Rabbi’s Reflections – Sunday, March 21, 2021
Shavuah Tov,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun 21 Mar-2021 8th of Nisan, 5781
Le 6:1-11 Isa 30 Pr 22 Ac 21 (Rev 15)
He Is Risen! Part 1 by Dr. Raymond Finney
INTRODUCTION: In 2021, much of Christendom (in our area) will celebrate Easter on April 4. Most persons observe this day as the anniversary of Yeshua’s resurrection from the dead nearly two millennia ago. Some denominations observe other days and seasons leading up to this day– Lent, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, and so forth.
Yeshua’s resurrection was the greatest event in His earthly ministry. The Apostle Paul chose this miracle as the backbone of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 2:1-2): When I [Paul] came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with excellence of speech or wisdom, proclaiming to you the mystery of God. For I decided not to know about anything among you except Yeshua the Messiah– and Him crucified.
Later in this letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasized the great importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19): And if Messiah has not been raised [from the dead], then our proclaiming [the Gospel] is meaningless and your faith also is meaningless. |…| And if Messiah has not been raised, your faith is futile– you are still in your sins. |…| If we have hoped in Messiah in this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all people.
For many years the late Paul Harvey hosted a popular radio news commentary program, “The Rest of the Story.” In my memory, I can still hear Paul’s unique voice: “And now you know… the rest of the story.”
In this three-part RR series, I plan to mention briefly some aspects about the holy event of Yeshua’s resurrection to help us start thinking about His resurrection as the template for our own resurrection. I will present what may be some interesting (little known?) teachings (“the rest of the story”) about the season of Yeshua’s death, burial, and resurrection, as well as the generation which rejected Him. These teachings may enhance your knowledge and appreciation of this holiest of all Messianic seasons.
I take the title of this RR series from the testimony of the angel who spoke to the women who went to Yeshua’s tomb to prepare His body for burial (Matthew 28:5-8): But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Yeshua who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly now and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. And behold, He’s going before you to the Galilee. There you will see Him. See, I have told you!” They quickly left the tomb, with fear yet with great joy, and ran to bring news to His disciples.
THE NAME EASTER: “Easter” is a pagan name. I try not to use it, preferring “Resurrection Day.” The pagan background of this season may date back to ca 2500 BC from the Sumerian legend of Damuzi (Tammuz) and his wife Inanna (Ishtar). In this legend, Tammuz died. A grieving Ishtar followed him to the underworld. Here, she was judged, killed, and hung on display. In her absence, the Earth lost its fertility, crops ceased growing, and animals stopped reproducing. Had nothing been done, all worldly life would have ended. Ishtar was missing for three days, and her assistant sought help from other gods. One god, going to the underworld, gave Tammuz and Ishtar the power to return to earth as the light of the sun for six months. And so on. In this RR, I may reluctantly use the pagan name “Easter” for Christendom’s holiest day. In the future, I may write an RR about errors of the early Church fathers titled, “What Were They Thinking?”
“Easter” evolved from various names for pagan fertility goddesses– Old English Easterdæg, from Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from Proto-Germanic *austron- (“dawn”), also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally goddess of sunrise, whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox, et cetera.
Easter was not observed until many decades after Yeshua’s resurrection. Observances such as Easter bunnies and Easter eggs are throwbacks to these ancient pagan fertility rites. A Blount County church Linda and I attended more than a decade ago hosted an annual, very popular, county-wide Easter egg hunt. I was always a reliable (although amicable) “no” vote. I opposed anything which glorified Ishtar. Eggs and bunnies were fertility symbols, used in ancient Ishtar worship.
HOW ARE DATES OF EASTER DETERMINED? Easter is a “movable date” – a date which has no set calendar date. Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the full moon that comes on or after the vernal equinox (March 21 every year). If that full moon actually occurs on March 21 (as it does this year), Easter is observed the following Sunday. Easter, then, can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. This method of fixing the date was established in AD 325 at the Council of Nicea. And, there are Western or Eastern Easters, based on influences (methods) of the Roman Catholic Church (Gregorian calendar) or the Eastern Orthodox Church (Julian calendar). Word to the wise… Simplify your life… buy a calendar.
HOW ARE DATES OF PASSOVER DETERMINED? The Jewish calendar year begins in late September/ early October with Rosh Hashana. Our Western calendar is based on the solar year; the Jewish calendar uses twelve lunar months of 29 to 30 days in length. A new moon marks the beginning of each Jewish month, with a full moon occurring halfway through the month. The seventh month of a Jewish year is Nisan (also called Abib (Aviv) in the Tanakh). Passover is celebrated on the 14th day of Nisan (Abib) at the time of the full moon. See: http://www.rayfowler.org/writings/articles/determining-the-dates-for-easter-and-passover/ .
APOSTOLIC OBSERVANCE OF “EASTER?” But, wait. Easter was celebrated in the first century AD by Yeshua’s apostles, right? Wrong. The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is the most poetic Bible translation we have. The KJV, printed in 1611 during William Shakespeare’s lifetime (1564–1616), is Shakespearean in its beauty of language. But, the KJV can be a sloppy translation. An erroneously translated passage is present in Acts 12:4, KJV: And when he [King Herod] had apprehended him [the Apostle Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions [quaternion = a four-soldier guard] of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. After Easter? Really? Neither Peter nor Herod had ever heard of Easter. And, Peter probably would have had nothing to do with a holiday named after a pagan fertility goddess. The word mistranslated “Easter” is Pascha (Greek), coming Peçach (Chaldean-Hebrew), and is properly translated “Passover” (English). The author of Acts (Luke) knew all about Passover (a Jewish Holy Day), but had never heard of Easter (a Catholic, later Protestant holiday). And, there is no ancient word for “Easter” – no ancient Greek word for Luke to write and KJV scholars to translate.
GOD’S PREPARATION FOR YESHUA’S SACRIFICIAL DEATH AND RESURRECTION: Adonai gave at least eight Biblical teachings about the shedding of blood to atone for sin, as summarized in 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. In time, the actual shedding of blood (animal sacrifice) was replaced by the drinking of red (blood-colored) wine. The observances involve a Communion-like meal (bread and wine). The following examples are lengthy, but please read them. They provide the background for God’s plans for us and the need for Yeshua’s vicarious (substitutionary – in our place) death:
● Example one. The acceptable sacrifice: See Genesis, chapter 4. Adam and Chavvah (Eve) had two sons– Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a herdsman. Both built altars; both sacrificed the best of what they produced to God. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, which involved the slaughter (blood-shedding) of animals; He rejected Cain’s sacrifice, which did not involve animal slaughter (blood-shedding). From the very beginning, the only sacrifice acceptable to God pointed to the bloody death of the Passover Lamb, Yeshua. The shedding of Yeshua’s blood was the sacrifice to God. He became the substitute for the death we should endure. God announced though Cain and Abel that personal sin can be forgiven by the shedding of blood, but the world waited for the One perfect enough to shed His blood for the remission (forgiveness) of all mankind’s sins.
● Example two. Communion of Abram (Abraham) with Melchizedek: See Genesis, chapter 14. In his journey from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan, Abram came to Salem (destined to become Jerusalem), where he met King Melchizedek. [Melchizedek = “King of Righteousness” or “King of Salem” (Salem, from Shalom = “Peace”)] and Priest of God Most High. Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine and the two of them shared this meal (forerunner of a Communion meal). Abram tithed a tenth of all he owned to the King. Many believe that Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek was a Christophany, which is an earthly appearance of Yeshua before His birth in Bethlehem. In His First Coming, Yeshua came in three offices– Prince, Priest, and Prophet. In His Second Coming, Yeshua will come as King and Priest, on the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:1-10). Yeshua’s office of Prophet will be abolished, as all prophecy will have been fulfilled in the Person of Yeshua. From Prince, Yeshua will become King (of kings, Lord of lords); from Priest, Yeshua will become the High Priest. The ceremonial drinking of wine represents Yeshua’s perfect, New Covenant sacrifice to God. We accept that sacrifice on faith when we participate in Communion. God announced that Abram’s descendants– Jews and Christians/ Believers– would some day fill the world with those who would serve the Living God. The narrative continues in Genesis, chapter 15, being linked with, “After these things….” What happened “after these things,” is that God celebrated the Abrahamic Covenant, first given in Genesis, chapter 12. In this covenant, God promised Abram (later to be re-named Abraham) that He would call out a special people (Israel) for Himself; through these people, He would bless the whole world (through Yeshua the Messiah, and Believers who follow Him); these people would form a great nation (Israel); Abraham would be blessed, and his name made great; and whoever blesses God’s people will be blessed, but whoever curses God’s people will be cursed.
● Example three. The LORD’s Passover: See Exodus, chapter 12. After more than four centuries of bondage in Egypt (combined voluntary and involuntary exile from Canaan), God raised up Moses and Aaron to lead the Israelites back to the Promised Land (Canaan, later Israel). Before their arduous wilderness journey, God planned to pass over Egypt, striking dead the firstborn of all who did not share faith in Him (killing the Egyptians, but sparing the Israelites). The prophetic announcement of a future Messiah is clearly obvious in the Passover observance. Each Israelite family was to take a perfect, yearling lamb; sacrifice him (slit his throat); paint a tav on the two doorposts and lintel of their houses– a total of three tavs (in paleo-Hebrew, a tav resembled a cross); and roast and eat all of the lamb. Here, the shedding of the lamb’s blood prophesied the shedding of blood of Yeshua, our Passover Lamb. Yeshua became the perfect sacrifice to God and His death and resurrection instituted God’s last Covenant (the New Covenant). God announced that the blood of a Lamb, accepted in faith, will save persons from spiritual death (the Second Death– eternal death of the soul), as faith in the blood of a slain lamb in ancient Egypt several millennia ago protected the Israelites from physical death (the First Death– death of the body).
● Example four. Meeting of Moses and others with God: See Exodus, chapter 24. Moses and a select group of Israel’s leaders ascended a mountain to eat and drink (a Communion meal of bread and wine?) with God. Then, God gave Moses tablets of stone (the Ten Commandments) to form the basis of their law. Moses clearly knew of a “Prophet like Moses” – the Messiah– who would come in the future (Deuteronomy 15:18-19). Here, the ceremonial drinking of wine in faith is the prelude of Yeshua’s perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. God announced that His people must live by His laws and commandments. Many Believers sadly believe that Yeshua came to replace “Jewish laws” written in the Tanakh. In so doing, they would make Yeshua into a liar (Matthew 5:17-18): [Yeshua said] “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass.” [In various translations, the “smallest letter or serif” may be translated as “iota/ jot/ yod or tittle/ serif/ crown/ ornament/ stroke.” That is, the seemingly most unimportant parts of the Holy Writ– smallest letter and punctuation mark– shall not be changed by Yeshua. All words are important.]
● Example five. Yeshua’s first miracle: See John, chapter 2. Three years before Yeshua’s resurrection at the very beginning of His ministry, He attended a wedding in Cana of Galilee with Mary, His mother. A wedding was the most important event in a Jewish couple’s life. The couple’s friends and relatives would be invited to a several-day wedding feast. (If your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you have a future wedding to the Bridegroom Yeshua scheduled, and you will enjoy a Marriage Feast with all of your friends and relatives.) Wine, a symbol of joy, would be provided for the first-century Jewish wedding guests. An unthinkable faux pas in hospitality planning occurred at the Cana wedding. The family ran out of wine. John carefully recorded there were six stone jars of water of the type used in the Jews’ purification rituals. [Six = number for man in Jewish gematria, or Jewish numerology. Thus, water purification rituals were instituted for the benefit of mankind.] Mary summoned Yeshua to remedy this problem. (I could write an entire RR on this request, questioning the Roman Catholic doctrine that Mary is Co-redemptrix with Yeshua.) Yeshua told the servants to fill the pots with water. (Water is the symbol for the Ruach HaKodesh. He was telling us, human clay pots, to stay over-filled with the Ruach to appreciate God’s blessings.) Yeshua, then, told the servants to draw wine from the jars they thought contained only water. Obeying Yeshua, the servants drew “the finest wine” for the guests from the stone pots, instead of the expected water. In beginning His ministry as our High Priest, Yeshua signaled that He came to transform older worship practices (typified by ritual purification of sin by mikvah bathing in water) to better New Covenant worship practices (purification of sin by being cleansed through His blood sacrifice on the cross and symbolized by immersion– baptism– in water). During His Communion teaching, (which should be familiar to all Shomair congregants) Yeshua explained that His blood sacrifice, which washes sin from a Believer’s life, is symbolized by red wine or fruit of the vine (whether in the ceremonial water jars at Cana or in the Communion cup at Shomair Yisrael).
● Example six. Yeshua’s Communion teaching: See Matthew, chapter 26; Mark, chapter 14; Luke, chapter 22. At the Passover Seder Yeshua observed with His disciples, He taught many things He wanted His followers to know. He knew He would die horribly within hours. If you knew you only had a few hours to live, what instructions would you leave your family?
He took two food elements, which would be present at any Passover Seder:
** Bread: Bread symbolized His body, broken during crucifixion for us. The bread was matzo. Matzo is unleavened, as the yeast became a metaphor for sin, and Yeshua had to be sinless or He could not be the Son of God. Numerous Scriptures emphasize the sinless nature of Yeshua. The recipe for matzo is a “recipe” for Yeshua. Matzo is composed of flour (representing Yeshua’s Son of Man aspect– the human part from the earth); and water (representing Yeshua’s Son of God aspect– the Godly part imbued by the Ruach HaKodesh). Unlike most breads, matzo contains no leavening (yeast), which had become a metaphor for sin (yeast puffs up, sours the dough, spoils the bread, etc.). And, the dough was baked (commonly, on a hot griddle), with the heat symbolizing the hard life Yeshua, as Man of Sorrows, would endure for us. Communion participants break off part of the matzo sheet, symbolizing Yeshua’s body broken for us.
** Fruit of the vine (wine): Making concessions to teetotalers and minors, we often serve grape juice at Communion. The Greek text merely states that Yeshua “took the cup,” but does not specifically mention what the cup contained. However, wine would be available at the time of Passover (fermentation preserves the juice), but fresh grape juice would not be available. Communion participants drink the red wine/ juice, symbolizing Yeshua’s blood shed for us and accepting God’s New Covenant.
** During this season, please read the Suffering Servant Chapter, Isaiah 53: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+53&version=TLV . This passage is a clear prophecy of the coming of two Messiahs (one Messiah, coming twice), and foretold the first Messiah’s rejection, sorrow, and passion (suffering).
** Are there persons who should postpone observing Communion? Yes. See 1 Corinthians 1:26-29): For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and then let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For the one who eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.
● Example seven. Communion is for every generation: See Romans, chapter 3. Some congregations observe Communion infrequently. I believe the early church observed Communion daily, and the B’rit Chadashah phrase of “breaking bread” may refer to Communion. I publicly commend Rabbi Weiner for observing Communion at every service. We correctly break the matzo in recognition of Paul’s teaching that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Since every member of Shomair falls short of the glory of God, it is appropriate that every member should acknowledge his/ her offense against God. Breaking Yeshua’s body should be a reminder that in the preceding week my sins nailed Yeshua to the cross. Drinking Yeshua’s blood should be a reminder that Yeshua was a surrogate, a scapegoat for my sins and His blood was shed for me.
Some evangelists (for example, Perry Stone of the Voice of Evangelism) recommend daily Communion in the home. Stone calls this practice “The Meal that Heals” – https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/spiritual-growth/4050-the-meal-that-heals . I tried this for a few months, and I should resume it now. I happen to awaken a few hours before my wife and I always find something to busy myself before she gets up. I feel the day– the best part of the day– is mostly gone by 8:00 am. Before my first cup of coffee, I drank a little grape juice, ate a bit of matzo, and reflected on Yeshua’s sacrifice for me. The day started much, much better. Try daily Communion in your home. See for yourself. You may find a much better day awaits you!
Rabbi’s note: Jan and I receive communion together every evening. It is a blessed part of our day. We highly recommend it.
Perry Stone’s assertion that there might be healing in daily Communion in the home is based on Yeshua’s three prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-46 (see explanation in a following RR); the miraculous health of Israelites in the wilderness who had eaten the entire Passover lamb, Psalm 105:37; the power of healing in prayer, Jacob (James) 5:14-15, 16b, and so forth. Of course, Paul was denied supernatural healing, being told to be content with God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). And, God’s healing gifts and knowledge may come through the healthcare scientists and providers to whom He has revealed healing secrets.
● Example eight. The future Communion: See Revelation, chapter 19. If you are admitted to Heaven, you will spiritually marry the Bridegroom Yeshua. Thereafter, you will feast at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Even now, you are preparing and adorning your fine linen bridal gown/ robe. As I read the Revelation, I believe these events will occur in the last half of the seven-year stay in Paradise. The Two Witnesses will be assassinated in the mid-point of this time (Tribulation on Earth) and will be resurrected to be the two witnesses required at every Jewish wedding, including our wedding in Paradise.
Know that every Passover Seder uses four cups of wine. (Some set, but do not use, a fifth cup– a cup for Elijah, but I will avoid hunting a ball in the weeds for this explanation.) The classic four cups, named after Adonai’s promises to the Israelites in Exodus 6:6-7, are:
** Cup of Sanctification (Exodus 6:6a): [Adonai said: “Say to Bnei-Yisrael] I am Adonai, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians….”
** Cup of Judgment (Exodus 6:6b): [Adonai said: “Say to Bnei-Yisrael] … I will deliver you from their bondage,….”
** Cup of Redemption (Exodus 6:6c): [Adonai said: “Say to Bnei-Yisrael] … I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”
** Cup of Praise (Exodus 6:6c): [Adonai said: “Say to Bnei-Yisrael] I will take you to Myself as a people, and I will be your God….”
At the Passover Seder Yeshua celebrated with His disciples, He probably announced the New Covenant and taught Communion with the third cup. He probably avoided the fourth cup, making an unusual statement (Matthew 26:29): [Yeshua said] “But I say to you, I will never drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
Picture the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We are all seated at rows of tables farther than the eye can see. In front of all persons are silver chalices. (Why silver? Silver is the metal of redemption in the Bible.) The chalices are filled with the finest wine ever made– the same wine that Yeshua created at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Yeshua’s chalice is filled with the wine He did not drink at the Passover Seder nearly two millennia ago. All Believers will be there with their Bridegroom Yeshua. He will speak. He will lift His chalice of wine, and we all lift our chalices. We will drink together at our most important Communion and our wedding feast to the Lamb, as did brides and bridegrooms in first-century Jewish weddings. Drinking from our chalices, we are, now, eternally wed to our Bridegroom! God’s family is now complete! God’s final promise– “I will take you to Myself as a people, and I will be your God” – has been completed!
WILL THE HOLY GRAIL EVER BE FOUND? Short answer: No. Why not? A “Holy Grail” never existed. I have just mentioned Passover cups, which leads to this topic. When Yeshua drank at the Seder, the Greek text mentions His cup is, in the Greek, potērion, which is an ordinary cup. Yeshua and His disciples were poor, homeless men. He arranged a Seder just hours before His crucifixion. In other words, He arranged a caterer– probably a low-cost caterer– to provide the Passover meal. The caterer’s dinnerware was probably quite commonplace and ordinary, certainly not the elaborate, finely worked silver and gold vessels Christian mythology has devised.
From medieval legends to movies (Monty Python, Indiana Jones), the Grail has captured imagination. This relic is said to be the cup from which Yeshua drank at the “Last Supper.” It is claimed, Joseph of Arimathea used the grail to collect Yeshua’s blood, as it dripped from the cross. Thereafter, many faithful Christians sought this relic to adore in Yeshua’s absence. Some claim that this Joseph brought the Grail to Glastonbury, England, which would later be used by King Arthur. Others claim the Grail was buried at Yeshua’s crucifixion site, where it turns water in the area, red. This water has been tested and is red because of iron oxide (rust), not Yeshua’s blood. Others claim the Knights Templar stole the Grail during the Crusades and carried it to various locations. And, many treasures are sought for in the History Channel’s “The Treasure of Oak Island,” including the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, and so forth.
Be careful accepting “Christian relics” as true. Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I (the Great), was given the title of “Augustus of the Roman Empire” in AD 306. She had unlimited access to Rome’s treasury and was tasked with locating Christian relics. She traveled to Roman Palestine (now Israel) in AD 326-328. She brought Rome’s “checkbook,” and the wily Arabs saw her coming. The Arabs were most accommodating in finding holy relics of this Yeshua, who had been crucified as a criminal three centuries earlier. She located important “holy sites,” and she bought everything connected with Yeshua and His family and associates the Arabs could locate. Was Helena amazing? Gullible?
Up to this point, the Holy Grail and other relics only fit the narrative of an over-trusting, well-meaning Roman woman who had enormous wealth to spend and willing indigenous people to sell her whatever she wanted to buy. But, the story has morphed into what I consider blasphemy.
Persons with abundant time on their hands play with (move the “g” from one syllable to another) the Old French word, sangreal. San-graal (or San-gréal) = “Holy Grail.” But, sang real = “holy blood.” Are we talking about a cup (grail) used by Yeshua, or His royal blood? If royal blood, could this imply Yeshua fathered a bloodline of kings– the Merovingian Franks?
In 2003, Dan Brown published The Da Vinci Code. This work of fiction attempted to humanize Yeshua. Brown wrote a false view of who Yeshua was and explained why this “truth” has been “hidden” for nearly two millennia. The boring, mythical theory was that Joseph of Artimathea brought the Holy Grail, complete with Yeshua’s blood, to Great Britain, where Joseph had become wealthy with tin mining. The Grail was lost. Enter King Arthur, who became involved with the Grail, as Old Arthur wanted to use it only for good. Brown’s fictional novel continues in the quest to find the Grail. I will not bother sane people with more details.
Various stories have Yeshua surviving the crucifixion and marrying His girlfriend, Mary Magdalene. Yeshua and Mary, then, escaped to France, and had a child (children?). From this Yeshua-Mary Magdalene bloodline came royalty of Europe (France and Great Britain). Some stories have Yeshua escaping through Russia and Siberia to Japan, where He became a rice farmer on the island of Honshu. Life in Japan must have agreed with Him, as He lived to the age of 114 years.
THE TORN VEIL: In the Second Temple, there was a veil which separated the Holy of Holies– where the Jews believed God lived– from the people. This veil of woven linen was massive, measuring four inches in thickness, sixty feet in length, and thirty feet in height. Many men labored with great difficulty to set the veil in place. As Yeshua breathed His last breath on the cross, the veil was torn in two, from top to bottom (see Mark 15:38). God signaled that He would never again be separated from man. In tearing the veil from the top (the heavenly side) to the bottom (the earthly side), God was saying He would always be with us. God does not live in a Temple, but His Spirit inhabits every person’s body– including your body (1 Corinthians 3:16-17): Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim [God’s Spirit] dwells among you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. This passage is simultaneously reassuring and frightening. Wherever you go, you take God with you. Whatever you do to your body, you do it to God.
DO NOT “DEEPLY PAIN” ADONAI THIS WEEK: Keep the faith. The way things are going, say something nice to God and your neighbors this week. We humans have really botched up God’s plan for us. Yeshua told us it would be “as it was in the days of Noah,” when He returns (Matthew 24:37). What were “the days of Noah” like? Could Adonai again regret His decision to create man? Read about the original “days of Noah” in Genesis 6:5-6: Then Adonai saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their heart was only evil all the time. So Adonai regretted that He made humankind on the earth, and His heart was deeply pained. Try not to “deeply pain” Adonai this week, causing Him to regret making you.
TO BE CONTINUED: Please forgive this verbose, rambling RR. There is so much I would like to say about Resurrection Day, but I cannot get it all down in just three RRs. My thoughts just spill out in almost incoherent jumbles of words. Sorry. Until next Sunday, Shalom and Maranatha.