Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Shalom,
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. We will have 3 worship services to fully celebrate that holiday, Sunday night, September 27th at 7pm and 2 services on Monday, September 28th, 10:30am and 6pm. There, that’s my opening comment today. We have to start somewhere. That seemed like my best option on the first of September. There are several reasons I wanted to go there first, beyond the obvious announcement; we are entering the high holiday season.
Rabbi Trail: You know how there are Christmas and Easter Christians? Well there are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Jews. However; God is 24/7 and He is raising up a people who will stand with Him and for Him 24/7 as well. We may think we need a holiday, but God is saying, “I have given you the weekly Shabbat and spring feasts and fall feasts to balance your calendar. My point here is simply this… honor God by observing (obediently celebrating) His calendar appointed feasts. Every holiday comes with a blessing. End RT.
The main reason I wanted to start with Yom Kippur, is in connection with our study of the Song of Songs. We read this in Song of Songs 1:14 My love is to me a spray of henna blooms in the vineyards of Ein-Gedi. Keith pointed out to me that the Hebrew for “henna” is “Kippur,” so I did a full study on “Kippur.”
We all know it means atonement, but there is so much more. It means ransom. Yeshua did not come to be served (Matthew 20:28), but to serve others. He paid the ransom for us. Matthew 20:28b “…to give His life as a ransom for many.” It may also mean propitiation (Yeshua came to regain favor for us)or expiation (Yeshua came to make amends for our wrongdoing). As you can see, “Kippur” is a great word.
There’s something else too… Yeshua’s “Kippur” is a cover over us. The veil (thick curtain) separating us from the Holy of Holies is called a “Kapporet.” That veil was torn to signify that through His sacrificial death, we now have access to the presence of our heavenly Father.
Matthew 27:50 And Yeshua cried out again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the Temple was split in two, from top to bottom. And the earth quaked and rocks were split apart.
We say “He died for us” as if it is just another “something” in a long line of “somethings.” The fullness of the reality is that His substitutionary death for us is the life-defining event for all of creation. Let’s rest in that eternal truth, glory be to God.
Week 36
Memory Verse: Luke 23:34 But Yeshua was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they cast lots, dividing up His clothing.
176 8/31 Monday: Matthew 24:32-51
* 177 9/01 Tuesday: John 17
178 9/02 Wednesday: Matthew 26:47-27:31
179 9/03 Thursday: Matthew 27:32-66; Luke 23:26-56
180 9/04 Friday: John 19
Question of the day: How do we unpack this verse? John 17:10 All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.
Answer: Yeshua is in the middle of everything, even Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is a lot of talk about “glory” in John 17. That “glory” must be properly understood. God’s “glory” is His oneness. He is not just “one,” as in singular, but His is “one” as in the one and only. He is not just first in line, there is no-one else in line. John 17:10 finds Yeshua exchanging possessions with the Father and then being made one in us.
Paul declares that the full message is this… Colossians 1:27b which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory! From the cross, Yeshua said “it is finished.” John 19:30 When Yeshua tasted the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
But the grave could not contain Him… Matthew 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Yeshua who was crucified. 6a He is not here; for He is risen, just as He said. This is King of kings and Lord of lords to Whom all will bow. Give Him glory.