It just seems that you are saying that what Yeshua became after the resurrection is what makes him special. It seems to deny that he was before his birth and that his being has always been far more than just a man, or that he has always been at the right hand of the Father.

I’m just trying to find what you yourself are saying. And I have not yet found that in previous posts.

I think this may be part of what Eaglewood is also searching thru – though I cannot speak for him.

Again, thanks for your time.

Yeshua was born special. But he was born -and lived – as a man. He became something much more.

His name is no longer Yeshua. That was his name when he was “just” a man. He’s now been elevated and been given a name above every name.

He came to pave a way for us who were really are “just” men to become something greater.

Yeshua was the second Adam, born of a virgin and without sin. He came into the world for two purposes. The first – and most important – was obviously to redeem us from the curse.

The second was to teach us how to properly live by faith. Were it not for that purpose, he could have been crucified many years before he was. He lived for thirty years before his three years of ministry and then death, resurrection and ascension.

He’s no longer known as Yeshua. He’s been given a name that is above every name and at that name every knee must bow. (Unlike the fallen, we get to choose whether we do it now or later.) He’s seated at the right hand of the Father and is the first born among many brethren. I’m a “joint-heir” with him according to Paul. The New Testament is his last will and testament – a will that leaves everything to those who believe in him.

You and I are the heirs of that testament. It’s our job to learn how to execute the estate.

Both of your comments leave me with a question of you both. Who is Yeshua? Are you both saying that he was just a man – a very important man, but just a man?

“I worship Him because knowing Him inspires it. It’s the only natural response to His Love.”

Our faith originates in relationship is shown through relationship. But every relationship has “rules” or parameters which define the commitment level of those involved. I adore my G-d, my Father, my KIng, my Brother and my closest Friend. I show that adoration by seeking to live in a way that makes Him happy. It’s not bondage because unless the Spirit strengthens me, I can’t do anything anyway! And except Yeshua covers me it’s all “filthy rags”.

Obedience is better than sacrifice and yes, love trumps all. (thought I’d throw in a cards analogy for you). But love prompts obedience and obedience reinforces love. It’s a pretty cool circle.

(Is that gentle enough?)

I’m not quite sure where you disagreed with me at all. Maybe I’m dense. You did say:

I’m not worried about the stuff which doesn’t apply to me. I’m not worried about the stuff that does. If G-d requires something of me, it’s His job to both equip and strengthen me to accomplish His goals.

Unless I misunderstood you, that’s a much more elegant way of saying what I was stumbling around: It all grows out of relationship. Without a relationship the rules are just bondage. With relationship, the rules are unnecessary.

I also thought immediately of Isa. 1:19 when I read that paragraph. That’s all He needs.

That’s where religious people miss it and why I believe religion is nothing more than satanic distraction. Religion is obsessed with Isa. 1:20. It misrepresents my Daddy and that makes me angry.

At the root of every religion is fear. They try to convince everyone that my Daddy has a “mean side.” Religion skips the word “willing” and focuses on “obedient” in 1:19 and then “drops the hammer” with 1:20.

It’s a lie. The enemy works in fear. The God I serve works in love.

Religion is the worst manifestation of gossip. It’s also ignorant deception.

“According to the Hebrew text (which I have and have also read) it starts with the commandment to “Yahweh”

Should READ: According to the Hebrew text (which I have and have also read) the commandments start with a declaration:“Yahweh…

I”m really not a moron. Really.

Simply. All means all or it doesn’t mean jack. Now, in light of that, please understand I am not discussing Salvation. That only came through blood. Ever. With the blood of the Perfect Sacrifice, Yeshua, physical sacrifice of lambs, doves and bulls became non-essential. And as there is no Temple, an impossibility. One of the ways Judaism was unique from the pagan cultures of Moses’ time was that they could sacrifice on any hilltop they found and under any tree. According to Torah only the High Priest could offer a sacrifice for Atonement on the bronze altar at the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Now, for the other issues. I like to say there are Ten Commandments and 603 suggestions. Many of the “suggestions” are embedded within any litigious society. (I know, don’t pull the anarchy card.) Things like “pay your workers on time”, “be good to your slaves”, “feed your animals” are part and parcel of any civilized community. The one that hits closer to home is “love your neighbor as yourself”.

What we don’t often see is the Big Ten, The Commandments, don’t start with “Have no other gods before Me.” According to the Hebrew text (which I have and have also read) it starts with the commandment to “Yahweh, the Lord Your G-d”. Yahweh (the supreme name of G-d) followed by the “et” which is the unwritten name of G-d and shown by the Aleph Tav (loosely in Greek Alpha Omega). G-d, in all His Glory is All and He is the One who “brought you out”. So, apparently the Prime Directive, as it were, is to remember He is Supreme and our Deliverer. Our Salvation. Yeshua? (as the rest of that particular verse details).

But in light of a growing faith, what is our response to Him? What can we offer to Him that pleases Him? To live according to the manner He prescribes. Love the Lord your G-d with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. To keep those two commandments, as voiced by Yeshua, will by the very nature of the obedience also ensure you are also following the heart of all the Torah and the Prophets. You cannot love G-d and call His Name in vain, bow before other gods, and so on. You cannot love your neighbor and dishonor, lie to, steal from and covet. Those don’t encapsulate love.

We read 10-15 mitzvot (commandments) from Torah every night and discuss them with our children. Do you know what we are discovering? We are finding we don’t need to reinvent the wheel or wonder about situational ethics. We have a G-d who is wise enough to see the end from the beginning and He knows every situation we will ever face. He also knows every temptation we will be challenged by and through His wisdom and clear instruction provides many ways of escape by simply warning us of the pitfalls and consequences ahead of time.

I can’t “fulfill” Torah. I’m not a man, I’m not a Levite, I’m not a priest and I’m not Yeshua. There are specific directions given for all of the above that I am simply never going to have to think about. I can’t go to the Temple for this or that sacrifice.

I’m not worried about the stuff which doesn’t apply to me. I’m not worried about the stuff that does. If G-d requires something of me, it’s His job to both equip and strengthen me to accomplish His goals.

I just have to be available and willing to be used. Malleable.

And thusly ends the epistle of Heidi tonight!

Pick me apart. Be gentle.