It’s Not What You Think – It’s What You Do
Lesson Zero
Greek vs. Hebraic
“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have [be] life, and that they may have [be] it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.’”
John 10:7-11
Symbolism vs. Substance
Throughout history, there have been 2 basic ways to think – G-d’s way, and the world’s way. G-d wants His people to think His way.
The world’s way of thinking was formalized in the classical Greek era. The love of philosophy and pursuit of knowledge for knowledge’s sake, characterizes this way of thinking. “Right thoughts” exceed achievement in “Greek” thinking. Symbolism is superior to action. This is also called “Western thinking” – or “enlightened thinking”.
G-d’s way is the opposite – actions must follow thoughts. Good intentions only matter when they are carried out. Since each book of the Bible was either written in Hebrew, or was scribed by a Jew, so the Hebrew language offers a perspective on the right way of thinking – because Hebrew is a uniquely ACTION oriented language – virtually all the words are verb based. Although not all “Hebrews” think correctly, the use of the language in Scripture compels us toward action.
In this course we will be focusing on actions which must follow intentions. We will be “thinking Hebraically”. Note: When you read or hear “Hebraic” – think “Biblical thinking” – when you read or hear “Greek” (or “Western”), think “worldly thinking”.
The Bible is a book of pictures and symbols, that if left in nice thoughts become the opposite of what G-d intends – He intends us to take the pictures and to live them – to live an abundant life!
Whose Life Is It, Anyway?
John 10:7-11 is often used to promote the “Abundant Life” that comes from “living the life of a believer”. This “I’m OK, You’re OK” thinking has some significant faults.
In the phrase, “they may have it [life] more abundantly” the word “abundantly” is not an adverb as it appears – it is an adjective. It is not describing the quantity of life – but the quality of life.
This passage tells us something about this life:
It is “spirit life” – not just lifestyle (zoe = the essence of life)
It is because Jesus came
It comes to those who enter (and go out) “the Door” - Jesus
Purchased with Jesus’ life (psuche = soul life – self sacrifice)
The abundant life mentioned here is not our life – it is Jesus’
Matthew 10:38-39 conveys this same truth – we are to exchange our lives for His life. All our being will be affected by that exchange. It is not a passive thing – it is ACTIVE.
Life from Beyond
The word “abundantly” from John 10:10 is the Greek word perissos, which means “exceeding”, “abundant”, etc. The root word for this is peran, which means “from beyond”, or “from the other side”.
This fits well with what we have seen in John 10. The life offered is not simply a “better” life – or even a “new life” – it is a life from beyond. A life of “other worldliness”.
It is close in definition to the meaning of the word “Hebrew”.
Genesis 14:13: Abram is described as a “Hebrew”. This is the word ivri. It means, “one who has crossed over”, or “one from beyond”.
This life is not merely a life given to those who share the faith of Abraham – it is that Abraham also shared in this life from beyond – it is Jesus’ life.
Life in the Blood
Genesis 9:4 says, “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” Right in the beginning G-d connects “life” and “blood”. G-d does not do this simply in concepts – He makes commanding statements that reinforce this thought by telling the people what to do. So, a principle is reinforced by a command – a living picture.
G-d gave this command to Noah in Genesis 9:4.
He gave it through Moses in Deuteronomy 12:23.
He repeated it in Acts 15:29 as instructions to believing Gentiles.
In each of these instances, we see a important spiritual insight and foreshadowing of what Jesus’ atoning blood would do for those who would “enter” the “Door” – give them ABUNDANT LIFE – His life. What is key is that the spiritual concept was not simply something to read – but something to do. The doing of what G-d proclaimed is in fact a type of prophecy each time it is done.
So What Does Jesus’ Life Look Like?
“In His Steps” by Charles Shelton is an old book – but it was recently revived with the popularization of the phrase, “What Would Jesus Do?” Few consider the ACTIONS of Jesus when asking this question. Normally, we think about what kind of “person” He was – and possibly what He said – but do we really seek to know what He did and does?
Jesus lived a perfect life – and this is what is given to His “sheep”.
What did it look like?
Leviticus 18:4-5: This passage shouts ACTION. The verbs “walk” and “do” picture plodding, consistent living – but not to GAIN a life not ours – but to reflect Jesus’ life.
Life here is chai – the very essence of life. The Hebrew reveals something interesting: ya’aseh otam ha-Adam vachai bahem – “doing them is the life of the Adam”. The definite article “the” connects Leviticus 18:5 to John 10:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:22
1 Corinthians 15:22: Jesus does not merely restore the Adamic life – it is the original!
Summary
We are going to dig in and see what we can learn – and then do.
If all we do is add to our knowledge, we will not only not gain – we will lose – this is Greek thinking (worldly). Let’s think Hebraically (Biblically) – let’s think and then do.
You shall observe [asah=do] My judgments [mishpatim] and keep [shamar=treasure]
My ordinances, to walk [halak=follow] in them: I am the L-rd
your G-d. You shall therefore keep [shamar=treasure] My statutes [chokot]
and My judgments [mishpatim], which if a man does [asah], he
shall live [chai] by them: I am the L-rd. Leviticus 18:4-5