Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, December 22, 2021\\\
Shalom *|FNAME|*,

RR – 12/22/21 Synagogues of the Righteous Light by Eddie Hart (guest writer) – Part 2
Continued from Eddie Hart, who wrote part 1 on Monday.

In Rev 2:5 Yeshua warns the congregation, “repent and do the deeds you did at first”.  They had grown cold, and their Menorah light had grown weak.  It does not imply their salvation was lost, but it was in danger.  If they still had the love of Yeshua how could they “not” be doing the deeds of old?  Perhaps it is also a warning to specific members in the congregation who had grown cold and caught up in the world. Since the total worth of light from their Menorah is adversely affected by individuals who are no longer active.  One might think, “Show me your faith with your works.”  For if we have faith without works we have no light because we have no oil.  If we have faith with no light, who is served by the darkness?

Yeshua threatens to remove their Menorah.  Mat 18:15-16 says, if your brother has fault, …”by mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.” And, Mat 18:20 says “…where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.”    It takes two or three spirit filled leaders to fully serve with the assurance of Yeshua’s presence. If we have a hundred members of a congregation but cannot find 2 or 3 with oil and trimmed wicks, willing to serve, Yeshua will take our Holy Menorah away.  This sounds like a congregational contract of joint venture.

In my understanding this is not necessarily a loss of salvation, but it is a tragic loss of congregational effectiveness.  The congregation does not save the members, Yeshua does.  We feel inclined to point to what “others” need to do.  Rather we should ask what Yeshua wants me to do.

The congregation is defined in the eyes of others by the works of the Saints, well or ill.  I think it is safe to say, if our individual relationship with Yeshua stays strong, then we will continue to grow, continue to serve, and continue to forgive.  We will remain repentant and continue as witnesses of the good news.  We will be those who store up oil.  We will burn bright without being burned, as we use the wick Yeshua made for us.  He decides how long we will burn for Him… giving light to the world.  Shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 22-Dec-2021 18th of Tevet, 5782
Ex 3:1-15 2 Sa 6 Ps 74 Lk 5 (Gal 2)

Week 52
Memory Verse:  Revelation 21:3 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. 4 He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away.”

256   12/20    Monday:        Revelation 2
257   12/21    Tuesday:       Revelation 3
258   12/22    Wednesday:  Revelation 19:6-20
259   12/23    Thursday:      Revelation 21
260   12/24    Friday:           Revelation 22