The Torah Network

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YESHUA MOSHIACH – PART 4

Various Controversies:
Yeshua did not hesitate to confront others on issues that involved moral or religious questions. John’s Gospel recorded a controversy over the keeping of the Shabbat that arose when a lame man was healed on that day -- John 5:1-18. It shows once again that the law of the Shabbat was regarded by the Pharisees as of greater importance than concern for the physical welfare of the lame man. This was typical of the Jewish approach and led at once to a persecuting attitude toward Yeshua, particularly because He claimed to be doing the work of YHVH. A similar conflict arose after Yeshua’s disciples had plucked grain in the fields on the Shabbat day -- Matthew 12:1-8. The Pharisees assumed that this act was work and saw it as a reason enough to plot to destroy Yeshua. After this event, He healed a paralyzed man on the same Shabbat day -- 12:9-14. The Jewish leaders clearly regarded Him as a direct threat to their position among the people. The rising opposition did not discourage Yeshua from further healings -- Matthew 12:15-32, which Matthew shows as the fulfilment of Scripture. But when Yeshua healed a blind and mute demon-possessed man, the Pharisees charged Him with casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons. Yeshua told them that to blaspheme Ruach HaKodesh was an unforgivable sin. This incident not only brings out the perversity of the religious leaders but also shows that the Ministry of Yeshua was under the direct control of the Spirit. Other notable miracles were the healing of the centurion’s servant, as recorded by Luke -- Luke 7:1-10 and the raising from the dead of the widow’s son at Nain -- 7:11-17. The former of these is notable because of the remarkable faith of a Gentile. Another example of the Pharisees’ criticism was when Yeshua attended a meal in Simon the Pharisee’s house -- Luke 7:36-50. His host had not provided for the usual courtesies toward guests and yet was critical of Yeshua for allowing an immoral woman to wash His feet with tears, dry them with her hair and anoint them with ointment. There is no doubt that most of Simon’s colleagues would have shared his reaction, but Yeshua did not stop the woman because He knew she was motivated by love. He told Simon a parable to press home His point. John records two visits by Yeshua to Jerusalem. These are difficult to date, but they probably occurred during the early period of the ministry. He attended the Feast of Tabernacles -- John 7:2 and the Feast of Dedication -- 10:22. At these times, Yeshua taught in the temple area and debated with the religious leaders. The chief priests became alarmed at His presence and sent officers to arrest Him -- 7:32. They were unable to do so; instead, they themselves were captivated by His teachings. More discussions with the Jewish leaders followed. They charged Yeshua with being demon-possessed -- 8:48. Both in this case and in the event of the healing of the blind man -- 9, the hostility of the Jewish leaders toward Yeshua is clear. When Yeshua spoke of Himself as the Shepherd, His teaching again raised the anger of his Jewish hearers, who took up stones to kill Him -- 10:31.

Teaching in Parables:
Matthew’s Gospel gives a sample of a sermon by Yeshua -- Matthew 5:1-7:29, but Yeshua more often spoke in parables. Matthew collected into a group some of the parables that concern the theme of the Kingdom -- 13. Luke tends to preserve parables of a different kind that are not specially linked to the Kingdom. Mark has the least number of parables among the synoptic Gospels, but his writing shows little interest in Yeshua as a Moreh (teacher). John does not relate any parables, although he does preserve two allegories; the Sheepfold and the Vine; which could be regarded as extended parables. The parable was a favourite teaching form of Yeshua. Yeshua used parables even in the middle of His more formal sermons. The parable was valuable because everyone can relate to a story and still be challenged. Yeshua did not speak in parables in order to obscure His meaning. This would be contrary to all that He aimed to do through His work and teaching.

Significant Events in Galilee:
In Nazareth, there was a striking lack of response to the ministry of Yeshua. The people of His hometown proved so hostile that He could perform very few miracles there -- Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6. This incident is important because it shows that faith was especially necessary for people to receive His healing miracles. The one miracle performed by Yeshua that all four Gospels describe is the feeding of the 5,000 -- Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15. This occasion shows the great popularity of Yeshua at this stage of His Ministry. It also reveals that He was mindful of the physical needs of people. After this miracle, some wanted to make Yeshua king. This casts considerable light on their real motives. They were more concerned with material and political issues than with spiritual truth. This is why Yeshua immediately withdrew from them. When the people found Him the next day, He instructed them about the spiritual bread that comes from heaven -- 6:25-40. At this point in John’s Gospel, Yeshua is often seen speaking with His opponents. This style of teaching is different from the synoptic parables but familiar in Jewish-style debate. Many of the people found the spiritual themes in the teaching of Yeshua too difficult to accept and ceased to be His disciples -- John 6:51-52, 60, 66. This incident shows the unique challenge presented by Yeshua and His teaching. Another miracle closely linked with this is when Yeshua walked on the water, demonstrating His power in the natural world. Many have sought to rationalize the event by supposing that Yeshua was really walking on the shore and that the disciples did not realize this in the haze. But this miracle is no more extraordinary than the massive multiplication of loaves and fishes, nor is it inconceivable if the miracle worker was all that He claimed to be. It has been said that Yeshua was either telling the truth, lying incessantly or was criminally insane. These are the three options; with two and three being a direct contradiction to everything else we know about Moshiach.

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