Author: Donald N. Norris

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 139

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 139

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time. Yes, we are still on Tuesday.

The Greatest Commandment

I’m sure most of you are familiar with this passage, so I’m not going to spend time dissecting it.

33 When the crowds heard how He taught, they were astounded; 34 but when the P’rushim learned that He had silenced the Tz’dukim, they got together, 35 and one of them, who was a Torah expert asked a sh’eilah (authoritative question) to trap Him: 36 “Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?” 37 He told him, “‘You are to love Adonai, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.” [1]

Mitzvot (singular mitzvah). A mitzvah is a commandment; traditionally, there are 613 mitzvot for the Jewish people to obey in the Torah.

Yeshua Asks the P’rushim About Ancestry

41 Then, turning to the assembled P’rushim, Yeshua put a sh’eilah to them: 42 “Tell me your view concerning the Messiah: whose son is He?” They said to Him, “David’s.” 43 “Then how is it,” He asked them, “that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord,’ when he says,

44′ Adonai said to my Lord,
“Sit here at my right hand
until I put your enemies under your feet” ‘? (Psalm 110:1)

Your enemies under your feet. In the ancient Near East, warriors would stand on the necks of their defeated enemies as a sign of victory.

45 If David thus calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?” The great crowd listened eagerly to him. [2] 46 No one could think of anything to say in reply, and from that day on, no one dared put to Him another sh’eilah. [3]

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] Mattityahu 22:33–40.
[2] Mark 12:37b.
[3] Mattityahu 22:41–46.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 138

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Tuesday (continued)

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time. Yes, we are still on Tuesday.

P’rushim Try to Trap Yeshua on the Issue of Taxes to Rome

15 Then the P’rushim went away and put together a plan to trap Yeshua with His own words. 16 They sent Him some of their talmidim and some members of Herod’s party. They said, “Rabbi, we know that you tell the truth and really teach what God’s way is. You aren’t concerned with what other people think about you since you pay no attention to a person’s status.

The P’rushim wanted the Jewish theocracy restored and opposed oppressor Rome and its taxes. Herod’s party – political, not religious – supported the Herodian dynasty set up by Rome and encouraged abiding by the Roman tax laws; they were not usually friendly with the P’rushim. The trap consisted in putting together an alliance of convenience in which both would ask Yeshua’s opinion, hoping His response would alienate Him from one group or the other.

17 So tell us your opinion: does Torah permit paying taxes to the Roman Emperor or not?” 18 Yeshua, however, knowing their malicious intent, said, “You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used to pay the tax!” They brought Him a denarius; 20 and He asked them, “Whose name and picture are these?” 21 “The Emperor’s,” they replied. Yeshua said to them, “Nu, give the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor. And give to God what belongs to God!” 22 On hearing this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Nu is an all-purpose Yiddish word often used with this meaning “Can’t you figure it out for yourself?!”- thus precisely conveying the tone of Yeshua’s answer.

Tz’dukim Try to Trap Yeshua on the Issue of the Resurrection

23 That same day, some Tz’dukim came to Him. They are the ones who say there is no such thing as resurrection, so they put to Him a sh’eilah (authoritative question): 24 “Rabbi, Moshe said, ‘If a man dies childless, his brother must marry his widow and have children to preserve the man’s family line.’  [1] 25 There were seven brothers. The first one married and then died, and since he had no children, he left his widow to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second brother, and the third, and finally to all seven. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 Now in the Resurrection – of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all married her.”

29 Yeshua answered them, “The reason you go astray is that you are ignorant both of the Tanakh and of the power of God. 30 For in the Resurrection, neither men nor women will marry; rather, they will be like angels in heaven. 31 And as for whether the dead are resurrected, haven’t you read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz’chak and the God of Ya’akov’? He is God not of the dead but of the living!” [2]

Yeshua derives the doctrine of the resurrection from the Torah because the Tz’dukim accepted only the Torah as absolutely authoritative. This is why He cites Exodus 3:6 rather than the more obvious Scriptural refutations in Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2. and Job 19:26.

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF vesion.

[1] Deuteronomy 25:5-6.
[2] Mattityahu 22:15–32.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 137

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Tuesday (continued)

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time. As we will see in this and several more posts, Tuesday is hectic.

Religious Leaders Angered

45 As the head cohanim and the P’rushim listened to His stories, they saw that He was speaking about them. 46 But when they set about to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds; because the crowds considered Him a prophet. ~Mattityahu 21:45-46.

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

1 Yeshua again used parables in speaking to them: 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son,

Festivities for such an event would have lasted several days. In this parable, Yeshua alludes to the great end-times feast (compare 8:11), when God’s people will enjoy fellowship with the Messiah in His fully inaugurated Kingdom (compare Revelation 19:6–10).

3 but when he sent his slaves to summon the invited guests to the wedding, they refused to come.

Refusing such an invitation from the king was a shocking insult. These invited guests represent those who respond to the message of the Kingdom of Heaven with indifference (v5) and hostility (v. 6).

4 So he sent some more slaves, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, I’ve prepared my banquet, I’ve slaughtered my bulls and my fattened cattle, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’ 5 But they weren’t interested and went off, one to his farm, another to his business; 6 and the rest grabbed his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was furious and sent his soldiers, who killed those murderers and burned down their city.

Verse 7 foreshadows the Romans’ destruction of Yerushalayim in 70 CE.

8 “Then he said to his slaves, ‘Well, the wedding feast is ready; but the ones who were invited didn’t deserve it. 9 So go out to the street corners and invite to the banquet as many as you find.’ 10 The slaves went out into the streets, gathered all the people they could find, the bad along with the good; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “Now when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who wasn’t dressed for a wedding; so he asked him,

This man accepted the king’s invitation but, on his terms, – which the king found improper. Kings sometimes give banquets for their subjects and invite them all, regardless of status, providing suitable clothing for those unable to afford it. Therefore the one not wearing what the king had provided was without excuse.

12 ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark!’ In that place, people will wail and grind their teeth, 14 for many are invited, but few are chosen.” [1]

Verse 14 summarizes the theme of the preceding parables (21:28–22:14). God invites many people into His Kingdom, as seen in this parable Yeshua has just told. However, as the man thrown out of the wedding feast illustrates (vv. 11–13), not all who consider themselves part of God’s Kingdom are genuine members (compare 7:13–14, 21–23). Those who hear and respond favorably to God’s invitation can join Him in celebration (compare 25:31–46).

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] Mattityahu 22:1–14.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 136

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Tuesday (continued)

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time.

The Parable of Two Sons

28 “But give me your opinion: a man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I don’t want to’; but later, he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, ‘I will, sir,’; but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they replied. “That’s right!” Yeshua said to them. “I tell you that the tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you! 32 For Yochanan came to you showing the path to righteousness, and you wouldn’t trust him. The tax collectors and prostitutes trusted him, but you, even after you saw this, didn’t change your minds later and trust him. [1]

The first son symbolizes repentant sinners (i.e., the tax collectors and prostitutes (v. 32). The second son represents the religious leaders, who ultimately reject Yeshua (vv. 45–46).

The Parable of Murderous Tenants

1 Yeshua continued to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower; then he rented it to tenant farmers and left. 2 When harvest time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the crop from the vineyard. 3 But they took him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 So he sent another servant; this one they punched in the head and insulted. 5 He sent another one, and him they killed; and so, with many others – some they beat up, others they killed. 6 He had still one person left, a son whom he loved; in the end, he sent him to them, saying, ‘My son they will respect.’ 7 But the tenants said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ 8 So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others! [2] When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” [3]

A man planted a vineyard recalls the imagery of Isaiah 5:1–2 (compare Isaiah 5:7). Yeshua modifies this image by focusing on the role of the tenant farmers rather than the vineyard itself (compare Isaiah 5:12, Matt. 21:33-46, Luke 9-19). They killed… In the Tanakh, God condemns the people of Isra’el for rejecting His prophets.

The Rejected Stone

42 Yeshua said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Tanakh,

‘The very rock which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone!
This has come from Adonai,
and in our eyes, it is amazing’?

43 Therefore, I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to the kind of people that will produce its fruit!” 44 Whoever falls on this stone will be broken in pieces, but if it falls on him, he will be crushed to powder!” [4]

The rock is a quotation from Psalm 118:22–23; the rejected rock is Yeshua, who comes from God.

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1]  Mattityahu 21:28–32.
[2]  Mark 12:1–9.
[3]  Luke 20:16b.
[4]  Mattityahu 21:42-44 (Some manuscripts omit verse 44.)

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 135

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter Words1 Comment

Passion Week ~ Tuesday

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time.

Introduction

Tuesday is a long day of great confrontation with the religious leaders assembled in Yerushalayim. By way of parables, Yeshua points out that the leaders’ predecessors have always rejected God’s messengers and that now they are rejecting even the Son of God. The P’rushim are angry and attempt to trap Yeshua into making statements by which they can arrest Him. The Tz’dukim (Saducees) join with the P’rushim as they adamantly reject any resurrection of the dead. Yeshua once again responds with superior spiritual insight.   [1]  

Lesson from the Fig Tree

20 In the morning, as the talmidim passed by, they saw the fig tree withered all the way to its roots. 21 Kefa remembered and said to Yeshua, “Rabbi! Look! The fig tree that you cursed has dried up!” [2]  20 The talmidim saw this and were amazed. “How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?” they asked. 21 Yeshua answered them, “Yes! I tell you, if you have trust and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to this fig tree but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Go and throw yourself into the sea!’ it will be done. 22 In other words, you will receive everything you ask for in prayer, no matter what it is, provided you have trust.”  [3] 25 And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him; so that your Father in Heaven may also forgive your offenses.” [4]

Yeshua’s Authority Questioned

27 They went back into Yerushalayim; and as He was walking in the Temple courts, there came to Him the Head Cohanim, the Torah-teachers, and the elders; 28 and they said to Him, “What s’mikhah (ordination) do you have that authorizes you to do these things? Who gave you this s’mikhah authorizing you to do them?” 29 Yeshua said to them, “I will ask you just one question: answer me, and I will tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things. 30 The immersion of Yochanan—was it from Heaven or from a human source? Answer me.” 31 They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From a human source, … ‘ – they were afraid of the people, for they all regarded Yochanan as a genuine prophet. 33 So they answered Yeshua, “We don’t know.” “Then,” He replied, “I won’t tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things.” [5]

Hebrew s’mikhah, rendering Greek exousia (“authority”), means “leaning” or “laying” on of hands in the ordination ceremony for a judge, elder or rabbi. Laying on of hands is, in the Tanakh, a symbolic act that confers or transfers an office and its duties and privileges by dramatizing God’s bestowal of the blessings and giftings needed for the work. The practice in Judaism is traced back to Moshe’s ordination of Y’hoshua and the seventy elders.

The cohanim and elders, who are also P’rushim (v. 45, 3:7N), are asking: “What kind of ordination did you receive that entitles you to teach as authoritatively as you do to decide points of halakhah  [6]  as you do and to disturb the peace in the Temple courts? And who dared give you such an ordination?” Yeshua does not answer their question but instead puts them on the defensive.

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] F. LaGard Smith, The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order
[2] Mark 11:20–21.
[3] Mattityahu 21:20–22.
[4] Mark 11:25.
[5] Mark 11:27–33.
[6] Refers to non-Biblical Jewish Law.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 134

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Monday (continued)

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time.

The Purpose of Yeshua’s Death

20 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greek-speaking Jews. 21 They approached Philip, the one from Beit-Tzaidah in the Galil, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Yeshua.”

Greek-speaking Jews who had come to Yerushalayim in obedience to the Torah. Since the text simply says “Greeks,” many think they were Gentiles. Sha’ul often uses “Greeks” to mean “Gentiles” (Romans 1:16, 10:12; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11), but here the context implies Greek-speaking Jews. These approached Philip, whose name was Greek and who was probably himself a Greek speaker. We would like to see Yeshua. Yeshua’s answer (below) suggests that their purpose was to offer Him new opportunities for ministry in their part of the world. Yeshua says that the time for expanding His activities in the world is over, but His effect on the earth will be all the more remarkable.

22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Yeshua. 23 Yeshua gave them this answer: “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain, but if it dies, it produces a big harvest. 25 He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life! 26 If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.”

As it applies to others, this message is found in Mattityahu 16:25, Mark 8:35, and Luke 9:23–24; here, Yeshua applies it to Himself since He pioneers and finishes our trust (Messianic Jews 12:1).

Foretelling His Crucifixion

27 “Now I am in turmoil. What can I say – ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I will say this: 28 ‘Father, glorify your name!'” At this, a bat-kol (voice) came out of heaven, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!” 29 The crowd standing there and hearing it said that it had thundered; others said, “An angel spoke to Him.” 30 Yeshua answered, “This bat-kol did not come for My sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged; now, the ruler of this world (HaSatan)will be expelled. 32 As for Me, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die.

Yeshua Calls the Crowd to Walk in the Light

34 The crowd answered, “We have learned from the Torah that the Messiah remains forever. How is it that you say the Son of Man has to be ‘lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Yeshua said to them, “The light will be with you only a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you; he who walks in the dark doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, put your trust in the light so that you may become people of light.” Yeshua said these things, then went off and kept himself hidden from them. [1]

Yeshua Returns to Beit-Anyah

19 When evening came, they left the city. [2]

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] Yochanan 12:20–36.
[2] Mark 11:19.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 133

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Kefa (Peter), Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Monday

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time.

Introduction [1]

On Monday, Yeshua’s popularity is still at a high peak, and the children sing His praises as if to thank Him for His continual remembrance of them. But, in contrast, Mattityahu, Mark, and Luke each record an incident almost identical to one recorded by Yochanan at the beginning of Yeshua’s ministry (Yochanan 2:13-21). Yeshua may be purifying the Temple one last time if these are two separate incidents.

Yeshua begins to speak freely of His pending crucifixion and makes a special effort to explain its purpose. Some multitudes still disbelieve in Him, but as Yochanan observes, even their disbelief is the fulfillment of prophecy.

The Unfruitful Fig Tree

12 The next day, as they came back from Beit-Anyah, he felt hungry. 13 Spotting in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He could find anything on it. When He came up to it, He found nothing but leaves; for it wasn’t fig season. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His talmidim heard what He said. 

If Yeshua’s cursing and drying up the fig tree had been a petulant reaction to disappointment because He couldn’t satisfy His hunger, it would be unworthy of anyone, let alone the Messiah. But Yeshua is making a point utilizing prophetic drama, an acted-out parable (possibly Luke 13:6–9). Even out of season, a fig tree in leaf – it must have been in leaf to be seen in the distance (v. 12) – holds forth the promise of fruit. The typical early season for figs in Isra’el is June, but the early unripe fruit (Song of Songs 2:13) begins to show itself even before the spring leaves appear on the branches, often before Pesach.

Yeshua Cleanses the Temple

15 On reaching Yerushalayim, He entered the Temple courts and began driving out those who were carrying on business there, both the merchants and their customers. He also knocked over the desks of the money changers, upset the benches of the pigeon dealers,16 and refused to let anyone carry merchandise through the Temple courts. 17 Then, as He taught them, He said, “Isn’t it written in the Tanakh, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all the Goyim.” But you have made it into a den of robbers!”  [2]

The Plot to Kill Yeshua Delayed

18 The head cohanim and the Torah-teachers heard what He said and tried to find a way to do away with Him; they were afraid of Him because the crowds were utterly taken by His teaching. [3] But they couldn’t find any way of doing it because all the people were hanging onto his every word. [4]

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order by F. LaGard Smith
[2] Mark 11:12–17.
[3] Mark 11:18.
[4] Luke 19:48.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 132

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Sunday (continued)

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time.

Yeshua Enters Yerushalayim

33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34, and they said, “Because the Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Yeshua, and, throwing their robes on the colt, they put Yeshua on it. 36 As he went along, people carpeted the road with their clothing; 37 and as he came near Yerushalayim, where the road descends from the Mount of Olives, the entire band of talmidim began to sing and praise God at the top of their voices for all the powerful works they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the King who is coming in the name of Adonai!” [1]
“Shalom in heaven!” and “Glory in the highest places!”

39 Some of the P’rushim in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi! Reprimand your talmidim!” 40 But he answered them, “I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones will shout!” [2] 8 Many people carpeted the road with their clothing, while others spread out green branches which they had cut in the fields. [3]

Carpeting the road with their clothing was a public declaration of political allegiance (compare 2 Kings 9:13). Yeshua enters Yerushalayim as its king, and the people accept Him as such.

Yeshua Foresees Destruction

41 When Yeshua had come closer and could see the city, He wept over it, 42 saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for shalom! But for now, it is hidden from your sight. 43 For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, encircle you, hem you in on every side,

This mode of punishment for Yerushalayim is spoken of in Isaiah 29:3, Jeremiah 6:6, and Ezekiel 4:2. The very explicit prophecy of this and the following verse was fulfilled in the Roman conquest of Yerushalayim, 66–70 CE.

44 and dash you to the ground, you and your children within your walls, leaving not one stone standing on another—and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!” [4]

Yeshua’s Popularity Recognized

10 When He entered Yerushalayim, the whole city was stirred. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds answered, “This is Yeshua, the prophet from Natzeret in the Galil.” [5] 17 The group that had been with Him when he called El’azar out of the tomb and raised Him from the dead had been telling about it. 18 It was because of this, too, that the crowd came out to meet Him – they had heard that He had performed this miracle. 19 The P’rushim said to each other, “Look, you’re getting nowhere! Why the whole world has gone after Him!” [6]

Yeshua Returns to Beit-Anyah

11 Yeshua entered Yerushalayim, went into the Temple courts, and took a good look at everything, but since it was now late, He went out with the Twelve to Beit-Anyah. [7]

In our next, we continue to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] Psalm 118:26.
[2] Luke 19:33–40.
[3] Mark 11:8.
[4] Luke 19:41–44.
[5] Mattityahu 21:10–11.
[6] Yochanan 12:17–19.
[7] Mark 11:11.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 131

On By Donald N. NorrisIn God's Appointed Times, Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Passion Week ~ Sunday

In our last post, we examined the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, we walk with Yeshua as He returns to Yerushalayim for the final time.

Background

It is now late March, and Pesach is near. The time has come for Yeshua to be delivered up as our Pesach Lamb. Both Pesach and Hag HaMatzah (Feast of Unleavened Bread) are tied to the remembrance of the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The principal Scriptural reference for Pesach is in B’midbar (Exodus) 12:1-13 and Hag HaMatzah in Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:5-8. Yeshua is about to be slain for the salvation of all who would recognize and accept the power in His blood.

Even as He approached Yerushalayim, His enemies were plotting His death. Riding on a lowly colt, Yeshua is met by multitudes who shout praise to God for having sent this “great prophet” in whom they now believe. He knows that most of them still do not understand the true nature of His messiahship and deity. He is now given the most incredible welcome of His ministry. His enemies now let Him have His day of glory. [1]

12 The next day, the large crowd that had come for the festival heard that Yeshua was on His way into Yerushalayim. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting,

“Deliver us!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai, the King of Isra’el!”  [2]

29 As he approached Beit-Pagei and Beit-Anyah, by the Mount of Olives, He sent two talmidim, 30 instructing them, “Go into the village ahead; on entering it, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks why you are untying it, tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.'” [3]

4 This happened in order to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet,

5 “Say to the daughter of Tziyon,
‘Look! Your King is coming to you,
riding humbly on a donkey
and on a colt, the offspring of a beast of burden!'” [4]

16 His talmidim did not understand this at first, but after Yeshua had been glorified, then they remembered that the Tanakh said this about Him and that they had done this for Him. [5]

4 They went off and found a colt in the street tied in a doorway, and they untied it. 5 The bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They gave the answer Yeshua had told them to give, and they let them continue. 7 They brought the colt to Yeshua and threw their robes on it, and he sat on it. [6]

In our next, we follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1]  F. LaGard Smith, The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order.
[2]  Yochanan 12:12–13.
[3]  Luke 19:29–31.
[4]  Mattityahu 21:4–5 (quoting Zechariah 9.:9).
[5]  Yochanan 12:16.
[6]  Mark 11:4–7.

The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 130

On By Donald N. NorrisIn Red Letter WordsLeave a comment

Yeshua’s Final Journey ~ Part 7

In our last post, we have been dealing with the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, Yeshua Goes Toward Yerushalayim.

Yeshua Goes Toward Yerushalayim

After telling the Parable of the ten manim Luke reports that Yeshua went on ahead toward Yerushalayim. (Luke 19:28).

55 The Judean festival of Pesach was near, and many people went up from the country to Yerushalayim to perform the purification ceremony prior to Pesach. 56 They were looking for Yeshua, and as they stood in the Temple courts, they said to each other, “What do you think? that he simply won’t come to the festival?” 57 Moreover, the head cohanim and the P’rushim had given orders that anyone knowing Yeshua’s whereabouts should inform them so that they could have him arrested.

The purification ceremony prior to Pesach. Those who had become ritually unclean because of touching a dead body had to purify themselves by immersion (Numbers 9:10, 13). Sometimes the purification required seven days (Numbers 31:19–20). What do you think? That he simply won’t come to the festival? That is since He knows the authorities seek His death, will He disobey the Torah and not show up to save His skin?

1 Six days before Pesach, Yeshua came to Beit-Anyah, where El’azar lived, the man Yeshua had raised from the dead; 2 so they gave a dinner there in His honor. Marta served the meal, and El’azar was among those at the table with Him. 3 Miryam took a whole pint of pure oil of spikenard, which is very expensive, poured it on Yeshua’s feet, and wiped His feet with her hair so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of the talmidim, Y’hudah from K’riot, the one who was about to betray Him, said, 5 “This perfume is worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” 6 Now, he said this not out of concern for the poor but because he was a thief – he was in charge of the common purse and used to steal from it. 7 Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! She kept this for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

You always have the poor among you, as Deuteronomy 15:11 teaches, but you will not always have me. While Yeshua’s point is to call the attention of His talmidim to the importance of His brief remaining time on earth, some, noting the stress Judaism puts on charity, have regarded His remark as insensitive and selfish. It is not, for two reasons: (1) Miryam’s timely act of love toward the Messiah is valued by God precisely for its unselfishness, and (2) the marginal significance of the resources here withheld from the poor is negligible compared both with their need and with the opportunities available to potential givers.

9 A large crowd of Judeans learned that He was there, and they came not only because of Yeshua but also so that they could see El’azar, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 The head cohanim then decided to do away with El’azar too, 11 since it was because of him that large numbers of the Judeans were leaving their leaders and putting their trust in Yeshua.  [1]

Because of him, that is, because El’azar had been raised from the dead by Yeshua, large numbers of Judeans were leaving their leaders, the P’rushim and the Head Cohanim, and putting their trust in Yeshua, who, by demonstrating God’s power and holiness commends Himself as the true leader of Judeans in particular and Jews generally.

In our next, we will begin to follow Yeshua into Yerushalayim for His Crucifixion by the end of the week.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1]  Yochanan 11:55-12:11