Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Shalom,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 23-Dec-2020 8th of Tevet, 5781
Ge 45:19-27 2 Sa 13 Ps 85 Lk 8:26-56 (2 Co 8)
I’m writing today on the reading from Luke 8:26-56.
Luke 8:26-39: In these verses everything seems upside down. In the land of the Gerasenes there is a demonized man. He doesn’t wear clothes (that’s upside down). He doesn’t live in a house (that’s upside down). He lives in tombs (that’s upside down – usually dead people occupy tombs). He begs Yeshua not to torment him (that’s upside down – Yeshua blesses people). A herd of pigs was feeding on the mountain (that’s upside down – usually sheep feed on the mountain, these are pigs acting like sheep).
Yeshua brings everything back into right order. The pigs commit suicide and the man is seen in his right mind, wearing clothes and sitting at Yeshua’s feet (probably getting a lesson on the Word – there were no print Bibles available at that time).
Luke 8:40-48: The woman with an issue of blood for 12 years touched Yeshua’s tzit-tzit and is immediately healed. Yeshua felt the power leaving Him and addresses the woman. Luke 8:48 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in shalom.” The faith and action of the woman combined to produce healing.
Luke 8:49-56: Yeshua brought back to life the 12 year old daughter of a synagogue leader. Yeshua took her by the hand and called out to her to get up, and she did.
These miracles happened and are recorded in Scripture to build our faith in Yeshua. It is He Who casts out demons and heals the body, even raising up those who have died. All of us (those who have believed on Him) have been spiritually healed to resurrected life. Since we are going to pick up with Revelation 21 tomorrow, I’m quoting from Revelation 20 today.
Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and people sat upon them—those to whom authority to judge was given. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Yeshua and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image, nor had they received his mark on their forehead or on their hand. And they came to life and reigned with the Messiah for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 How fortunate and holy is the one who has a share in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no authority, but they shall be kohanim of God and the Messiah, and they shall reign with Him for a thousand years.
Week 52
Memory Verse: Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore, be zealous and repent.
256 12/21 Monday: Revelation 2
257 12/22 Tuesday: Revelation 3
* 258 12/23 Wednesday: Revelation 19:6-20
259 12/24 Thursday: Revelation 21
260 12/25 Friday: Revelation 22
Question of the Day: The reading today from Revelation 19 is the text for the message this coming Shabbat. What will you speak about Rabbi?
Answer: I’m glad you asked, because I’ve already started preparing the message. I’m only partly prepared, but right now I want to focus on only one verse.
Revelation 19:15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword—so that with it (1) He may strike down the nations—and (2) He shall rule them with an iron rod, and (3) He treads the winepress of the furious wrath of Elohei-Tzva’ot.
3 references from the Hebrew Scriptures here…. The Lord will “strike down the nations,” “rule them,” and express His “furious wrath.” This brings to mind 3 specific Hebrew Scriptures. The day is coming (so we all should take heed) that righteousness will triumph over all evil. Don’t miss this thinking there will be grace. He will not judge with the sight of eyes, but He will judge… with righteousness.
Is 11:3 His delight will be in the fear of Adonai. He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor decide by what His ears hear. 4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the poor of the land. He will strike the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.
Ps 2:9 “You shall break the nations with an iron scepter. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s jar.” 10 So now, O kings, be wise, take warning, O judges of the earth! 11 Serve Adonai with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish along your way— since His wrath may flare up suddenly. Happy is everyone taking refuge in Him!
Is 63:1 “Who is this coming?… “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 “Why is Your apparel so red, and Your garments like one who treads in a wine press?”… 3b I trod them in My anger, and trampled them in My wrath. Their lifeblood spattered My garments
Finally, the wrath of God is not expressed in fighting (although His army is prepared for battle), but Yeshua speaks a word and the battle is won. Revelation 19:15a From His mouth comes a sharp sword. Personally, I want to be in the army of the Lord of hosts, and not in the army of the beast and the kings of the earth. The victory belongs to the Lord and all of His enemies will be destroyed.