Introduction and Review: Knowing Messiah
Introduction
- We have studied the first 10 chapters of Matthew with the goal of looking at them in a more historical way – to try to see Yeshua in a way that begins to minimize our own theological biases.
- Seeing a “historical Yeshua” is of no value if there is no relationship, or improvement of relationship. We need to continue to strive to “know” Him. Not in a Greek, “informational” way – but in a Hebraic relational way. Greek thinking might want to know about Yeshua. The Hebraic way is to walk with Yeshua. To walk as He walked, to talk as He talked. To be His true talmidim [disciples].
- How can we know Him?
On the Road
- Luke 24:13-31: Two disciples who had lived with Him for 3 years, still did not recognize Him. Experience is not enough!
- 24:25: Their problem was unbelief in the TaNaKh.
- 24:27: “…beginning at Moses and all the Prophets…”
- The Scriptures were more than “information” about Messiah.
- Rom 10:16-17: Faith comes by hearing (heeding) – hearing by Scripture.
- Luke 24:31-32: When their “eyes were opened” by Scripture, they knew Him.
- Seeing ≠ Believing
- Hearing/Living Scripture brings believing.
Messiah and Torah
- Matt 5:17-19: Not to abolish – to bring to fullness.
- Luke 16:31: A standard of faith is believing “Moses”.
- John 5:45-46: Torah points to Messiah.
- Rom 10:4-5: Messiah is the goal of Torah.
“For Messiah is the [telos = goal] of the Torah for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the Torah, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’” Romans 10:4-5
“You shall observe My misphatim [judgments] and shamar [keep] My chokot [statutes], to walk in them: I am HaShem your G-d. You shall therefore shamar [keep] My chokot [statutes] and My misphatim [judgments], which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am HaShem.’” Leviticus 18:5 (xref Hab 2:4: “the just shall live by faith”)
“And HaShem commanded us to observe all these chokim [statutes], to fear HaShem our G-d, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.” Deut 6:25
Review of Chapters 1-10
- Chapter One: We saw the genealogy of Yeshua, and His birth. The focus was His miraculous birth as the Promised One – the Messiah. We saw that as the “Son of David”, He was to be known as King Messiah. We saw that as “Immanuel” [“G-d with us”], Yeshua's reign as King Messiah was to be seen as a return of the Throne of Israel (and the world) to G-d. (Matt 1:22 quotes Is 7:14)
- Chapter Two: We saw the continued presentation of Yeshua as “Prophet, Priest, and King”. Allusions to Moses, King David, and the Tabernacle priests were clearly seen. (Matt 2:5 = Micah 5:1; 2:14 = Hos 11:1; 2:17 = Jer 31:15; 2:22 = Is 11:1)
- Chapter Three: We saw the immersion of Yeshua. We saw that t’vilah [immersion] was not something new, but something very much a part of their lives in the First Century. We saw that t’vilah [immersion] represents a “change in status”. Our introduction to it showed a direct connection to repentance, and the Kingdom message. (3:1 = Is 40:3; 3:13 = Is 10:1)
- Chapter Four: The temptation of Yeshua was seen as an attack upon the Person of G-d – and repeated offers of shortcuts to the mission of Messiah. Yeshua answered each temptation with quotes from Torah. Each time, using the phrase, “it is written”.
- Chapter Five: We saw that Yeshua began His ministry by choosing talmidim [disciples] – and then as every good master does, He taught them Torah. This “sermon on the mount” was focused not on how one “gets into” the Kingdom of G-d – but upon how Kingdom people act - on how they live. Yeshua made it clear to His talmidim [disciples] that He was not abolishing the Torah and the Prophets – but rather making them “stand up” in His teaching.
- Chapter Six: We saw that in Yeshua's continuation of the “sermon on the mount”, He focused upon the externals of religion. His focus was to show that Kingdom people were not only to be visibly righteous in their lives, but also that such living came from hearts that had been turned back to G-d – and were seeking His Kingdom.
- Chapter Seven: We saw that fruit is an important element for Kingdom people. We saw first that we were not to judge without using G-d’s judgment and mercy – and that to turn a blind eye to our neighbor’s sin was not love at all. We were told that the Kingdom was made up of the wise – the ones who hear Yeshua's words and do them.
- Chapter Eight: In the miracles of chapter eight and nine, we saw that they were not simply signs and wonders, but specifically chosen for what they meant. We saw the repeated picture of Yeshua reaching into the world of people who were tamei [unclean] by G-d’s standards – and because of that separated from the public fellowship with G-d at the Temple. (8:16 = Is 53:1)
- Chapter Nine: We saw Yeshua healing and forgiving sin. This action was seen as a claim to Deity, and so it became a division between Yeshua and some of the religious leaders of the day. We saw that Yeshua had not chosen the wise and learned men to be His talmidim [disciples], not the scholars – and He did not make them scholars. Because they had been with Him, they would be shown to be the wisest of men.
- Chapter Ten: Yeshua intended His talmidim [disciples] to be imitators of Him. To speak what He spoke. To act like He acted. To pray like He prayed. He expected them to preach His Kingdom message the same as He did. We saw that He sent them out to do just that – but only to the people of Israel. He sent them in groups of two to act as witnesses to either the acceptance, or rejection of Yeshua's Kingdom message.
Summary
- As we move into the next 9 chapters, do not forget the connection to TaNaKh. Matthew is making a point – it is more than “information” about Messiah, it is about relationship.