Musing- Are We Really to Hate Our Father and Mother?

Hebraic Musing- Are We Really to Hate Our Father and Mother?

Jesus is quoted as saying "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'”  Matt. 5:43 NIV    And even more surprisingly, Jesus actually said (through biblical translation) "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26   

Didn’t it bother you when you read that Jesus actually told us to “Hate” someone?  And especially since to hate our parents would be direct violation of a key commandment – “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Ex 20:12 

As usual, the answer is in a misunderstanding due to translation problems AND a big difference between Hebrew-think vs. the Greek-think in our Western culture and of Bible translators.  See a more complete explanation below.**

The word “Hate(d)” is from the Greek NT:3404 to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:  I have found that if I substitute “to love less”, many verses make a lot more sense.  For example, “Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’" in Romans 9:13 where Paul referenced Malachi 1:3.  Considering Esau’s many blessings it is clear that God loved Esau and bestowed on him many blessings, but Jacob received the blessing of lineage.

Matthew has a better way of conveying those messages.  "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;…”  Matt 10:37   Matthew clearly recognized Jesus’ intention, the need to love Him more! 

Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg* described it this way – “Did Jesus call upon people to stop honoring their parents?  Most definitely not!  The Messiah did, however, call His followers to a life of radical discipleship and overwhelming love for Him, such that even their very great love for their own parents would seem pale and weak by comparison.”

Seems to me that Jesus is stressing the first commandment - "You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex 20:3 (which He also wrote!)

Points to ponder

The Bible says “love your neighbor as yourself” 10 time in the NIV Bible.
How much do you love yourself?

How can we possibly love Jesus even more than ourselves!?!?!?
Start with “Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Deut. 6:5   Matt. 22:37   Mark 12:30    Luke 10:27

 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,…”  Matt 6:33

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          August 27, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from “Jewish Insights Into Scripture” by Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, p.14

** Greek-think deals with contrasts – Yes or No; Good or Evil; Holy or Satanic; Religious or Secular; either Law or Grace; Light or Dark; Blessed or Cursed; Hot or Cold, Either/Or…   
Whereas Hebrew-think does not deal with contrasts, but rather with “is or isn’t”; Holy or Unholy; Have or have not; Light or no light; Hot or not hot; Blessed or not blessed; Good or not good;…  

Musing - Why did Jesus say “The Kingdom of God is near”?

Hebraic Musing - Why did Jesus say “The Kingdom of God is near”?

Right after Jesus experienced his 40 days in the desert with Satan and “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:14-15  NIV    After announcing that God’s time had finally come; what did Jesus mean when He said "The kingdom of God is near.”?  Is this good news for us today?

When we hear the word “kingdom,” we tend to think of a place or area over which a king, or ruler, rules.  But, in Hebrew as-well-as Aramaic, the primary language of Jesus, the word we translate as “kingdom” refers not so much to the “place” of royal rule as it does to the “ruling” or “Realm” of rule.  So, when we read “kingdom” in Mark, we might substitute “rule” or “reign” or “sovereign authority.”  To rephrase Jesus statement, it could read “The rule or reign of God is near”.  Jesus is pointing out that He represents the coming of God’s authority and power which is to reign over us!

Effectively, Jesus was saying that He was fulfilling the role of the messenger of Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’"

I used to think that Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom being near meant something like, “Someday soon I may die and then go to God’s kingdom in heaven.”  I thought His good news related to what happens after death.  Instead, maybe more importantly, it has everything to do with this life and this world.  Was I missing what Jesus was trying to say? 

In other words, through His Son, Jesus, God was beginning to reign on earth in a new way, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.  Therefore under God’s sovereign authority, righteousness could and should now triumph over injustice for me/us while we live here on earth.  Through Christ, you and I can and should live each day under the reign of God.

Mark Roberts*  concluded his blog with these words – “When we seek God’s agenda for our lives, when we work for his purposes and glory, when we bow before him in worship and offer our daily work to him as worship, we are experiencing the kingdom of God.  God is reigning over us and making his kingdom present on earth through us.”

Points to ponder

In what ways do you experience God’s reign in your life?

If you realized you were living under God’s reign all day, might that make a difference?

We serve an Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God!   

A Prayer*

Thank you Jesus, that the kingdom of God is near; and that you are not only announcing the presence of God’s reign, but also proclaiming that reign through your ministry.  Thank you most of all for providing us with the opportunity to live in God’s Realm because of your life, death, and resurrection.  Help me, Lord, to live each moment ruled by the King of kings.  Guide me, empower me and use me for your purposes.  May the reality of your kingdom be real in my life each and every day.  Amen.

♫ Our God Reigns, Our God Reigns… ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          August 20, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from “The Kingdom of God has come near” By Mark Roberts. Aug.5, 2019

Musing – Does Christian Maturity Require Theological Triage?

Hebraic Musing – Does Christian Maturity Require Theological Triage?

We Christians face a daunting task of strategizing which Christian doctrines and theological issues are to be given highest priority, critically important.  Christianity is under attack on many fronts by a sinful, rebellious, secular world as-well-as from squabbles within and between Churches and between denominations.  All that squabbling is viewed as a lack of unity to the un-churched world!  How to defend God’s truth in this contentious world?

Christianity needs to go to the Emergency Room!  There we see an environment in which Medical personnel are not afraid to ask critical questions in order to give top priority in terms of treatment to patients with the most critical needs.  “Triage” is needed to recognize that the scraped knee does not require the same urgency required of a gunshot wound to the chest.  Should we apply “triage” to doctrinal issues we face in Christianity?

First and highest level of critical theological issues would be the doctrines central and essential to Christian faith.  The crucial doctrines are (a) the Trinity, (b) the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, (c) justification by faith and (d) the authority of Scripture.  The earliest Church Councils dealt with these doctrines of unquestionable first-order importance.  Christianity stands or falls on these doctrines; and denial of any of these doctrines represents denial of Christianity itself.

Second order would be those doctrines which create disagreements deemed significant between believers which create boundaries.  Christians organize themselves into congregations and denominational differences which prevent or hinder fellowship with other Christians over doctrinal differences like (a) mode of baptism, (b) women as pastors, (c) role of tongues, and (d) use of musical instruments, etc. 

Third-order issues are doctrines over which Christians may disagree but remain in close fellowship, even within the local church!  For example, do all your close Christian friends share your view on eschatology, role of communion, textual interpretations, respect for Israel, tithing, etc.?  But you still enjoy fellowshipping together and studying God’s Word together trying to harmonize even when these third-order issues are questioned.

Liberalism generally originates from the error of disrespect for Biblical authority and the Church's historical treasury of truth.  Albert Mohler* said it this way - “The mark of true liberalism is the refusal to admit that first-order theological issues even exist.  Liberals treat first-order doctrines as if they were merely third-order in importance, and doctrinal ambiguity is the inevitable result.”

Fundamentalism has to avoid the opposite error.  Extreme fundamentalism might view all disagreements as first-order doctrines.  When third-order issues are raised to first-order importance, Christian unity becomes harmfully divided.  And the non-churched world sees dis-unity!  For shame!

In a Sunday service to a group of shut-ins I asked each to share their denominational background; and as each shared, I pointed out the strength of that denomination’s views.  Later, my son pointed out that I was merely pointing out the many and various characteristics and attributes of Our Almighty God.

We must sort these issues with a trained mind and a humble heart, in order to protect what the Apostle Paul called the "treasure" that has been entrusted to us

Points to ponder

Have you noticed that existence of second-order disagreements
preventing the closeness of fellowship and unity we should otherwise be enjoying?

What is the parallel between the local Church and the Emergency Room?

Your thoughts?   RSVP

“…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      August 13, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from  “A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity”  by Albert Mohler

Musing – Is Your Salvation Testimony Ready? On the tip of your tongue?

Hebraic Musing – Is Your Salvation Testimony Ready?  On the tip of your tongue?

Have you written out your Salvation Testimony?  Could you spontaneously deliver it?  Can you tell it in a 30 minute speech; in a two minute opportunity; or to someone in an elevator in 20 seconds?  Why might that important?  Let me propose a simple three part outline –
(1) What was the sinfulness I had to give up in my past life?   
(2) What did I experience when I made Jesus my Lord? 
(3) What’s my life with Jesus been like ever since that day?   

Paul had a three part testimony when he witnessed to King Agrippa in Acts 26.
(1) What was Paul’s past life?  "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus … I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them … I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. … I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” Acts 26:9-11  NIV
(2) What did Paul experience when he encountered Jesus?  "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus … as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, … I heard a voice saying …  'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?....'    Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'   'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting … Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you …  as a witness ….   the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes …, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” Acts 26:12-18
(3) What has Paul been doing since then?  "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”  Acts 26:19-20

The impact!?!?  Festus interrupted Paul's defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane.” Acts 26:24  And in  Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’"  We will learn the final result when we get to Heaven!   Interesting! “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” 1 Cor.1:18

Can you tell your testimony in a similar three part outline?  Why is it important to write it out?  A - So you are ready to deliver it whenever the Holy Spirit asks you to.  “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

When Jesus commanded us, he also empowered us.  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, ...”  Matthew 28:18-20

Other examples of the importance of our Testimony:  Acts 22 – Apostle Paul’s defense before the Jerusalem Mob.   Acts 7 – Stephen‘s address before his execution.   And in Mark 5:19 Jesus said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

Points to ponder

Have you ever shared your salvation testimony?   What happened?

Who do you know who needs to hear your testimony?  Who would relate to your past life?

In order to fulfill the “Great Commission” how might our personal salvation testimony help?

People disagree with my preaching; they even argue with my teaching;
BUT they cannot argue with my testimony.  It is real and it is the truth!

BTW - You can also “testify” about how God blessed you in a special way recently!

RSVP

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matt.10:32

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      August 6, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”