Jesus the Jewish Messiah
BE FOREWARNED! I’m about to drop a bombshell in a radio-shock jock
kind of way (without the profanity). Don’t touch that dial! Hang in there and
hear me out.
Sometimes the
Yeshua (Jesus) that the Roman Catholic Church and even at times the Modern Day
Protestant Christian Church depicts is a very Westernized, Romanesque version
and barely, if at all, resembled who He really is as the Jewish Messiah.
Don’t Ask WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?), Just DWYD! (Do
What Yeshua Did!)
II Thess. 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means:
for except there come a falling away first, and that the man of sin
revealed…”
I Jn.3:4 Defines what sin is. “Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law (Torah) for sin is
the transgression of the law (Torah).”
Mt.7:21-23 “Not everyone that says, “Lord, Lord,”
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my
Father which is in heaven.”
What is the “will”
of the Father? Torah!
Verse 22: Many
will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name?
And in Your Name cast out demons? And in
Your Name done wonderful works?” Verse 23:
And then I will profess unto them, “I never knew (Hebrew: have been intimate with) you: depart from me you that work
iniquity (Torahlessness).”
Iniquity is
defined as, “Lawlessness” (Torahlessness) Greek: Anomia. A = Anti, against or another. Nomia = law. (Strong’s: 458)
The “Jesus” of
Catholicism and Christianity is seen as a Leonardo Divinci painting, a
Hellenistic, Greco-Roman looking, toga wearing, longhaired, fair skinned, blue
eyed, British speaking, zombified, hippy guru and rebel, who came and did away
with Torah (Law), and started a strange new religion. Like a bad fashion episode of, “Queer Eye for
the Straight Guy” make over, they have turned Yeshua into something He is not.
It’s like calling
Dr. Phil the Messiah yet painting him to look like Sigmund Freud, and taking,
and reading Dr. Phil’s books and yet not doing one thing he said to do, and on
top of that interpret what he has said as to say something entirely different
from what he meant.
This is NOT my
Messiah! This is NOT the Jews’ Messiah!
I hope that it is not YOUR Messiah. This, according to II Thess. 2:3-12,
is a description of the anti-Messiah (anti-Christ)! It is no wonder that the Jewish people will
not accept this “Jesus” Christianity portrays as the Messiah. And rightly so, because He is NOT! The Jews look at the Tanak (“Old Testament”)
and it tells what their Messiah is supposed to be like, and they see the
“Jesus” portrayed in Catholicism and Christianity, and immediately
dismiss him. Why? Because the “Jesus”
they see does not line up with the Torah (Law).
Most Catholics and
Christians today believe and claim that the Law has been abolished by the work
of Christ on the cross. However, this
“Christ” Himself, who died on that cross, said this about the Law.
Mt.5:17-20 “Think
not that I am come to destroy the Law (Torah) or the Prophets: (Nevi’im) (Both
are the Tanak or the “Old Testament”) I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
The word fulfill in v.17 does NOT mean, to complete, as in, to put an end to
something. It DOES mean to fill up, to
bring and render its full and complete meaning, to perform. In other words, Yeshua came to show us the
true meaning of the Torah so we could live it out as He did. In Yeshiva,
when Jewish students are learning to interpret Torah, in Yeshua’s day and now,
a Rabbi would give a passage for the students to interpret and the students
would go away and hash out the passage, and then would come back to the Rabbi,
excited and full of zeal, and say, “Rabbi, this is what this passage means!” If
they would give a wrong answer, the Rabbi would say, “No, you have abolished or
made void the Torah by your interpretation!” Then the students would go and
study the passage again and come back meeker and say, “Rabbi, we believe the
passage means this.” If they were correct the Rabbi would say, “Well done, you
have brought fulfillment to the Torah, you have given this passage its full and
correct meaning.” I believe that this known custom is what Yeshua was drawing
from when He said this. V.18 For verily (Truly, Most assuredly) I say unto you,
till heaven and earth pass…[Get up right now and look outside. Is the sky still up there? Is the earth still out there?]…not one
jot… (Jot is “Yod” in Hebrew, the
smallest letter that looks like an apostrophe.) … or one tittle… (Tittle is the
tiniest extension of the Hebrew letter “Dalet,” that differentiates it from
another similar Hebrew letter, the “Resh.”
It can also refer to the decorative flare on any given Hebrew
letter.) …shall in NO wise pass from the
Law (Torah) till ALL be fulfilled
(performed fully and all come into its full and complete meaning, understanding
and practice).
Again, the term to
“fulfill the Law” is not foreign to Judaism. It is a phrase used quite
regularly in Yeshivah’s (Jewish schools) worldwide. When a student gives a
correct interpretation to a passage of Torah the teacher proudly exclaims, “You
have fulfilled the Law.” Meaning the student brought the passages into its full
and complete meaning and understanding.
Reverend Moorehead
concurs:
“Some understanding of Yeshua's words needs to be
expressed. The terms 'destroy
the law' and 'fulfill the law' are Pharisaic
arguments. When someone
disagrees with a Torah teacher they accused him of 'destroying the law'
even on a little point. Usually the teacher will respond that he is 'fulfilling
the law' by correctly interpreting it. Thus Yeshua was responding to those
who disagreed with his teaching by saying that he was correctly interpreting or
establishing the law and thus, 'fulfilling the law'. Yeshua
said that not one jot (an apostrophe-like a Hebrew letter known as a yod) or a
tittle (a Hebrew decoration atop the letter) would pass away until heaven and
earth pass. Since Heaven and Earth are still here in its current form, I would
say that the Torah is still in effect. Verse 19 is a sobering warning to those
who teach others to break any commandment in the Torah. To teach others to
break even the least of these commandments would result in being called the
least in the kingdom of God. This is one example of what can happen when
teaching others to break God's Torah. God did not say they will
lose their salvation, but they will still pay a price. God help those who are teaching others to
break the larger Torah commandments. By the way the least of the commandments
is mentioned in Deut. 22:6-7. It was forbidden to take the mother bird and her
offspring at the same time for food. Later this was also taught that you could
not even take the eggs or offspring in front of the mother bird. This showed
God's compassion to ease the anguish of animals when they lose their young. The
last part of Yeshua's teaching here says that if you do and teach the Torah,
you shall be great in the kingdom of God. Let us be careful not to
condemn the Torah as so many have and teach it instead.
Remember that Yeshua was an observant Jew. He was sinless. If he violated any part of Torah he would not have been sinless and thus could not be the Lamb of God. Yeshua followed the Torah perfectly!” – Law vs. Grace by Rev. Allan Moorehead
Remember that Yeshua was an observant Jew. He was sinless. If he violated any part of Torah he would not have been sinless and thus could not be the Lamb of God. Yeshua followed the Torah perfectly!” – Law vs. Grace by Rev. Allan Moorehead
V.19 Whosoever
therefore shall break (Greek: to loose or
destroy) one of the least commandments (according to the ancient rabbis,
Deuteronomy 22:6 is the least of all commandments, concerning the disturbance
of a birds nest), and teaches men so… (“Ah, go ahead, it’s alright,
we’re not under the Law anymore, but under Grace.”) …he shall be called the
least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall DO and TEACH; the same
shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Verse 20: For I say unto you that except your
righteousness … (Not the righteousness of Messiah bestowed upon a believer,
but YOUR righteousness, meaning your works!)… shall exceed the righteousness of
the scribes and Pharisees… (Performing all the commandments with ALL your heart
and mean it! Not only on the outside,
but on the inside as well)… you will in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven. Verse
20 of Matthew chapter 5 mentions righteousness and connects it with works. Although we are not saved by works,
but by faith in Messiah's sacrificial death in our place, we must prove, show,
and back up our faith by our faith-full-ness to His Torah. Speaking of Torah, Yeshua said in John
5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, (The Living Torah)
for he wrote about Me. But if you do not
believe his writings, how will you believe My words (Which are no different
from the Written Torah)?”
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My
commandments.” Messiah and ADONAI are
One (Jn.17) so Yeshua’s commandments are no different from GOD the
Father’s. So Yeshua did not teach
anything new, He just taught Torah, and taught us how to live it
correctly.
James 1:22 “Be DOERS of the WORD (Torah)
and not hearers only…” v25b “…a DOER of the word, this man will be blessed in
his deed.” (Deut.27-28) James 2:17-18 “Even so FAITH, if it hath not WORKS is
dead being alone. Yes, a man may say, “You have faith, I have works: show me
your faith without works, and I will show you my faith BY my works.””
Yeshua and all the Apostles were Torah observant, and because Yeshua was
Torah observant, I don’t have to ask myself, W.W.J.D? (What Would Jesus Do?) I simply D.W.Y.D.! (Do What Yeshua Did!)
· He was
circumcised. Lk. 12:21
· He was dedicated
and named at his circumcision. Lk. 2:22-24,39-40
· He kept the Feasts
of the LORD. Lk. 2:4, 9:28 -36 Jn. 10:22-23
· He was trained in
Torah. Lk. 2:46-52
· He was “mikvahed”
(baptized). Mt. 3:13-17
· He kept the true Sabbath. Lk.4:14-21
· He went to the Temple
· He went to the
Synagogue. Lk. 4:16,44
· He read and taught
a portion of the annual Torah and prophetic reading cycle. (Parashat) Lk.
4:14-21
· He most likely
prayed the ancient set of Jewish prayers, prayed 3times a day, and called the
“Amidah” meaning, “To stand.” He refers
to this very prayer in Mark 11:25-26, “When you STAND to pray....”
· He said the Shema,
the Jewish declaration of ADONAI’s Oneness that is said every day by faithful
Jews, from Duet. 6:4, Mark 12:29, 30.
· He was a
Rabbi. Lk. 10:25-28, Jn. 20:16
· He taught
Torah. Lk. 24:44-45
· He wore tzitzit
(fringes). Lk. 8:43-44, Jn. 19:23-24
· He kept
Torah. Jn. 15:10
· He taught us to
live out Torah. Mt. 5:17-20, Jn. 14:15,
Lk. 5:14
· He lived and died
as a Jew. Jn. 20:6-8, 19:40
· He left as a
Jew. Lk. 24:50-51
· He is returning
as a Jew. Rev. 19:13,16
· He will reign
forever as the Jewish Messiah.
Rev.21:1-6, 22:3-5
There were two schools of Jewish thought, the school of Hillel and the
school of Shami. Hillel was
conservative. Shami was ultra
conservative. Yeshua sided with Hillel
and agreed with everything the Pharisees (which was from the school of Hillel)
taught, except on the issue of divorce, (Mt. 19:1-9) and the issue of
tradition, oral torah and rabbinic law, which at times nullified the Torah (Mk.
7:1-13). Yeshua even kept traditions
except when it conflicted with Torah itself (Lk. 2:52). During the “Last Supper” Messiah held a
Passover Seder for His Talmidim (disciples) and made the traditional
blessings over the tirosh (nonalcoholic grape juice) and matzah, (for everything
even the wine was without yeast or leaven) and followed the traditional order
of the Passover Seder haggadah (the program and order of the Seder).
All of the Apostles were Torah observant; all His followers were Torah
observant as well. Let’s take a look.
Acts 21:20 talks about how
they were all ZEALOUS for the TORAH!
Jim Myers has this to say concerning the early Jewish believers in
Messiah Yeshua, from his article, “Would Your Church Really Allow You To Be
Like Jesus?” Found at: http://www.biblicalheritage.org/Jesus/would.htm
“The book of Acts provides us with some very valuable
information. Acts 21:17-25 records
Paul's return to Jerusalem and his meeting with the leaders of the
"church." Keep in mind that these were the men who had been
personally taught by and lived with Jesus. Their words provide us with some
very enlightening information. The translation given below is based on a
cultural and historical methodology. Your translation most probably reflects
the doctrines of the Roman church and therefore may differ.
"You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have become faithful (observant). All of them are zealous for the Torah (Law). They have been informed that you have taught the Jews of the Diaspora to not keep the Torah, that they should not circumcise their children or live according to the Jewish religion.... Take these men and do the following... so that everybody will know that there is no truth in these reports about your teachings, but that you yourself are living an observant lifestyle and keeping the Torah."
"You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have become faithful (observant). All of them are zealous for the Torah (Law). They have been informed that you have taught the Jews of the Diaspora to not keep the Torah, that they should not circumcise their children or live according to the Jewish religion.... Take these men and do the following... so that everybody will know that there is no truth in these reports about your teachings, but that you yourself are living an observant lifestyle and keeping the Torah."
A quick summary provides us with some very significant
information. Is your church producing the same results?
(1) Jews became more faithful (observant) Jews because of the message.
(2) They became zealous for the Torah (Law).
(3) They kept the Laws of Moses (the Torah).
(4) They circumcised their children.
(5) They lived according to the traditions (Jewish religion).
Notice that Paul did as he was requested - he wasn't teaching the Jews to abandon their religion. Paul was "under the law" and lived an observant lifestyle. How then could he have been the author of a doctrine that advocated rejecting the law?
I don't mean to linger on this point forever, but are you really getting the importance of this message?
(1) The message of the apostles caused Jews to repent and become observant Jews who practiced Judaism faithfully.
(2) The apostles were causing Jews to become eager for the Torah and to pursue it with fervor. It is clear that they were not teaching them that "they were under grace and no longer under the law." This one point is in complete opposition to most fundamental teaching of every modern Christian doctrine.
(3) The Jewish members of the early church continued to circumcise their children. In other words, they continued to see themselves as participants in the Abrahamic Covenant, just as every practicing Jew does today. Their children were Jews, not members of some new mystical religion that replaced Judaism.
(4) The Jewish members of the early church continued to practice Judaism. They did not switch to a new religion.”
(1) Jews became more faithful (observant) Jews because of the message.
(2) They became zealous for the Torah (Law).
(3) They kept the Laws of Moses (the Torah).
(4) They circumcised their children.
(5) They lived according to the traditions (Jewish religion).
Notice that Paul did as he was requested - he wasn't teaching the Jews to abandon their religion. Paul was "under the law" and lived an observant lifestyle. How then could he have been the author of a doctrine that advocated rejecting the law?
I don't mean to linger on this point forever, but are you really getting the importance of this message?
(1) The message of the apostles caused Jews to repent and become observant Jews who practiced Judaism faithfully.
(2) The apostles were causing Jews to become eager for the Torah and to pursue it with fervor. It is clear that they were not teaching them that "they were under grace and no longer under the law." This one point is in complete opposition to most fundamental teaching of every modern Christian doctrine.
(3) The Jewish members of the early church continued to circumcise their children. In other words, they continued to see themselves as participants in the Abrahamic Covenant, just as every practicing Jew does today. Their children were Jews, not members of some new mystical religion that replaced Judaism.
(4) The Jewish members of the early church continued to practice Judaism. They did not switch to a new religion.”
Further examples
of the Torah observant lifestyle of the apostles:
Kefa (Peter) – prayed Mincha (afternoon) prayers and he kept a kosher diet
(Acts 10).
Rav Sha’ul (Paul) – said “I am (not was) a Pharisee…” He kept the traditions and customs of the
Jewish people (Acts 23:5-6, 28:17).
He made a sacrificial offering at the Temple after Yeshua’s death and
resurrection (Acts 21:17-26).
One day the Temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will resume. During the millennial reign of Messiah,
everyone will keep the Feasts (Isa.66:22-24).
Yeshua said He didn’t come for the ones who were already keeping Torah, He
came for the ones who did not keep Torah (Mt. 9:9-13, Mk. 2:13-17, Lk. 5:27-32).
These are but a few examples.
Daniel 7:25 is
giving a description of the Anti (against or another)-Messiah.
“He shall speak great words against the Most High (How? By
speaking against His Words, His Torah!) and shall wear out the saints of the
Most High and think to change TIMES (the Feast of the LORD, Lev. 23) and
LAWS (Torah) (Forbidding Sabbath
observance and Biblical Festivals, and enforcing Christianized pagan holidays,
like Christmas and Easter just like the “Christian” Roman Emperor Constantine
did!), and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the
dividing of times.”
How many Catholics and Christians today is Torah observant? How many keep all of the Feasts commanded by the
LORD in Leviticus 23? Almost none! Most Catholics and Christians keep Sunday,
not Sabbath. Most Catholics and
Christians go by a Roman solar calendar, instead of the traditional Hebrew
lunar one. Most Catholics and Christians
keep pagan rooted holidays (Christmas and Easter etc.) instead of the Feasts of
the LORD.
The Anti-Messiah (Anti-Christ) is called the man of lawlessness or we
could say, Torahlessness (2 Thess. 2:3-12). Because of this, I believe many
Catholics and Christians will be deceived. He will agree with the majority of
Catholicism and Christianity and say that the Torah has been done away with.
Remember, sin is anything against the Torah (I Jn.3:4), God’s standards for
holiness.
Matthew 24:24 tells that the Anti-Messiah (if it were possible will
deceive the very elect!). He will not show up with horns, pitchfork, pointed
tail, with 666 blazing across his forehead.
He could not fool anyone like that.
No, he will look just like the “Jesus” of Catholicism and Christianity, working
miracles, making peace everywhere, changing laws and holy day observances,
making Temple
Matthew 5:17-20 paints the TRUE picture of the Messiah, that
non-believing Jews NEED and MUST see!
Are you “Taking The LORD’s Name in vain” by living like the Catholic and
Christian “Jesus”, contrary to His Word, Thus soiling His Name? Or, are you living like Yeshua, the Jewish,
Torah observant Messiah? Will you, “Let
your light so shine before men, that they may SEE YOUR good WORKS, and glorify
your Father in heaven (Mt.5:16)?”
So, is “Jesus” the Anti-Christ?
Well, that depends on how YOU present Him.
So what is the Jewish Messiah REALLY like? Let’s take a look...
