Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Shalom,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 9-Feb-2021 27th of Sh’vat, 5781
Ex 22:4-26 2 Ki 11-12 Ps 137 Jn 11:28-57 (2 Ti 3)
Our reading in the Gospels yesterday and today is from John 11. Read it slowly. Lazarus was sick. He was the brother of Miriam and Martha. We all know the story, but we can still be blessed by it. They summon Yeshua, but He is slow in responding. John 11:6 However, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two more days. Obviously, Yeshua is testing their faith.
Have you ever felt Yeshua was slow in responding? Since we know He is never late, He must be testing our faith. John 11:14 Then Yeshua told them clearly, “Lazarus is dead! 15 I’m glad for your sake I wasn’t there, so that you may believe. Anyway, let’s go to him!”
Yeshua is actually quite emotional as He approaches their village. John 11:33 When Yeshua saw her weeping, and the Judeans who came with her weeping, He was deeply troubled in spirit and Himself agitated. Why would Yeshua be “troubled and agitated?” Perhaps He was hoping for a more faithful and spirit filled response. And then, the shortest verse in the Bible… John 11:35 Yeshua wept.
Following that, Yeshua says one of the most remarkable things. He simply reminds Martha of His previous promise. John 11:40 Yeshua says to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” This is the message for God’s people today. Believe! Have faith!! John 11:43 And when He had said this, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And as a result, many believed.
In another similar situation, Yeshua is asked by the Apostles why the demon didn’t respond to their command. And Yeshua explained to them it is a matter of faith… Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Yeshua in private and said, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 And He said to them, “Because you trust so little. Amen, I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” It’s the same message in both stories and it is for us, the followers of Yeshua today… “Have faith (and) nothing will be impossible for you.”
Week 7
Memory Verse: Hebrews 9:22 And nearly everything is purified in blood according to the Torah, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
31 2/8 Monday: Exodus 8-9
* 32 2/9 Tuesday: Exodus 10-11
33 2/10 Wednesday: Exodus 12
34 2/11 Thursday: Exodus 13:17-14
35 2/12 Friday: Exodus 16-17
Question of the day: Why did God bring the plagues upon Pharaoh and all of Egypt? Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart?
Answer: Exodus 11:7b so that you may know that Adonai makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. This is likely to be short. The same is true today. Why is God bringing tribulation on the earth? So that the world will know that God makes a distinction between those who follow Him and everyone else.
Moses had to tell the children of Israel… Exodus 14:13a But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see the salvation of Adonai, which He will perform for you today.” And, even today, we can hear the voice of God telling His people. “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see Yeshua. Mark 13:25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.’ 26 And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.