Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Was Yeshua Successful? Part 6

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We started this series a few weeks ago and have had the first five parts to date. Today we start a new phase. So far we have "set the table" with discussions of some foundational issues. Yet the question remains, "Was Yeshua successful?" Our original proposition was to offer four of the many possible purposes for His coming to earth 2,000 years ago. Now, let's study each one in turn, with a wrap up when we're done. Even so, the best I can do is provide some "broad stroke" answers.

Purpose #1. Yeshua's intentions were to bring the kingdom of God back to earth. (It left at the fall of Adam.)

Answer: John the Baptist (who was Jewish, and not the first baptist) proclaimed this message. Matthew 3:2 Turn away from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near! He meant separate yourself from sin because the kingdom of heaven is available to you. Following His baptism by John, Yeshua proclaimed similarly in His adopted hometown of Capernaum ... Matthew 4:17 From then on, Yeshua began to proclaim, "Turn away from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Please follow my line of thinking here ...

Question: Where is the kingdom of heaven?

Answer: Any place the Lord is made King.

Question: And how is He made King?
Answer: When He is obeyed immediately and without question.

Disobedience to God is sin. Obedience to God is being without sin. Some people may be expecting a utopia, you know, peace on earth, good will toward men. Clearly, we don't have that today. But, what we do have is Yeshua's example of obedience to the Father.

Matthew 5:17-18 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.

Yeshua brought something new and something better. Not that we would love each other, but that we would do it as He did it. John 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another.

So far I've been quoting from the New Testament, but there is nothing new in the New Testament. In John 13 (as quoted above), Yeshua summarized most of Leviticus 19 in just a few words. The rabbis know from the Hebrew Scriptures that there are both Mashiach Ben Yoseph (Messiah Son of Joseph, the suffering Servant), and Mashiach Ben David (Messiah Son of David, the reigning King).

There is a discussion of this in the Talmud. The majority opinion is that there must be two messiahs. The minority opinion proposes one Messiah Who comes twice. Sadly, this correct assessment is dismissed. Here are two proof texts from the Hebrew Scriptures.

Psalms 22, 23, & 24 form a trilogy of the past (first coming), present (current now), and future (second coming) of the Messiah. Compare Psalm 22 and Psalm 24. Of course, Isaiah 53 speaks of the suffering servant. But then we arrive at Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come! The glory of Adonai has risen on you.

Children of Israel, I call your spirits to attention. Open your eyes and see, open your ears and hear. By faith, receive the healing of your soul offered by the only One Who has the power to make you whole. The message has not changed. Our God is on the throne. Mark 1:15 "Now is the fullness of time," He said, "and the kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins, and believe in the Good News!"