sacrifice + blood + Yeshua = Awesome

In this past weeks Torah Portion (sh'mini; Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47) we continued reading about the Levitical system of priests and sacrifices. At the beginning of this portion we read about the very first High Priest (Aaron) making the very first sacrifice for the very first time in the history of Israel.

In Exodus we read about the instructions of the tabernacle and where everything is placed, the utensils, the altar, the incense, the clothing of the priests, the lineage of the priests, the show bread, the menorah, the curtain, the outer court, the inner court, the holy place, the holy of holies, the presence of God. Finally, here, we begin to see all of this in action.

Lev 9:1-2 says, "On the eighth day, Moshe called Aharon, his sons and the leaders of Isra'el, and said to Aharon, 'Take a male calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defect, and offer them before ADONAI.'" In verse 6, "Moshe said, 'This is what ADONAI has ordered you to do, so that the glory of ADONAI will appear to you.'"

and then the very first High Priest makes the very first sacrifice for the very first time. Verse 8 says, "So Aharon approached the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering which was for himself."

For himself.
Then verse 15 says, "Then the people's offering was presented. He took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the earlier sin offering."

For himself then for the people.
Thats the way the levitical system works. The High Priest makes a sacrifice for himself for his own sins and then makes sacrifices for the people only after his sins have been forgiven. It would be a game changer if the High Priest didn't have to sacrifice for himself. And what if we only needed one high priest? The book of Hebrews talks about this.

Hebrews 7:22-27 says:
Also this shows how much better is the covenant of which Yeshua has become guarantor. Moreover, the present cohanim (priests) are many in number, because they are prevented by death from continuing in office. But because he lives forever, his position as cohen (priest)does not pass on to someone else; and consequently, he is totally able to deliver those who approach God through him; since he is alive forever and thus forever able to intercede on their behalf. This is the kind of cohen gadol that meets our need - holy, without evil, without stain, set apart from sinners and raised higher than the heavens; one who does not have the daily necessity, like the other cohanim g'dolim (high priests), of offering up sacrifices first for their own sins and only then for those of the people; because he offered one sacrifice, once and for all, by offering up himself.

Wow! Yeshua is such a better deal! But how in the world could Yeshua be the High Priest? He is not a descedant of Aaron. He is not even from the tribe of Levi?! The writer of Hebrews deals with this also. Messiah Yeshua is different. He is apart of a priesthood that came before the levitical system.

Hebrews 7:13-16 says:
The one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar; for everyone knows that our Lord arose out of Y'hudah, and that Moshe said nothing about this tribe when he spoke about cohanim. It becomes even clearer if a "different kind of cohen," one like Malki-Tzedek (Melchizedek), arises, one who became a cohen not by virtue of a rule in the Torah concerning physical descent, but by virtue of the power of an indestructible life.

Yeshua is a priest in the order of Malki-Tzedek.
We don't know much about Malki-Tzedek.
We know that in the book of Genesis he appears to Abraham. We know that Abraham tithes to him (gives him ten percent of his money). And really thats it. No mother, no father, no history. We don't know any of it. But, he is important enough that Avraham Avinu (Father Abraham) tithes to him. It is possible that "Malki-Tzedek" is a title meaning in Hebrew, "King of Righteousness." In Genesis 14:8 he is refered to as "cohen of El Elyon" (priest of God Most High). A priest but not one in the levitical system. In fact a priest in an order that predates the whole levitical system.

So many preachers and theologians teach that the leviticals system has been done away with because of the sacrifice of Yeshua. The book of Hebrews is often used to make this point. But the writer of Hebrews is not making the point that leviticus is done away with, he is making the point that there is a better system.
The real system.
The system in heaven.
The system that leviticus is a shadow of.

Hebrews 8:1-6 says,
Here is the whole point of what we have been saying: we do have just such a cohen gadol as has been described. And he does sit at the right hand of HaG'dulah in heaven. There he serves in the Holy Place, that is, in the true Tent of Meeting, the one erected not by human beings but by ADONAI. For every cohen gadol is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so this cohen gadol too has to have something he can offer. Now if he were on earth, he wouldn't be a cohen at all, since there already are cohanim offering the gifts required by the Torah. But what they are serving is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly original; for when Moshe was about to erect the Tent, God warned him, "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain." But now the work Yeshua has been given to do is far superior to theirs, just as the covenant he mediates is better.

Better is a strong word. What makes Yeshua better is not that the old is irrelevant. What makes Yeshua better is that He is all three parts of the levitical sacrificial system in one person. Yeshua is the sacrifice. Yeshua is the High Priest making the sacrifice. Yeshua is the God receiving the sacrifice.

Wow! that is better!

The sacrificial system was never meant as an end all. It was important to "see to it that you make everything according to the patter you where shown on the mountain." Why? because what matters is what is really happening in heaven. The levitical system was given to us so we could have some understanding of the real thing.

Hebrews 9:11-14 says,
But when the Messiah appeared as cohen gadol of the good things that are happening already, then, through the greater and more perfect Tent which is not man-made (that is, it is not of this created world), he entered the Holiest Place once and for all. And he entered not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of his own blood, thus setting people free forever. For if sprinkling ceremonially unclean persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer restores their outward purity; then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!

So, Yeshua is better because He is the real thing. After Yeshua was put death He rose from the dead. After He rose from the dead he appeared for 40 days (during the counting of the omer) resurrected. Then on the 40th day He ascended into heaven and took His place at the right hand of the father. His sacrifice is more effective because we only needed it once. One sacrifice to forgive all sin. Not only that but, his blood still flows. Since Yeshua is alive, and we believe that his resurrection was "bodily" (meaning He is still in his body), His blood will never stop flowing. The blood of bulls and goats ran out. Each sacrifice only covered one sin because the blood dried up. When you cut an animals jugular the blood stops flowing. Since Yeshua is forever alive His blood will always flow and since His blood will always flow it can cover all sin. past, present, future! The sacrifice was a one time deal but the blood flows forever! Wow! That is better!

In Revelation John sees the lamb who was slain. Revelation 5:6 says, "Then I saw standing there with the throne and the four living beings, in the circle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been slaughtered." Verse 9 continues, "and they sang a new song, 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals; because you were slaughtered; at the cost of blood you ransomed for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nation.'" Verse 12 says "and they shouted out, 'Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise!'" and verse 14 says, "And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth and on the sea- yes, everything in them- saying, 'To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb belong praise, honor, glory and power forever and ever!'"

John continues in his vision in Revelation 7:9-10, "After this, I looked; and there before me was a huge crowd, too large for anyone to count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. They were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands; and they shouted, 'Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

Verses 13-15 say, "One of the elders asked me, 'These people dressed in white robes - who are they, and where are they from?' 'Sir', I answered, 'you know.' Then he told me, 'These are the people who have come out of the Great Persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before God's throne. Day and night they serve him in his Temple; and the One who sits on the throne will put his Sh'khinah (Glory) upon them.'"

Will put His glory on them.
The same thing happened after the very first sacrifice in Leviticus 9:23-24, "Moshe and Aharon entered the tent of meeting, came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of ADONAI appeared to all the people! Fire came forth from the presence of ADONAI, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces."

Back to Hebrews, this time 10:19-23,
So, brothers, we have confidence to use the way into the Holiest Place opened by the blood of Yeshua. He inaugurated it for us as a new and living way through the parokhet (Curtain), by means of his flesh. We also have a great cohen over God's household. Therefore, let us approach the Holiest Place with a sincere heart, in the full assurance that comes from trusting-with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy.

The door is open.
The sacrifice has been made.

But, how many times do we see the open door and choose not to walk through it. We can be people who live in the presense of God. At work, at school, in our house, at the store. When the hard stuff of life gets in our way. When people attack and pain comes. When hurt is real. THE DOOR IS OPEN. The way has been made! You can go into the very presence of God and stay there and lay yourself out before the creator of universe and bask in His glory.

Its free.
Its real.
It is ours.

And we can go in any time we want because the blood of our Messiah opened it up to us.
The sacrifice, The High Priest, and God.
all in the same person.
Yeshua our Messiah.
The door is open walk through it!

Timing is Everything

Mordecai says to Esther, “Don’t suppose that merely because you happen to be in the royal palace you will escape any more than the other Jews. For if you fail to speak up now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from a different direction; but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:13-14)

"For such a time as this" is such an awesome phrase.  Purim has come and gone for this year but what stays with us is that God is determined to not leave His people behind.  Purim is such a great reminder that though people come against us often for following God (or for believing in Him at all) we know that God is with us just as He was with Esther.

In the face of certain death Esther stood up for her people.  In the day that we live in it is the responsibility of every Messianic Jew and Gentile to stand up for Yeshua our Messiah.  For the rest of the Jewish world and for society at large it is not Jewish to believe in Jesus.  In fact, not believing in Jesus has, for many, become apart of the definition of Judaism.  A Jew can believe in all kinds of things and still be considered Jewish.  But, Yeshua!  No longer a Jew if you believe in Him.  

For Gentiles who find themselves apart or involved in the modern Messianic movement it is not all that different.  Family and friends wonder if they "have joined a cult" or "hope this is just a fad" or are "worried for their salvation".  Some cry, "Why would you get involved in all of that legalism?" or "Don't you know that all that Jewish stuff has been done away with?"

Whether one is Jewish or not, being involved in the modern messianic movement brings all kinds of trouble.  Just look at what our friends in the Arad, Israel are experiencing: (see video)

This is why Paul encourages us to "Proclaim the Word! be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not" (2 Timothy 4:2).  The goal of Messianic Judaism is not to confuse or criticize everyone else who does not believe as we do.  Paul continues, "But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires"(2 Timothy 4:5).  Whether anyone likes Yeshua or not...believes in Him or not.  The foundation of the story is that it is Good News.  People can choose to believe that it is "not Jewish" or that it is a "cult."  People are free to believe anything they want.  But then, so are we!  We are free to believe that the Good News is, in its very nature, a Jewish message.  A Jewish message that is for everyone.   Not because God wants everyone to become Jewish but because God wants everyone to return to Him, their creator, and to trust that He is good.

The modern Messianic Synagogal Movement is here "for such a time as this".  To help make important corrections for the body of Messiah and work for the salvation of our non-messianic Jewish people and the nations. 

Peter picks up on this same message when he says, "If you are being insulted because you bear the name of the Messiah, how blessed you are! For the Spirit of the Sh’khinah, that is, the Spirit of God, is resting on you! Let none of you suffer for being a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or a meddler in other people’s affairs. But if anyone suffers for being Messianic, let him not be ashamed; but let him bring glory to God by the way he bears this name. For the time has come for the judgment to begin. It begins with the household of God; and if it starts with us, what will the outcome be for those who are disobeying God’s Good News? — “If the righteous is barely delivered, where will the ungodly and sinful end up?” So let those who are suffering according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator by continuing to do what is good." (1 Peter 4:14-19).

"If anyone suffers for being Messianic, let him not be ashamed; but let him bring glory to God by the way he bears this name."  Messianic comes from the Hebrew for Messiah.  It literally means, "follower of Messiah."  For those of us that call ourselves Messianic (Messianic Jews or Messianic Gentiles) we should take the name seriously.  In everything that we do and say we represent something bigger than ourselves.  This is why Peter is careful to remind us that "judgement...begins with the household of God."  Why? because we are responsible for what we say and do.  "For God will bring to judgment everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad" (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Peter continues, "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you. Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering" (1 Peter 5:6-9)

You have been called to follow God "for such a time as this".  Trust.  Love.  Know that the same God who never left Esther will never leave you.

Stand up.  Believe.  It's Good News.  and we've got to tell it by the lives we live more than the words we speak.  St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words."  Bam!  Now that's winning!

Peter ends his letter with this, "You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God, who is full of grace, the one who called you to his eternal glory in union with the Messiah, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:10-11).

The God of all creation, The God of Israel, wants to HIMSELF restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm.  He is willing.  Timing is everything.  You have been called "for such a time as this."  Jump in.  The time is right!

take it off. take it all off!

I am in the middle of a social experiment.  I have almost entirely given up on wearing ties and "dressing up."  Don't get me wrong.  There are occasions when it is necessary like meeting the President of the United States or officiating a black-tie wedding (Shooster wedding in June!).  Other than a few occasions, I find dressing up to be exhausting.  Wearing a shirt tucked in and a tie is simply not comfortable and I like to be comfortable.  Yes, that includes Shabbat!

Some of you may be thinking, but aren't you a rabbi?  Don't rabbi's have to dress up?  To which I answer, why do rabbi's have to dress up?  It is been said to me often, "We offer our best to God and that's why we dress up on Shabbat."  To which I answer, "Why is my best a suit and tie?" And why does the idea that we must offer our best mean how we dress.

I once had a discussion with a congregant who did not believe in tithing from his paycheck to the synagogue but believed (deeply) that everyone should "offer their best" with what they wear to synagogue.  Similarly, recently I was told by someone that I was not a good example to his teenage son because I wear jeans on Shabbat.  I said to this man, sarcastically, "You're right, I love God and am serving Him with my whole life, I love my wife and my children and I am doing my best to love people. I think your ideas of what is a good example are pretty messed up."

Some say that dressing down is just a gimmick, but for me it is not a gimmick, it is an ideology.  In our everyday life we often face extra-biblical concepts that are not biblical at all.  The old saying "cleanliness is next to godliness" is a great example.  These words are not in the Bible but you would be surprised how many people treat the saying as if it is from God.  Truthfully, some things are just quotes from our mothers!  I don't believe God is more honored when we show up to synagogue in our best.  Not to mention, who's to say that jeans, a t-shirt, and chucks are not our best!?

Some of my friends in ministry have said to me recently, "Seattle is the perfect place for you because everyone dresses down."  True.  It does make the experiment easier, but I don't think the city matters.  People matter, and in my generation I think there is a desire for deep authenticity.  I am not saying no one should dress up ever again.  I am saying it is not for me.  I think I represent myself better when I am just being me and being me means I am a little different than your average rabbi.

I have also been told that "dressing down will not work in Jewish ministry."  And here is where the social experiment comes in to play.  I am not sure wether that statement is true or not but I am determined to figure it out.  Some have said, "dressing down works in the church but not in the synagogue" and I see this statement as a challenge.  Forty years ago it didn't work for the church either.  It took a few leaders who challenged the idea that dressing up and ministry are synonymous, and they challenged that idea and now there are thousands of "dress down" churches reaching millions of people with the Jewish Messiah.

"But Matt," you say, "being a Rabbi is a profession and dressing up means you are a professional."  Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and plenty of others have handled this kind of statement in their spheres of influence.  Titles and the way we dress does not make someone "professional."  I believe that I am good at what I do (improvement is always the goal).  The work should speak for itself.

It takes all kinds of people to reach all kinds of people.  Those who dress up will reach those who dress up.  Those who dress down will reach those who dress down.  I believe there are plenty of Jewish people who are hungry for the truth of God's word that are not interested in wearing ties or dressing up.  I believe there is a place in this world for rabbi's and synagogues that dress down.  Not as a gimmick.  Not based on location.  But, based on a desire to see people from all kinds of backgrounds return back to their creator: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In Messianic circles our leaders are often talking about reaching the next generation and growing leaders from the next generation.  I think dressing down speaks to my generation and I believe that my generation is full of awesome, God-loving men and women who are ready to do awesome things for the kingdom of God.  I also believe that there are many in the generations ahead of us who are holding young people back because we don't look like them.  I know there are leaders out there that embrace young people for who they are but our movement is in desperate need of more leaders that will let us lead along side of them.  Even leaders that will allow young people to lead them (jeans and all)!

It is the responsibility of each generation to translate the Jewish message of our Jewish Messiah into the generation of which they are a part.  We should not force one generation to look like the other (which is why I am NOT saying that older Rabbi's should dress down or that every young rabbi should either).  We should be able to work, dream, accomplish and share stages together so that we can do the work of presenting the message of Yeshua our Messiah with compassion, love, grace and truth.  That translates to all people of every generation.

Just remember, "cleanliness is next to godliness!"

The Presence of God

This past Shabbat my sermon was not recorded :(  The following blog is taken from my sermon notes.  I hope it is helpful and inspiring to those who are interested.

In Exodus 19 (from a few weeks ago), Moses and the children of Israel meet God at Mt Sinai.  It is a huge mountain and there is fire, smoke, a loud Shofar blast (that grows louder and louder), earthquakes, and lightning.  It is a fear-filled event for the children of Israel.  Not to mention that Moses went up there!  He is gone for 40 days and nobody knows how he could ever come down from there.  Yet, for Moses, it is quiet and calm as he sits in the presence of a mighty God.  It is much like a hurricane.  The outside is treacherous; but if you can find the "eye of the storm" there is calmness and peace.

In Matthew 17, Yeshua takes three of his disciples and reveals to them His divinity.  The event is similar to Mt Sinai in that there is smoke (a cloud), fire, and a loud voice (of God speaking).  Peter, James and John find themselves just as afraid as the children of Israel were at Mt Sinai.  Even Moses is there! along with Elijah!  Yeshua encourages his disciples to "not be afraid."

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The presence of God is a scary, frightening place on the outside; but, if we choose to live in the presence of God, then the Lord will provide everything that we need.  We have the opportunity to “go boldly before the throne of grace.” God’s presence is the place of rest, the eye of the storm, the place of safety in the this time of fear and turmoil.  But the fire, and the cloud and the earthquakes make us afraid to enter the presence of God.  Once we step in though, it is the safest and most fulfilling place to be.  There is always craziness in my life.  And when the craziness comes, that is when I need His presence most.  God invites us not just to enjoy His presence when it is necessary; but to make our residence there and live in His presence all of the time. 

In this weeks Torah Portion (Terumah) God says, “They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.” (Exodus 25:8) and that  “You are to make it according to everything I show you — the design of the tabernacle and the design of its furnishings. This is how you are to make it.” (vs 9)  The design is important because He wants us to understand a few things.

The deeper one goes into the tabernacle, the more precious the material and stones. Why?  Because God wants us to value His presence.  The word Mishkan (tabernacle in Hebrew) and the word for Glory (Sheckinah) come from the same root word.  Because the Tabernacle is where God's glory rests. 

In the Messianic Writings, Hebrews 8:5, the writer reminds us, "But what they are serving is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly original; for when Moshe was about to erect the Tent, God warned him, “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.”  Some people take the words "copy" and "shadow" to mean "no longer needed."  But, they miss the importance of the progressive revelation of the God of Israel.  We can't enter into God's presence without blood.  Without a sacrifice we cannot enter into God's presence.  Not because God is afraid of us or because God's presence can't handle us.  But because we, as sinners, cannot stand in the presence of God.  His presence eradicates darkness.   It is only by the blood of our Messiah that we can enter in.  

What is so amazing about Yeshua is that He is all three parts of the sacrificial system in one.  The God (whom we offer sacrifice to), the High priest (who offers the sacrifice), and the sacrifice (whose blood brings atonement).  Yeshua is pretty awesome!  In John 1:14, the scripture literally says that Yeshua came “to dwell in a tent with us”.  He "tabernacled" among us.  He came to live in our presence so we could understand how to live in His.

In Revelation 21:3, John writes, "I heard a loud voice from the throne say, 'See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and He Himself, God-with-them, will be their God.'"  God came to live with us so that we could understand how to live with Him!  And so we could understand that He wants to live in us and work through us!

Like Yeshua said to His disciples, I say to you, "do not be afraid!"  The presence of God is a scary place on the outside but through the blood of Yeshua we can get through the scary stuff and right into the eye of the storm.  We have the opportunity to “go boldly before the throne of grace” everyday because of the sacrifice of Yeshua.

So enter into God’s presence and stay there!! LIVE THERE!!  His desire is to live among us and to make it our desire to live with Him!!  There is no better place for anyone to be!!

love what you do!

I have been apart of what we call "The Messianic Movement" my entire life.  When I was five weeks old my parents, along with my older brother (three years old), drove across the country from Ashland, Oregon to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  We drove across the country to participate in one of the few Messianic Jewish Congregations in the whole world, Beth Yeshua.

Back in February of 2010 I came out to Seattle to find an apartment for my family as we began the process of moving from Maryland to Washington State.  At Thirty years old I took my family on a journey across the country to follow God where He was leading us.  On this particular trip I went to a Bar Mitzvah in San Diego first.  So, on my way to Seattle I had to stop in San Francisco.  Because of this particular path I found myself flying over Oregon on my way to Seattle.  I saw Mt. Hood and Crater Lake (I even took pictures from the plane with my iPhone).

It struck me as I was flying that God was doing an awesome thing for me as His child.  I realized that God was in our move and that God was with us because I could have never planned that at Thirty years old God would bring me back to the northwest.  At around the same age that my parents were when they left.  With children around the same age that my brother and I as we drove.  Passing the place that my parents have told me about my whole life but I had not seen with my own eyes.  Not as a baby (in a basket in the back of a station wagon) but as a grown man.  Not as a son, but as a dad.  Not without purpose, but to grow a Messianic Synagogue.

Since about the age of ten I have wanted to be a Messianic Rabbi.  I was a Rabbi in New York for a few years and then in Maryland for ten months.  As I approach a year of being in Seattle, I am really excited for all that God is doing in me and at Beit Messiah.  My heart is full, my eyes are set on the goal of reaching my people and my feet are hitting the ground doing the work of my heart and eyes.

I am convinced that God is doing awesome things here in Seattle!  I am in such an amazing place because my dreams are coming true and the purposes that God put on my heart when I was a boy are becoming reality.  I am entirely passionate about my job.  I am excited to participate in God's plan for my life.  I love what I do, I love my family, I love my Synagogue.  I can't wait to look back on these years and talk of all the awesome things God did!

Do you love what you do?
Are you passionate about your job?
Are you where God wants you?

If your answer to these questions are yes? Praise God!
If your answer to these questions is no?
maybe you should consider stopping what you are doing and going after the things God has called you too.  hard? yes. scary? you better believe it.  worth it? see above :)

His plans for you are good.  He wants you to love and be passionate about what you are doing with your life.  Find Him and let Him bring you into your purpose!

Holding my boy!

I spent some time with my beautiful 6 month old son yesterday.  It was just the two of us.  I watched "master and commander" with Russell Crowe.  It was a manly activity for two men :)

I was holding Ty and looking outside over the foothills of the cascade mountains and I looked at Ty's face as I held him.  I tried to figure out how I could love him so much.  He can't even talk yet.  As I looked at his face I realized: I love him because he is mine.  I had a part in making him and he is mine.

Not to long ago I helped out at Emma's (my 5 year old) preschool.  Two of the 5 year old boys were arguing over my daughter.  "my Emma" "no my Emma."  I stopped both of them and got down on my knees so I could be at their level and I said "actually, she is MY Emma."

Today is a super clear day in Seattle.  On a day like today I can see the mountains that surround the city.  I think of the Psalm 125:2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever."  I find it amazing that as I hold my son and look at his face, the mountains and hills around Seattle that the creator of the universe sees me the same way.   He loves me because I am His.  He created me and when I do dumb things He still likes my face.  Why?! because He made me and He has great things for me to do with my life!

be encouraged Friends.  Your His.  He made You.  If your running from Him just turn around.  He wants to hold you and look at your face and enjoy His creation.  He wants to be enjoyed by you the way a baby smiles at his mom and dad.  And man, is that smile worth a lot!

Michael Jackson was right!

Michael Jackson was right.  It's time to heal the world and make it a better place.  for you and for me and the entire human race!

I have been a religious person my whole life.  I love God.  I love my wife.  I love my kids.  Healing the world?! sure, some times.

I think about Darfur.  I think about earthquakes in Haiti.  I think about floods in Australia.  I think about the high rate of abortion.  I think about the struggle of women in society.  I think Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.  The truth is, I only think about them when they are put in front of me (after all it is Martin Luther King Day).  I think about them when they're on the news.  I think about them when I watch George Clooney on dateline.  I think about them when I run into Scriptures like James 1:27: "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." 


then they fade from thoughts.  This past Shabbat I spoke about Tikkun Olam (literally: The Healing of the World).  The last two weeks have been an introduction to Beit Messiah's new purpose statement (check out the podcasts on iTunes or our Website):  "Our Purpose is to walk in the likeness of Messiah Yeshua (Messianic Halacha) and partner with Adonai in the healing of the world (Tikkun Olam)."

I included Tikkun Olam in our new purpose because I have always been moved to do something for the world around me.  I have prayed about it a lot.  I have been "waiting" for direction from God as to what role I should play.  Then it struck me.  Its all a sham.  I haven't been "waiting" I have been avoiding what I know my responsibility is.  Not just because I am religious.  but because I am a human being.  The Gospel of Yeshua is more than just spiritual salvation.  It is spiritual.  but it is also physical, emotional, and psychological.  Yeshua didn't just offer people salvation.  He offered power and authority to do real things in a real world.  It seems easy to just offer salvation to people and tell them to trust that they will get to Heaven.  But eternity has already started and Yeshua said many times that the Kingdom of God is right here and right now.  I want to be like Him with all of my heart but being like Him means I have to partner with Him in healing the world.


I am making a commitment to engage with what I most care about in 2011.  I love God.  I love my wife.  I love my kids.  And I am going to work hard to love the world around me (and those far from me).  I am making this commitment as an individual, as a husband, as a father and as a Rabbi.  This year I am going to lead people around me to think bigger, to dream bigger, pray bigger and actually DO bigger than we have ever imagined.  because I love God.  because I love my wife.  because I love my kids. because I love my Synagogue (and the people in it :) and if I really do love all of these then I've got to love the world that God has put me in.  More than just spiritually but also working to bring healing to people physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  I want to go for healing the whole person to the best of my ability and if I can't do it I want to find someone who can. 


In Luke 4:16-19, Yeshua introduced Himself as the Messiah (for the whole world) in His hometown of Nazareth He quoted Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of ADONAI is upon me; therefore he has anointed me to announce Good News to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned and renewed sight for the blind, to release those who have been crushed, to proclaim a year of the favor of ADONAI.”  I want to be that.  Yeshua said we could be that.  I want to be like Him so 2011 is the year I go for it.


wanna join me? 


(Note: I will be laying out some "Tikkun Olam Initiatives" all year and highlighting organizations doing the work of healing the world.  keep looking out.)


Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!