na? What is this?” The same thing happened with Jesus. The Messiah’s coming was foretold for centuries! What was the first thing out of their mouth? “Who is this? Isn’t this Joseph’s son, the carpenter?” They kept asking for a sign out of heaven. Jesus had to tell them like little school children...
“ I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the Bread from heaven, but it is my father who gives you the true heavenly bread. For the bread of life is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world... I Am the Bread of Life.”
( John 6:32-35)
We are to be bread from heaven to the world and to the Jews. Their eyes are blind from the reading of Moses, but opened at the revelation of Jesus the Messiah.
The traditional Jews of today are living somewhat in the Old Covenant. How they “atone” for sins is strictly a humanist view. They believe through prayer, morals and observance of tradition they can enter heaven. There is no more sacrifice of animals. Both the Old and New Testament say the same thing - the need for blood to be a sacrifice for sin. A few hundred years of man’s tradition can erode the truth of God’s word. Obviously in scripture God is going to make a new covenant with the Jews, so why are they stuck in the old testament? They didn’t understand the day of visitation. Jesus rebuked the multitude for discerning the time in which they lived. The Jews in the wilderness were the same way. God told them before it happened that He would send manna from heaven to nourish them on the journey. How could they miss it? What was the first thing out of their mouth when they saw the bread in the morning dew? They said, “Man-na? What is this?” The same thing happened with Jesus. The Messiah’s coming was foretold for centuries! What was the first thing out of their mouth? “Who is this? Isn’t this Joseph’s son, the carpenter?” They kept asking for a sign out of heaven. Jesus had to tell them like little school children...
“ I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the Bread from heaven, but it is my father who gives you the true heavenly bread. For the bread of life is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world... I Am the Bread of Life.”
( John 6:32-35)
We are to be bread from heaven to the world and to the Jews. Their eyes are blind from the reading of Moses, but opened at the revelation of Jesus the Messiah.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Babylon's music begins to play
Daniel Chapter 3
If you are even somewhat aware, then you can sense a major change in the spiritual climate of our nation. The Babylon of Daniel's time was tolerant of every religion and custom. When the King forced everyone to bow to the image, then the real test began. When the music was played, the three Jews must have stood out when a sea of 300,000 knelt down.
My question to the American Church:
Do we hear the music begining to be played?
Will we stand or will we bow when-
the strong men come for us?
the furnace is heated up?
they bind our arms?
they throw us in the fire?
I believe there are those who will not bow, no matter how few, and stand and say, "But even if He does not rescue us, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up".
If you are even somewhat aware, then you can sense a major change in the spiritual climate of our nation. The Babylon of Daniel's time was tolerant of every religion and custom. When the King forced everyone to bow to the image, then the real test began. When the music was played, the three Jews must have stood out when a sea of 300,000 knelt down.
My question to the American Church:
Do we hear the music begining to be played?
Will we stand or will we bow when-
the strong men come for us?
the furnace is heated up?
they bind our arms?
they throw us in the fire?
I believe there are those who will not bow, no matter how few, and stand and say, "But even if He does not rescue us, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up".
What I learn about God from my own son
1. Trust
2. Help with things I don't know how to do
3. He wants me to succeed
4. There is a time to tear down and build up
5. Most of the time I can still understand what He wants without verbal communication
6. He dresses me and takes me places I don't necessarily want to go
7. He trains my hands for battle
8. He knows the best path for me to take, but won't force His will on me
9. Safety in time of disturbance
10. Daddy can fix anything!
1. Trust
2. Help with things I don't know how to do
3. He wants me to succeed
4. There is a time to tear down and build up
5. Most of the time I can still understand what He wants without verbal communication
6. He dresses me and takes me places I don't necessarily want to go
7. He trains my hands for battle
8. He knows the best path for me to take, but won't force His will on me
9. Safety in time of disturbance
10. Daddy can fix anything!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Why Bless the Jews?
The Jews are the people of Israel. They were made the Jewish nation. God’s glory belongs to them. So do the covenants. They received the Law. They were taught to worship in the temple. They were given the promises. The founders of our nation belong to them. (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). Christ comes from their linage.
In the book, ”Promised Land”, Derek Prince devotes an entire chapter on how we as Christians should respond to the Jews. We are to praise, proclaim, comfort and pray. How is this done?
Genesis 12 is where we see the promise of blessing upon the people of God. God speaks to Abram and tells him from his loins will come a great nation (the Jews) and great prosperity and the ability to do well to others. This is stated throughout the Bible.
“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you and all the nations shall be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:3
Deuteronomy 14:2
“You only have I chosen among the families of the earth.”
Amos 3:2
“... But from the stand point of election, God’s choice, they are beloved
for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
Romans 11:28-29
In the book, ”Promised Land”, Derek Prince devotes an entire chapter on how we as Christians should respond to the Jews. We are to praise, proclaim, comfort and pray. How is this done?
Genesis 12 is where we see the promise of blessing upon the people of God. God speaks to Abram and tells him from his loins will come a great nation (the Jews) and great prosperity and the ability to do well to others. This is stated throughout the Bible.
“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you and all the nations shall be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:3
Deuteronomy 14:2
“You only have I chosen among the families of the earth.”
Amos 3:2
“... But from the stand point of election, God’s choice, they are beloved
for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
Romans 11:28-29
Messiah's Heart for His people
Messiah’s Heart
“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you would not let me...”
“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you would not let me...”
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