TTN - The Torah Network

4 yrs

PASSION -- BROKEN SYMBOLS

Whenever we refer to something as symbolic, we are saying that it is representative of something else, generally of something much greater than the symbol itself. For instance, on your left hand, you wear a symbol, a ring that represents the covenant you made with your wife / husband. In Uni lecture hall as I stand at the pulpit, to my right and to my left are two other symbols; one a flag representing believer’s faith and the other flag representing the United Kingdom. On the table in front of the pulpit are more symbols, quite simple ones really, just some pieces of bread and cups of juice. But these simple elements are representative of something much greater. Those of you who have spent any time in any church are familiar with these symbols, but it is quite probable that many of us have become overly familiar with them. I believe it is vitally important that as we focus on Grace, we emphasize the Grace these symbols represent more than ever. Paul records for us what Yeshua had to say about them: [For I have received of Adonai that which also I delivered unto you, that Adonai Yeshua the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He break it, and said: Take, eat: this is My Body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, this cup is the New Covenant in My Blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me] -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. One item that many overlook in Yeshua’ Words is one of the most important; it is the Word [broken.] The symbols that Yeshua used to describe the great reality of His impending crucifixion were symbols that were broken, broken to represent four significant truths that should have a tremendous impact on each one of us.

1 -- A BROKEN WORLD:

YHVH Created this world perfect in every way. The earth itself was devoid of any pollution and any corrosion. In the original created order there were no earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes. There was only rich soil, clean air and water, flawless vegetation and an absolutely perfect atmosphere. In the human realm there was no disease, no sickness and no death. YHVH Created humankind to be perfectly healthy in every respect. Morally, there was no animosity, rebellion, racism or division in any way. But when the first human couple rebelled against YHVH by sinning, YHVH’s perfect Creation was broken, every part of it, the natural, human, animal and moral realms of creation were all affected negatively by sin. [Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.] -- Romans 5:12. Adam’s sin broke the world. It caused division between the created order and man, man and man and man and YHVH. YHVH had given Adam dominion over the entire creation; one was connected to the other, so when sin entered into Adam it also entered the natural world. YHVH said: [And unto Adam He said, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I Commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.] --Genesis 3:17. It was like the proverbial house of cards that came crashing down. Not only does Genesis record for us the fall of man, but also the fall of the world in every single respect. Yeshua’ celebration of Adonai’s Supper was looking forward to the day when YHVH’s broken world would be reconciled with YHVH. [For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of YHVH. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of YHVH.] -- Romans 8:19-21. Our time of Communion [even here on TTN] is a time of looking into the future, when YHVH’s New Order becomes a present reality, when the shackles that bind the hands of the world are loosed and YHVH’s original design is reinstated. [Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.] -- 2 Peter 3:13. The broken symbols that we partake of are a reminder of the broken world in which we live, and which Yeshua came to heal. They are a picture of the certain hope of a world that will be fully restored and within which we will dwell for eternity.

2 -- A BROKEN LIFE:

As Yeshua broke the bread and distributed it to His disciples, He had in the mind the broken lives of every man, woman and child that would ever live. He could look at all of us, from Adam down through all of His descendants and His heart was stirred with a desire for reconciliation and restoration. YHVH’s deepest desire is that the broken lives of today become the restored lives of tomorrow. When Yeshua sees the brokenness of our souls and bodies He is moved to compassion. [And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.] -- Luke 19:41. Why did Yeshua weep? Because He was looking out upon a city of people with broken lives that would not accept His offer of reconciliation, Yeshua was looking at people just like us and He saw lives broken because of sin; he saw broken bodies, broken marriages and broken souls in need of redemption. He saw disease that needed to be healed. He saw relationships that needed to be restored. Yeshua saw tears that need to be wiped away and sin that needed forgiven. Concerning His ministry, Yeshua stated: [The Spirit of Adonai is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of Adonai.] -- Luke 4:18-19. Yeshua’ anointing was directed toward the broken lives of His culture and ours. The good news of YHVH’s gifting is for those whose lives are dominated by poverty, for the imprisoned seeking liberation, the afflicted in search of healing and the oppressed who so badly need their burdens to be lifted.

A number of years ago I was a member of a church where a man who had been afflicted for many years by polio also attended each week with his mother. This man had full mental faculties but his body had been so ravaged by this dread disease that he could not walk or even speak. Men from the church would drive out to his house, lift him onto a sheet of plywood and then place him in the back of a station wagon to drive him and his elderly mother to the worship service. When they arrived at church, they would place him on a flat cart and push him to the very front pew. Each week, when the ushers passed out communion, they would go to this man’s side where his mother would take the bread and the cup and place it in his mouth. One day I was asked to assist in passing out the elements for communion. It just so happened that I was the one who would take the cup and bread to this man. As I handed the elements to his mother, I watched as she lovingly placed the bread in his mouth and then the juice. As he swallowed, I looked into his eyes and saw the tears begin to well up. And from the look in his eyes, I could tell that he knew a better day was coming! As Yeshua broke the bread that day so many years ago, He saw the face of this man and He saw your face and mine. Yeshua came to restore us and make us whole again. Adonai’s Supper distinctly represents the fullness of a life that has been cleansed and renewed by the sacrifice of Yeshua Moshiach. The elements are a constant reminder that He has come to restore our broken lives and make us whole again.

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