Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, September 17, 2022
Shabbat Shalom,
Growing in Love for God 34 by David Harwood
Yeshua developed a uniquely spiritual fellowship with His closest co-laborers. They were the companions who were closest to His heart. He revealed Himself to them. He revealed His Father to them. He revealed secrets of the now-and-coming Kingdom to them.
Yeshua is our example in developing spiritual fellowship.
My perspective is that a wonderful illustration of this is found in Matthew 16.
When Yeshua came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14They answered, “Some say John the Immerser, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15He said, “But who do you say I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17Yeshua said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven! (Matthew 16:13–17 TLV)
In this brief interchange there is a window into the type of fellowship the Lord developed.
At the beginning of His ministry, at the moment of His anointing, Yeshua received a powerful revelation. He was affirmed in His identity through hearing our Father’s voice. From what I recall of Scripture, God had not audibly spoken to a gathering of His people since Sinai. What happened to Yeshua, what the onlookers heard and saw, was, and is, unparalleled in human history. It was an amazing experience for Yeshua, son of David,
After being immersed, Yeshua rose up out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Ruach Elohim descending like a dove and coming upon Him. 17And behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16–17 TLV)
The Messiah, knew His identity and, at the Jordan, it was reaffirmed by Father. But people? Even those who heard the Voice didn’t quite get it.
Now, there were those who surmised who Yeshua was. However, it seems that their comprehension was derived through human observations and conclusions. As pertaining to Peter’s confession, finally there was another who knew Him in a way that transcended hopeful enthusiasm or intellect. Peter had received a revelation. Peter somehow heard from Father. He grasped Yeshua’s identity through interaction with God. He’d received the same light as the Messiah about Yeshua’s hidden, unseen identity.
This was not just an Aha! moment for Peter. This was also an At Last! moment for Yeshua. Finally someone could enter into fellowship with Him upon the basis of who He really was. Yeshua was overjoyed.
Delving into this, maybe we might say that, through the window of God Incarnate’s response, we can see that God wants to be known. He wants to be understood. Also, our Creator blesses those who are faithful to the revelation they receive and communicate it.
What transpired between the Lord Yeshua, Peter, and Yeshua’s Father, is a pattern of the spiritual fellowship the Messiah is developing.
It is an aspect of what is called “walking in the light.”
John wrote of a facet of this dynamic. In 1 John 1:3 we read of his invitation to others to join him in fellowship with the Father and the Son. The apostle shared his purpose.
What we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so you may have fellowship with us. Indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Yeshua the Messiah. (1 John 1:3 TLV)
John gave this principle and promise.
But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7a TLV)
We are beckoned to “walk in the light of Adonai.” (Isaiah 2:5 TLV)
Through revelation Peter was brought into a deeper degree of spiritual harmony with the Lord Yeshua. The revelation from Father and the Messiah’s blessing became part of the bedrock of Simon son of Jonah’s life. It provided a foundation of fellowship with Yeshua.
Be like Peter. Ask Father for illumination about His Son. God will share His view with you. The result will be increased love for, and fellowship with, the living God.
To know Him is to love Him.
To love Him is to be known by Him.
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. (1 Corinthians 8:3 TLV)
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat 17-Sep-2022 21st of Elul, 5782 Parashat Ki Tavo Leil Selichot
De 29:1-8 Isa 60:1-22 Ro 8:31-39