Musing – What does “Repent” really mean?

 Hebraic Musing – What does “Repent” really mean?

Early in the NT John the Baptist tells us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2 NIV   And in the very next chapter Jesus preached “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 

Our bible study leader asked – “What does Repent really mean?”  Some answers that initially came were:
  - Stop doing that evil thing.
  - Be sorry for what you did.
  - Stop and do penance (pay a penalty or do some work like saying three “Our Fathers”)
  - etc.

So, what has the word “repent” meant to you?

The Greek word is “metanoia”, which literally means “to change the mind.”  Repentance fundamentally means to change your mind about something.  It has to do with the way you think about something.  You’ve been thinking one way, but now you think the opposite way.  That’s repentance — the changing of the mind. 
μετανοέω = “to repent” — to change one’s mind/purpose, especially morally.
μετάνοια = “repentance” — the state of having changed one’s mind, recognizing and turning away from sin.
Etymology:  From meta- (“after, beyond, change”) + noieō (“to think, understand”)

Latin Origins - The word "repent" traces back to the Latin verb paenitēre, which means “to feel regret” or “to be sorry” and is related to the noun poena, meaning “penalty” or “punishment” (reflecting the idea of making amends for wrongdoing).  In Vulgar Latin, it appeared as paenitīre, and in Vulgar Latin as repaenitīre, incorporating the intensive prefix re- to emphasize deep regret. 

In the New Testament, the word “repent” is most often translated from the Greek verb μετανοέω (metanoeó),

Both the Greek and the Latin highlight the inward decision to live differently, rather than just external sorrow or ritual.

What does “Repent” really mean to us today?  There are two Hebrew words to help us understand repentance. The first is the word “nacham” which means to turn around or to change your mind.  The second is the word “sub” which  is used over 600 times in the Old Testament translated to words like “turn,” “return,” “seek,” or “restore.” You often see it in popular phrases like “to turn to the Lord with all your heart.”

The Hebrew word for repent is “teshuva” (תשובה), which means "to return." This term conveys a deeper meaning beyond mere regret; it signifies a return to God and a turning away from sin.  In a broader context, “teshuva” is often associated with the concept of seeking forgiveness and making amends.  “Teshuva” is a lot more than a feeling of guilt or regret.  It derives from the verb ‘to return’.  

First mention of “Repent” in the Bible – “and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy;” 1 Kings 8:47-50

To “repent” is to regret so deeply that it changes the mind or course of conduct and as a consequence one develops new mental and spiritual habits.

Points to ponder

Does “repent” mean more than just “being sorry”?

Are we to repent before or after our moment of salvation?

Which understanding recognizes that the work has already been done?  A - On the cross!

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd             September 22, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – Does Worry accomplish anything?

 Hebraic Musing – Does Worry accomplish anything?

Let’s see what our Lord’s Scripture has to say!  Jesus tells us to worry not!  “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

What value is there in worrying? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” 

Do we question the source of our faith, Jesus continues in v.31 – “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

What should we do instead… v.33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”   I wonder how many things we can’t control that we find ourselves worrying about?    Matthew 6:25-33  NKJV

And we get further advice from Apostle Paul.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
And Peter reminds us to rely on Jesus.  “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 
I want to sing a song I grew up with.  ♫ “Cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you.” ♫

How many of us feel inadequate to deal with some issues?  If so – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8    How many times does God’s Word tell us to simply “ASK”?   A – Over 60x in the NT.

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, but then she was distracted when her sister, Mary, spent time with Jesus. “And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41

Psalm 13 “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”
Then in v.5&6 the psalmist sees his/our answer!  “But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”   Thus, the Psalmist finally recognized who is in charge!  And he is advised by the Lord to simply “trust” in the Lord!  

♫ Trust and obey, For there's no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey. ♫

Points to ponder

What burdens am I carrying that God has invited me to cast on to Him?

Am I spending more time rehearsing my fears than remembering God’s promises?

Is my mind divided between trusting God and fearing the future?

What specific concern can I surrender to Christ today?

♫  “Why worry when you can pray.  Trust Jesus, He’ll show you the way. Don’t be doubting Thomas,
         Rest fully on His promise, Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray?” ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              September 15, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by Pastor Randy Jackson’s message 7/22/26 at King’s Community Church, Seligman, MO.

Hebraic Musing – How might an unmarried person have an advantage?

 Hebraic Musing – How might an unmarried person have an advantage?

Genesis 1:22 provides God’s first commandment to us, His children.  “Be fruitful and multiply”; but then His counsel takes an unusual twist in 1 Corinthians 7:34 where the Bible discusses the difference between the devotional concerns of a married person and an unmarried person, particularly their desire to devote themselves to the Lord.  Here are some verses to ponder:

1 Corinthians 7:32 says that “He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.” NKJV    And a little later, Paul tells us why!  “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.” 1 Corinth. 7:35    Does that imply that when we are married, we are distracted from serving the Lord?!?!  Well, having been delightfully married twice, I can attest to having my attention divided between both the Lord and my sweethearts, my children and their requirements and needs.

We know that in the Beatitudes, Jesus gave us the most important perspective – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33  

When Martha and Mary had a disagreement, Jesus told Martha that Mary chose “that good part,” which emphasized devotion to Him over worldly concerns.  “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.  And in vs 39 reminds us that Mary prioritized devotion to Him over worldly concerns?  And then later in that message, Jesus speaks of putting allegiance to Him above even family relationships!!!  “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27   I prefer to translate “hate” as “love less”!

The Apostle Timothy recognized the importance of devotion to the Gospel message.  “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4   Aren’t we soldiers of Christ, fighting for the Gospel message in this world?

In Psalm 16:8, Our Lord tells us how to live. “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”   So, where is the LORD?   How are we to deal with distractions?!?!

Where should our focus be?  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2   Why is the world trying to distract us?

Let’s look again at 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 which wraps around our excerpt from v. 32.  “But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.  But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.  And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.”   Paul is not saying marriage is wrong; but rather, He explains that marriage naturally brings additional earthly responsibilities and concerns, while the unmarried person can have greater freedom to fully concentrate on serving the Lord.

Points to ponder

How might the reasons for being unmarried be important?

Who wants us to be distracted?   A – Satan!

How important is our focus on serving the LORD?

Caring for a spouse/family might distract from our ministry to the Lord,
but we were also told to “Be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis 1:22. 
We have a choice!

♫  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              September 8, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – How important is Jesus’ “Living Water”?

 Hebraic Musing – How important is Jesus’ “Living Water”?

To begin, let’s recognize that Water is the Key to Life.  The one thing that is required in another planet’s environment according to physicists and astro-biologists (those looking for traces of elements for life on other worlds in the cosmos) is water.  Got to have it!  That’s true for all lifeforms that we have here on Earth.  H2O – a simple combination of two elements that God has created provides the key to survival of ALL lifeforms we know.  No water, no life, no survival, no future… Death… Extinction!

In the Middle East, there are desalination plants to take sea water and remove the salt to provide both drinking water for the people and irrigation water for their farms and livestock.  Without water, the desert would reclaim the inhabited land and life would vanish.  Israel is just such a place, but the desert there has been transformed from sand and dust to lush plantations and beautiful gardens.  The water was there; it just had to be sought.

Water was/is the common factor!  God uses water frequently in his work with us.

  - Jacob’s well, a hole dug in the dry dirt revealed lifesaving water below the surface.
  - Elijah was sent out into the desert heat to sit by a lone brook and kept alive by water the ravens brought him. 
  - Jesus told the Samaritan woman coming to the well to get her daily need that He was the “Living Water”.
  - Water is the key element used for baptism. 
  - Water was the demise of all people except Noah and his immediate family. 
  - Jesus calmed the tempestuous water when He walked on it, having authority over it. 
  - Paul fell victim to violent water in a storm that sank his boat on the way to Rome, but no lives were lost.
  - Jesus’ famous first miracle was changing water into wine. 
  - Caesar washing his hands in water was his indication of finality in a decision.
  - Fetuses are developed in a sack of mostly water in the mother.

Yes!  Water is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible!  Water is important to us and to God.  In it resides the power to give life and to maintain it.  Water is used to wash away unpleasant things.  Water and its importance appears everywhere in Scripture.  

So, when Jesus introduced the concept of Him being “Living Water” He was recognizing the importance and reliance we have on Him.  Without water, there is no life.  That’s an inarguable and incontestable fact.

We need water to be taken into our bodies every day.  Not doing so results in dehydration and a myriad of other health problems.  Taking water isn’t an option, it’s a requirement if we want to keep living and be fully functional.  When you go to a hospital, the first thing they do is stick a tube in your arm connected to a saline solution (water).  Doctors know that our bodies are comprised of 90% water, and its level must be maintained or sickness happens.  Today, companies are getting rich selling “good” water packaged in plastic bottles.  

Jesus telling us that He is “Living Water” is a statement to us that without Him, there is no life.  He reiterates this in His further statements that He is The Way, The Truth, and The LIFE.  Without spiritual water, there is no survival in this world.  No extension of existence.  He was telling us that water is the key element to our survival and it is His “Living Water” that feeds our Spirit, rejuvenates the Soul and brings clarity of discernment and spiritual sight that gives us a future and hope.

KEY POINT – Jesus’ “Living Water” comes packaged in the Scriptures in our Bibles.  It is purified.  Drink it long and often for it is the one thing that will sustain and refresh us and keep us in good spiritual health.

Points to ponder

Does the advice to “stay hydrated” mean even more now if we are drinking the Bible?

How important is it to have Jesus’ “Living Water”?  What happens if we don’t?

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Jn 7:38

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              September 1, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Copied/excerpted from John Drexler’s “Water: The Key to Life”,
            originally from Avoca Christian Church monthly newsletter.

Musing – How and why are we to obey God’s first commandment?

 Hebraic Musing – How and why are we to obey God’s first commandment?

What was God’s first commandment?  In Genesis 1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” NIV   Is that what God’s creation has been doing recently?

After the flood, what did God tell Noah to do?  “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:1 NIV   Twice we’ve been told what to do!

Then for the third time, in Genesis 35:11 God promises Jacob, "Be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants," showing that multiplication is both a blessing and a covenantal agreement.

So, I have to ask.  Why is the current birth rate shrinking, especially in the USA?  Could some of the reasons be – Selfish lifestyles; Broken homes; Seeking personal pleasure instead of sharing; etc.?

All to often when asking young marrieds, “How many?” we get answers like – “only 2-3”.  And if you ask “Why not more?” the typical response is “Cannot afford more children, need to maintain our lifestyle, too expensive, there’s other things we want to do, etc.

What’s happening to Birth Rate Trends?  The birth rate in the U.S. was approximately 48.3 live births per 1,000 people in 1800.  This rate fluctuated but declined significantly in subsequent decades to as low as 19.2 births per 1,000 people by 1935.  Following World War II, the birth rate surged, reaching 24.1 births per 1,000 people in 1955.  However, from the 1960s onward, the birth rate is declining and continues to drop to 11.99 in 2025.  The total fertility rate in the U.S. has declined significantly, dropping from 3.1 births per woman in 1950 to 1.6 births per woman by 2024.  The U.S. fertility rate has fallen well below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman in 2023, indicating potential challenges for population stability in the future.

This decline is attributed to factors such as increased access to education and contraception, changing societal norms and roles, and economic considerations.  Are there more women in the workforce?  Why?  Broken marriages, desire to live beyond our means, etc.  (I have to ask, what level of means are we entitled to?!?!).  I find it interesting that the U.S. First Continental Congress in 1775 had 56 members, all of whom were men; now 28 “Congressmen” are women!?!?

When God told us to “be fruitful and multiply” was he referring to numbers only?  Or Does Almighty God want us to be fruitful and multiply in ways beyond physical reproduction?  Might Almighty God also want us believers to be growing in other dimensions as well:

·      Spiritual growth – Developing faith, character, and obedience to God with spiritual fruit -- love, joy, peace, patience, and faithfulness; visible signs of a fruitful life in Christ.

·      Relationships – Nurturing family, friendships, and church community by cultivating a life of abundance and blessings reflecting God’s generosity.  

·      Service and influence – Using our talents, resources, and actions to bless others and expand God’s kingdom by engaging in acts of kindness, teaching, and mentorship to be a positive impact on society.

In essence, the biblical call to "be fruitful and multiply" invites fulfilling God’s purpose physically, spiritually, relationally, and socially  in order to spread God’s blessings throughout the world.  What is the role of “Biblical Marriage”?  I wonder how many couples truly ask the Lord “How many should we have?”  Or is the decision based on selfishly perceived motivation?  Are children an expensive chore or a blessing?

Personally – When I was born, before WWII, I was the oldest of 8.  The first house I owned was in Bolingbrook, IL, and most of our neighbors had 6 to 8 children.  We eventually had 7 children.  And to be honest, I was not thinking about God’s plan when we were enjoying the God-given pleasures of marriage!

Points to ponder

Which one is glad to see the declining Birth rate?   Our Lord or Satan?

When population grows, doesn’t God have more candidates to spend eternity in heaven?

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                    August 25, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing -- What if you only had One Book to read?

Hebraic Musing -- What if you only had One Book to read?

If you only had one book to read, would you choose a mystery novel; war story; love story; history reference; self-help guide; medical reference; psychology text; child-rearing guide; ancestral history study; warfare; futuristic & visionary; legal library; comedy; gore; trickery; or … ? 

May I suggest the obvious?   Let’s read and study the bible, the Word of God, which has all the above and more!   Our Hebraic Roots are based on the lives of a people that lived, studied and died by the Torah, the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Writings – the TaNaK.  Their books included:

War Stories - Dt 20:1   When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, …   Dt 20:20…build siege works until the city at war with you falls.

Love Stories - SS 1:13-14  My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.  My lover is to me a …  1 Jn 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Mystery Novels - Da 2:18-19  He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men . . .

History Reference - Ezr 4:19-20  ...it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.  Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them....

Self-help guide - Pr 1:1-3  The proverbs of Solomon ...:   for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;  for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, . . .

Medical Reference - Lev 15:13-14 he must wash his clothes and bathe himself with fresh water, and he will be clean.     Lev 16:28  The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water;   Dt 23:12   Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself.  Lev 12:3-4  On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. (When clotting is at maximum level!)

Psychology Lessons -   Dt 4:6-7  ... for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear … and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Trickery - Joshua 9:12-14  This bread … was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is … wineskins … see how cracked… clothes… are worn out . . ."  The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.

Gore & Comedy - Jdg 3:22-24  Even the handle sank in after the blade, which came out his back. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in …. the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, "He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the house."

Sarcasm – Mt 23:27  Woe to you, teachers of the law …, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones…

Humorous Exaggerations - Mk 9:43-47  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off … if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off… if your eye … pluck it out.  Or the Camel through the eye of a needle!

Futuristic & Visionary – Dan. 2:45  "The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy."  10:14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."

Legal Library - Dt 5:1  Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today…    (Ten Commandments)   Remember the 613 Mitzvot (good deeds) in the OT and 1,000+ in the NT?

Child-rearing guide – Pr 23:13-14  Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 

Ancestral history – Remember all the lineages and ‘begats’!?!?  

Spiritual warfare - Eph 6:12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but ...against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Points to ponder

Do we need sections other than for ‘BIBLES’ in our Christian bookstores? 

Is reading the Bible like reading 15 books at one time?!?!

♫  Read your Bible. Pray every day. And you’ll grow, grow, grow!
  (v.2)   Don’t read your Bible. Forget to pray. And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              August 18, 2026

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

Note – Originally Hebraic Insight #49 – “What if you only had One Book to read? Dec. 23, 2009 - 

Musing – Have we become Kings and Priests?

 Hebraic Musing – Have we become Kings and Priests?

The priesthood was a divinely instituted office in the O T providing someone to serve as a mediator between God and His people, primarily through offering sacrifices, teaching the Law and leading spiritual worship.  Hmmm… Has that become the role of us believers today if and when Jesus Christ is our Lord? 

A prophetic message from Zechariah says Jesus is the Priest and King who builds His temple and rules.  “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.  It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne….” Zechariah 6:12-13 NIV   Isn’t this also our role today?!?!

What was Paul trying to tell us in this passage about us as followers and disciples of Christ?  What is our role?  "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… “ 1 Corinthians 6:19   If that’s the case, could our places of business also be temples?   

In the business world a branch office has the same authority and provides services delegated from the main office, with the benefit of being nearer to those who need to be served.  If we recognize our work as ministry, then we can build our temples of worship as kings and priests – kings who have been given free will and authority to choose life, and priests who minister to/from God and to/from the people.  Might our personal and our corporate bodies be the temples of the Holy Spirit with the authority to act as kings and priests?

CEOs and owners of companies possess authority, while managers and team members are an extension of that authority within their organization to participate with Jesus who said He would build His church.  He is building His temple, adding to it and strengthening His church/organization.  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV   And previously in vs 9 we’ve been reminded.  “For we [Paul and Apollos] are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”   In God’s field, we are “a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3   Since Jesus is the Branch, then might we be Branch Offices?!?!  His building?  His field?  And we get to touch and minister as a branch office closer to the people!

Is our “branch” bearing fruit?  Isaiah 11:1 says “A shoot (branch) will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”     We get a hint of how the Branches build through the spirit of wisdom – “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.” Proverbs 9:1 NIV   When building an organization (like a church) the Spirit moves on us at the beginning to build it on seven righteous values that become the pillars that give purpose to our enterprise, the church.  When we esteem the effervescent essence of Christ’s character reflected in our values, we take our place in the building of the Lord, His temple, His church.  “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21.   

What is a priest?  “1. A person having the authority to perform and administer religious rites; 2. A person ordained to act as a mediator between God and man in administering the sacraments, preaching, blessing, guiding, etc.”  As faithful believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord, are we to be fulfilling the role of Priest?

What was Jesus trying to tell you and I?  “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:” John 17:21-22

Points to ponder

Can you picture your role as a King or a Priest in God’s Kingdom?

Is a person ordained with priesthood responsibilities when they accept Jesus as their Lord?

Are we “branching” out as “the planting of the Lord.”?   Isaiah 61.3

“In him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              August 11, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note - Inspired by Mark Stern’s “Tues w/ Papa” July 13, 2026 message: “Branch Offices”