outreachisrael

As a lifelong student of general world history and Biblical history for over thirty-five years, I have discovered that reviewing both histories at times is beneficial for understanding the here and now, with the possibility of discerning what the future can become. After all, it was the persistent questions in my mind to want to know why I even existed, where I came from, and who my forefathers were—that ultimately led me to the gospel understanding which totally transformed my life! Asking those questions, seeking somewhat unknowable answers, and knocking on seemingly impenetrable doors, finally resulted in the door to my soul being opened (Matthew 7:7-8). The spiritual revelation that I was forgiven of my iniquities by absolute belief in the atonement provided by the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son, Yeshua the Messiah (John 3:16), finally took root, and my life has never been the same since. But unlike some of my Christian peers, who early in my walk insisted that my enthusiasm and zeal for knowing the Messiah would fade over time, it never has, and I pray, it never will!

In His infinite wisdom, our Heavenly Father has chosen, through the recorded teachings of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, to communicate deep spiritual truths through a variety of parabolic examples, taken from His created order. To answer His Disciples’ inquiry about why He spoke in parables, Yeshua’s simple answer was to inform them about mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven in agrarian terms they could comprehend and certainly remember, as He noted Isaiah’s prophecy that compared two types of people. This involved those who would see and hear, compared to those who would be unable to grasp spiritual truths.

For the Messianic community of faith, the Spring holiday season (April 2012) is especially meaningful, and for some, perhaps life-altering. This is a time when many of our Christian brothers and sisters get significantly exposed to the Messianic movement, largely by being invited to different Passover seders and presentations hosted by some congregations and ministries. Likewise, because of the importance that the Passover holiday has for all people of faith—in association with the redemptive work of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ)—this is a special time for all of us to evaluate where we stand before the Lord, and consider how we have grown and matured in Him from the previous Passover.

The Sermon on the Mount within Matthew chs. 5-7 is perhaps the most memorable of Yeshua’s teachings to His Disciples, not only because it is recorded early in the Gospel of Matthew, but because it challenges all today who examine it to embrace a deeper walk with Him as the Master Teacher. After first delineating the individual responsibilities found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), and then turning to the duties of His followers to be salt and light by their good works in obedience to the Torah or Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17-19), the Messiah then delivers some important words that are intended to substantiate what He means by coming to fulfill the Torah.