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TEACHING OF YESHUA MOSHIACH --- PART 4

Teachings About Humanity:
Yeshua taught about YHVH’s providential care for all human beings. A person’s hairs are all numbered -- Matthew 10:30, which is a vivid picture of YHVH’s concern over the details of human life. But YHVH is far more concerned with the eternal soul. Yeshua made it clear that it would be unprofitable for anyone to gain the world and to lose his or her soul -- 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25. The focus falls on what a person is and not what he or she has. Yeshua even said that a maimed body was preferable to a forfeited life -- Mark 9:43-47. He was not of course, unconcerned about people’s physical state, as His many healings show. However, His major concern was with people’s relationship with YHVH.

Community:
Yeshua never viewed humans as isolated individuals. YHVH’s people are called to community. The Sermon on the Mount illustrated this social emphasis in the teaching of Yeshua. Those who are merciful to others will obtain mercy -- Matthew 5:7. Peacemakers are rewarded -- 5:9. The disciples of Yeshua are expected to bring light to others -- 5:16. They are expected to give more than expected -- 5:40. According to Yeshua, people have responsibility beyond themselves.

Dependence:
Yeshua taught men and women to pray to YHVH for daily bread -- Matthew 6:11 as a reminder that they cannot be wholly self-sufficient. He allowed no place in His teaching for humans to boast in their own achievements. Dependence on YHVH is not a sign of weakness. It is a symbol of strength. Wise people know they don’t have it all together. They rely on YHVH for daily help.

Family:
Yeshua accepted the sanctity of the marriage contract -- Matthew 5:31-32; compare to 19:3-9 and showed a high regard for the honour and rights of the wife. Yeshua showed His regard for the status of women through His actions and attitudes instead of specific teachings. Luke points out how many women supported Yeshua and His disciples in their travels.

Sinful Nature:
Yeshua had a high view of human potential but also acknowledged their present condition. He stressed repentance, realizing people’s sinful nature -- Matthew 4:17. Yeshua focuses on forgiveness in the examples of the paralytic -- 9:1-8 and to the desperate woman who anointed Him -- Luke 7:47-48. In the Adonai’s Prayer, Yeshua instructs His disciples to pray for forgiveness -- Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4. He takes for granted that they need it and desire to obtain it. Men and women are not self-righteous. In fact, He criticizes the religious leaders in various sayings, but particularly in -- Matthew 23. They thought their good works earned them salvation. In contrast, Yeshua taught that we must cast ourselves on the mercy of YHVH. This is vividly illustrated in the parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector at prayer -- Luke 18:10-14. Yeshua commended the tax collector for throwing himself on the mercy of YHVH. Yeshua never suggested that there was anyone who was exempt from sin. To Yeshua, sin represented separation from YHVH. This comes out clearly in John’s Gospel, with its strong contrasts between light and darkness, life and death -- compare to John 5:24. Indeed, the [world] in John’s Gospel represents the system that takes no account of YHVH. But sin is also seen as enslavement to satan. The life and teachings of Yeshua are seen against the background of spiritual conflict. Yeshua can even say to His opponents, [You are of your father the devil] -- John 8:44. In the parable of the prodigal son, sin against YHVH is linked with sin before the father. In other words, it is regarded in terms of rebellion and revolt -- Luke 15:21. This is a different assessment of the son’s offense than the one arrived at by the elder brother, who could see it only in terms of property. Our sinful nature is what separates us from YHVH. Our sins are simply an expression of a much larger issue. According to Yeshua, we are in a constant state of rebellion against YHVH until we experience salvation. Those who did not believe and were therefore outside of Yeshua’s provision of salvation are already condemned -- John 3:18. Yeshua mentioned judgment to come, which shows that a person’s destiny is related to his or her present spiritual condition. Yeshua’s mission rests against this background of humanity’s spiritual need. We would be totally unable to achieve salvation apart from Yeshua. Yeshua came to offer eternal life to those who believe in Him -- 3:16.

Teachings About the Church:
Some have supposed that Yeshua did not predict that there would be a church. But on two occasions He used the word [Church,] which means a people called out by YHVH. On one of the occasions; at Caesarea Philippi; Yeshua told Peter that He would build His Church upon the rock -- Matthew 16:16-19. It seems most probable that [rock] was intended to link the foundation of the church to Peter’s particular confession about Yeshua. The later church was a community that affirmed that Yeshua was Moshiach, the Son of the living YHVH. Moshiach Himself built the church. He assured His disciples that evil would be unable to overcome it. Moreover, one of the functions of the church was to proclaim forgiveness of sins and this is implied in what Yeshua said to Peter. However, similar words were addressed to all the disciples, not just Peter -- Matthew 18:18. The church, according to -- 18:17, was also to be a community that could settle disputes between believers. In addition to these specific references to the church, Yeshua assumed that His followers would meet together in His Name -- Matthew 18:19-20. In his final words in Matthew’s account, He commissioned them to teach what He had taught them and to baptize new disciples -- 28:19-20. He promised His presence would be with them. The command to baptize was reinforced by Yeshua’s own example in submitting to John’s baptism. Yeshua also expected His disciples and the future church to observe the Adonai’s Supper. Yeshua intended the future community to be frequently reminded of the centre of the faith. The Christian church was to be a group of people who knew that through Moshiach they had entered into a new relationship with YHVH. Although there are no references to the church in John’s Gospel, there are certainly hints that support the community idea. Yeshua introduced Himself as the Shepherd and spoke of His followers as forming a flock -- John 10:16. The sheep imagery occurs again in this Gospel when Peter is instructed three times by the risen Adonai to feed the sheep -- 21:15-17. Yeshua also used the imagery of many branches that draw their life from the vine and therefore belong to each other because of their common life in the vine. Yeshua recognized that the future community would need the aid of the Spirit; as seen in the book of Acts. Finally, there is a close connection between the church and the Kingdom, although they are not identical. The Church is part of the bigger picture; the Kingdom of YHVH.

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