The Sermon on the Mount
Part I: The Beatitudes
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
This is salvation by grace. First we must empty ourselves of our own self-righteousness spirit if the Ruach HaKadosh (Holy Spirit) is to dwell inside us.
"Do you not know that a little leavening leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Pascal Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleaven bread of sincerity and truth." 1Cor.5.6-8.
This is why first reconciliation precedes a child's first Eucharist in our Church.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
We mourn over our sins that have kept us apart from G-d. We also mourn the sins of our world because this is not how HaShem sought His creation to be (we can use Daniel as an example). We are comforted by grace and by the promise that someday this world will be renewed. As in the words of "The Act of Contrition" we affirm:
"O' my G-d I'm heartily sorry for having offended Thee , and I detest all my sins, because of Thy just punishment, but most of all because I have offended Thee, L-rd. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin."
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Salvation brings humility and this in turn guarantees our place in the kingdom to come. The humble seek and they are also slow to judge.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
It takes a humble heart to read and understand the words of G-d and the teachings of our fathers. Those that see their weaknesses and failings yearn to correct their wrongs and to do what's right. What we believe Yeshua is stating here is that this hunger (or this drive) will not leave you frustrated because when it erupts in your heart He will be beside you to help you find the true path.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Mitzvoth keeping actually humbles the righteous because he/she knows that it is impossible (except for Yeshua). Each time we fail, we go back to Hashem for forgiveness and He, in His great abundant love, forgives us. And then we again attempt to properly keep Mitzvoth. For example, do we not recite in mass the words:
"L-rd I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." (From the celebration of the Eucharist in the daily mass)
He only asks one thing of us for this forgiveness and this is that we show mercy to our fellow man for in "the measure you give (forgiveness) will be the measure you receive." (Matt. 7.2)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see G-d."
The above process of emptying ourselves and allowing the Ruach HaKadosh to dwell within us humbles our heart and teaches us of the mercy of G-d. This in turn purifies our heart and vision. Even a small change in our vision brings forth good fruit and we hunger to conform ourselves more and more to the will of G-d; to become like His Son. Yeshua tells us if we have seen Him, we have seen His Father also. Well, if we strive to become like Him, we become the desired image of our Father.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of G-d."
This peace isn't the peace that the world can bring, it is the Shalom that only HaShem can give.
"Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you."
Those that have walked this path can help others through or even to the path. These others who have been helped recognize that the Light is within those who have helped them and this is why they are called by His Name.
"Let your light shine before men, that they give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matt.5.16.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Notice as you walk closer with HaShem and keep His Mitzvoth to the best of your ability, the more you grow in humility and thus less judgmental. As you spread shalom to all you greet, and as you begin to see more clearly because of His love that is inside you, then the more the world will come to judge you and persecute you. Remember that the road is narrow and the number is few who will find eternal life. This is why our Church tells us to remember the great martyrs that have died before us and that suffering can be holy. Someday we may wear the very same robes of persecution as we suffer and die for the glory of HaShem.
"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for man persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Twice we are told of persecution and both times we are told this is a blessing. Why? Because persecution refines the soul and exposes what kind of metal we are made of. After all, did they not persecute HaMoshiach who is perfect?
"If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world love it's own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the words I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than His Master.' If they will persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept My Word, they will keep yours also." (John 15.20)
In other words, persecution is a good thing and not something to be feared.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its flavor be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by man."
Note, whereas sweetness is found in fattening and calorie-laden foods, salt is mostly used to flavor foods that are more healthy for us. So also should our witness be.
"You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see you good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Light a candle and place it under the table and you'll understand better what Yeshua means here. Yes, we are saved by faith and not by works, but this fact is no excuse for lawlessness. Yeshua said:
"I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." Jn.15.5
and
"For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" Lk.9.24-23
or from
James 2.26: "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead."
Many people believe that when Yeshua spoke the word "Law", He was talking about some other law connected with the New Covenant and not the Law of Moshe (Moses). Is this true? He answers this Himself in Matt. 5.17-20
"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them."
What law had Yeshua come to fulfill yet not abolish? Well, there are three things which we have perceived. First, we know that these "Laws" had to exist prior to Yeshua's walk upon the earth; second, they were commonly known by the people of the area in which He spoke; and third, that Yeshua is a Jew Who observed them. Therefore, we conclude that these Laws must be the Law passed down from HaShem through Moshe minus the sacrifice for sin (see Wineskins and Garments for more details on this). Even to those who claim the Church has the right to "loosen and bind" in these things, they must realize that even this right does not circumvent the Word of HaShem. Truth is that even the Church keeps "the Law" (see the The Noahite Covenant and Peter's Seat for more details into this issue).
Deep down this is the only interpretation of the above words that make sense to us. After all, would HaShem condemn souls to eternal damnation and not make the measuring stick clear as crystal? This is why Yeshua tells us that His mission was not to change the Laws, but rather to fulfill them. So what about the words of Paul- does Yeshua contradict him? Actually, we don't believe he does because Yeshua's Words (as was St. Peter's) are to Israel as Paul's were for the Goyim (the Nations or gentiles), Gal.2.8. Besides, St. Peter also tells us St. Paul's words are "hard to understand" and were often twisted by ignorant and unstable men, 2Pet.3.15-17. We believe St. Paul was called (as was Pope St. Peter) to lower the bar of the Law for the grafted-in to make way for the great miracle which is predicted in Jer.31 (we hope to have a piece on Jer.31 in the future).
"For truly, I say to you till heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished."
Some claim that it's true that Yeshua did not come to change the Law right there on the mount but did change them after His resurrection. However, Yeshua Himself gave the time of the Law's demise: "till heaven and earth pass away". When will this happen?
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . .", Rev.21.1
If you go to that section in Revelations you'll see clearly that heaven and earth don't pass away until after Yeshua's second coming (Rev.19), and the final judgment (Rev.20.5-15). Until this happens the Law stands! In fact not one iota, nor one dot will be removed. Dots and iotas (or tittles) we believe are the vowels in Hebrew language. They are represented by literal dots and short marks. Many claim (particularly Arabs) that the dots and tittles were added after our ancestors were living in Babylon, which may be true, but here Yeshua tells us even if these are later additions, they will not be removed! If the dots and tittles still stand, then how much more the Law that came forth from the mouth of Moshe long ago? Therefore not only do the Words of Torah stand, so do the vowels! And could this be a reference to the coming "song of the 144,000", which we suspect resounds the Word of HaShem in a new understanding. Nothing we believe that they speak (or teach) will contradict the Word, but only give clarity to His Word.
We have all heard the claim that it is by grace and grace alone that we are saved and that works are meaningless to our salvation. But we see a slightly different picture here and our Church also affirms this as well. Salvation is indeed by grace, this is true (for which one of us can be so perfect to get in on our own merits?), however there are several parables (sheep and the goats for example) that speak of our actions (or deeds) as a factor in judgment (also see James 2.18-26). In fact Yeshua also said:
"Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
The words may seem harsh, but truth can be harsh as well as uplifting, depending on whether we are listening to the Ruach HaKadosh (Holy Spirit) and allowing Him to lead us. Again we believe Jer.31 explains why our Church is innocent of breaking this above Mitzvah (Law) which should be obvious as she was given the right to "loosen and bind" though we were not. Yet as our site on the Noahite clearly shows, our Church (after two thousand years) keeps all seven laws according to the Mitzvah, which only confirm in our hearts her validity and right to lead.
"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
We are to exceed the scribes and the Pharisees in righteousness, but isn't this easy? Were not the Scribes and Pharisees unrighteous hypocrites? Does this not just reaffirm the doctrine of faith alone? Yeshua Himself explains exactly what He meant:
The Torah states: "Thou shall not kill", but Yeshua lifted the bar higher with these words, "I say to everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."
"Thou shall not commit adultery" the Torah commands, yet Yeshua says "I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
On swearing an oath we are told, "Let what you say be simply "yes" and "no"; anything more than this comes from the evil one." Matt.5.37
Each time Yeshua seems to lift the bar higher from the original Mitzvoth as received through Moshe. He did not abolish the Law, but rather set it more firmly into the foundation of all HaShem's Mitzvoth, including everything from turning the other cheek when wronged to loving those that hate us. Yeshua tells us it is not a matter of being simply good, we are to be perfect! But who can be perfect???!? And yet perfect is what we are called to be.
Now Yeshua turns to how we are to be perceive by others; we are told our acts of holiness are not outward actions to be praised by men, but rather inward acts for the praise of HaShem alone. We are to give alms secretly, pray privately and fast invisibly. All acts of worship are to be done in praise and worship of HaShem and not for others. True holiness is not outward piety but inward actions of love that can only come forth from a righteous heart.
As if this is not enough, He comes to the true Magna Carta of the faithful which sums up everything He has said up until now:
We are called to love HaShem in all things. To commit to him our whole lives and hearts. We are to put HaShem above everything we think and do. We cannot lay up treasures of worldly things because these things will not survive, we are to lay up treasures in heaven alone. Then He gives an example from one of the greatest stumbling blocks, you cannot love HaShem and money. Why does He single out the love of money as so great a sin. Because the desire of money demonstrates a lack of trust, thus a lack of faith. After all, are we not told in the V'ahefta:
"V'ahefta et ad-nai El-hekha b'kol l'vavcha oovkhol nafsh'kha, oovkhol me'odekha."
Or for those not as familiar with Hebrew:
"You shall love HaShem your G-d with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."
Your heart is where you feel; your mind is where you think and your strength is the source of all that you do physically. We are to give all of these things, our emotions, our intellect, and all we do to G-d; and after we give these things, what is really left of ourselves? This is why Yeshua states elsewhere "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.", Mk.8.34. Anything less than these things, isn't true love at all.
How can we be perfectly and completely focused on Him at all times? Is this possible? Is it reasonable? Certainly sooner or later we'll fail. The sages taught that if we break one Mitzvoth, we have broken them all. Paul also says keeping the whole Law is simply impossible. None have ever done this and none ever can (except Yeshua). How can Yeshua be commanding us to do something the Word of G-d says is impossible to do?
Consider the efforts of a child to please his/her parents- whether perfect or not, it is the child's desire to please and to do right that touches the hearts of their parents. How much different would HaShem be? Is He not our Father? Remember Yeshua's Word is law and He is judge over the living and the dead.
And it is in this answer we find the true meaning of Paul's words on faith, that we can't do it alone, therefore we must empty ourselves and allow Him in!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
This is the first step in salvation, the realization that we are not G-d and that we truly can't get to heaven without His help! We recognize how much our arrogance of "I can do it myself" heart has hurt HaShem, Yeshua and others we love. Therefore we regret our sin . . .
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Now that we are empty and willing to follow HaShem's lead, Yeshua tells us not to worry for worldly things. Does not HaShem care for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field? If Hashem cares for these why should He not care for us, His children? Seek salvation, put your focus on G-d alone and He will provide. Notice this cries out loudly against the lie that going to Church once a week is enough. Don't make the mistakes of the godless who abandon everything for the far easier path! There is no easier path than what Yeshua has called, for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Yeshua calls us to perfection, but we first must empty ourselves completely of our own desires for we really do not know what is best for us. And we are still called to love Avinu with all of our heart, mind and strength! All Yeshua is saying here is that we are free of judgment as long as we are in the process of seeking salvation in faith. True faith doesn't worry because HaShem cares for those He loves! This is a promise and HaShem always keeps His promises. For whatever we need, He has already taken care of. Whatever we do, we simply ask His direction and go forth; therefore, to worry is a lack of faith. Yet even faith has a quantifier:
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get."
We actually define the parameters of our own judgment on Judgment Day! It is in how we judge others that we ourselves will be judged. If we are merciful, HaShem will be merciful with us and likewise if we are harsh, then in harshness we shall be judged!
But are we not to help others out of sin? Is it truly love if we sit idly by as our neighbor descends into darkness? To this Yeshua explains:
"Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but do not see the log that is in your own eyes? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,'when there is a log in your eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matt.7.3-5
As Saint Francis echoed, "Evangelize always, speak only when absolutely necessary." True teaching comes from the repentant heart and shows clearly in one's actions, not just words. And a truly repentant heart also can see clearly what sort of correction a person may need or even if they are able to take correction at all. This is what Yeshua meant when He said:
"Do not give to dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you."
Dogs and swine are not born as such, but made through hypocrisy and false teaching (this includes teaching the wrong lessons at the wrong time). Therefore, if we wish to help others we must first uproot hypocrisy from our own lives (the previous commandment). This is the root of all humility because it requires us to see our flaws before we are allowed to look at another person's flaw(s). It also helps us see more clearly where our brother is at and not to try to tell them something he may not be able to handle until circumstances change for him. It also could be from your own walk in experience to show how you, step by step, came out of the same sin. This is why it is so important to be humble and lowly heart, as Yeshua says:
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
When we see our flaws and the pain they cause others we love, we crumble because of the realization of our own sins. Therefore we must go before HaShem's altar in true repentance; then we realize that the sins of others are not simply "things they must change", but rather an understanding of "but if for the Grace of G-d I myself might be . . ." (part of an old Catholic prayer). This response can provoke a heart similar to the one who repented while being crucified beside HaMoshiach:
"Do you not fear G-d, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation." Lk.23.40
We are all condemned to death, except for the grace of G-d and this grace is based partially on how we judge our neighbor. Therefore although we are called to correct those in sin, we are warned to do so in love and in the same way HaShem did to us before we walked in His Light. It is this understanding that draws us to His Word, hungry to understand HaMoshiach and Avinu in all they say and do. We are also drawn to those who walk in the Light and we seek to follow their examples just as they followed HaMoshiach. Lastly, we are drawn to the Church and His Eucharist so that we can be purified by dwelling in His Presence. This is what Yeshua meant by the Words:
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . ."
Yeshua tells us we will find the answers we seek and He will help us do what we cannot do alone. All we need to do is . .
"Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you, For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
We are to ask, seek, and knock. We ask Avi through prayer for:
"What man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give Him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
We seek Him through the study in His Word, through the Eucharistic Celebration, and also in how we behave with our fellow man. We knock on the gate of the Good Shepherd when we are persistent in prayer and we don't give up on searching for truth as well as long suffering and fast at forgiving. When we do all these things, the Good Shepherd reminds us that:
" . . . whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the Law and the prophets."
There is but one commandment mentioned above. In this you will find all the laws of the prophets and of our Church. It was Hillel who first said this to a man who stood on one foot. As the story goes, a man wanted to learn Torah standing on one foot. So he sought out the great teacher Rav Shimei. When he found Shimei he told the great rabbi that he would convert to the true faith and do all that HaShem commanded if Shimei would teach him the whole Torah while he stood on one foot. Shimei condemned him with great anger for his shallowness and sent him away. Undaunted he sought out the second greatest rabbi at that time, Rav Hillel. Again he asked his question to the great rabbi with his students standing all around him. Unflustered Hillel said yes, he could, so the man quickly stood on one leg and listened. "Whatever you wish that man would do to you, do so to them, all the rest is commentary."
This story, like many of the stories of Torah and Talmud are made richer by the knowledge of the names. Hillel the wise rabbi means "to praise G-d" and the second famous rabbi of antiquity means "famous". On another note, to stand is to be planted in a firm foundation or to be steadfast in one's position, but if one stands on one leg, you are now in a shaky situation or wavering from a concrete stand. It was this man of the Goyim (the nations) was neither "hot or cold" in his faith but he still hungered after truth. So he went to the famous teachers of his time but they turned him away as a sinner and a fool. After this he sought out "to praise G-d" and "to Praise G-d" told him "Whatever you wish that man would do to you, do so to them, all the rest is commentary." In other words, do not seek fame but rather go instead to they who give praise to G-d alone, that is, the humble who put the authority where it belongs, with HaShem. These in turn will lead you to the greatest commandment. How do we see the greatest commandment (the V'ahefta-to love HaShem with your whole heart, mind and soul)?
Let's look again at Yeshua's Words:
“ . . . whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the Law and the prophets.”
and lets make one small change:
“Whatever you wish that G-d would do to you, do so to Him”
G-d so loved us that He stretched out His hands and died for our sins. Do we love Him as much? And yet this is what He asks of us, to take up our cross and follow Him even unto death and it’s with this love that we are to treat those around us. It is from this realization, the realization that we are sinners worthy of death, but that while we were still such sinners, Avinu gave us His only Son, that if we believe in Him, we shall have life eternal. Not because we earned it but because He loves us and as He has shown us mercy so too are we called to be merciful to others. This mercy is a direct growth from our own hunger for righteousness that preceded it. And from this mercy we show to others and our growing understanding of His great gift He gave to us that we become “pure in heart”, because the Ruach HaKadosh comes to do house cleaning there. This is why we see G-d because He is indwelling in our hearts and minds. This is faith, the whole heart and mind and strength kind of faith that HaMoshiach came to give us and sealed upon the cross.
Yet even as it is a free gift for the asking few ask, few seek, and even fewer knock. This is why He tells us:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way easy , that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
The original Greek helps us understand what Yeshua was trying to say better than the English. The word narrow here comes from “ thlibo” which means “to press” like trying to get through a doorway that is mostly closed. The “narrow in gate here is from “stenos” which means “to groan” and in Lk.13.24 which holds a parallel passage Luke wrote the word “agonizomai” or “to strive” in this same context. This words are not usually placed beside gate but Yeshua put them here to drive home the difficulty of true faith. This is a gate we must squeeze through with the greatest difficulty (agonizomai is the root of the English word agonize as in agonizing pain).
In contrast the word “wide” comes from the Greek word “platus” which means an open expanse like the great plains (the word “plain” in fact comes from the Greek word “platus by no sheer coincidence). No mountains, hills, or deep valleys, not even a tree or two to circumvent just a wide flat easy way like Auntie Em’s back yard. So if “salvation by faith”, true faith, is an agonizingly painful, squeeze yourself through the vice type of faith then why do most people think it’s “just say the sinners prayer” or a simple recipe of do’s and don’ts? We are still called to perfection even though being perfect is impossible for us to do on our own because we are not called to do anything on our own! According to the Word only 1 out of 1000 ever find that path as Job.9.2-3, Job.23-24, Eccl.7.27-28, 1Cor.1.26, and 2 Esdras 7.50-51 and 60-61 all state. Yet faith means we allow HaShem to perfect us, correct us, refine us. After all are babies born fully formed when they come forth from the womb? Neither are those who are born into new Life in HaMoshiach!
Nowhere in this sermon does Yeshua fain that faith, true faith, the same faith in which we are justified in, is easy. True faith makes a change in those possessing it and all of these changes are for the good even if we at first may struggle and even resist them when HaShem calls them in our lives. But this is not what most “preachers or even many priest speak about from the pulpit because it’s not popular and if they do, people complain about “father always sermonizing to us” and go elsewhere (we hear this all the time). And this is the gage on which we can understand true teaches as Yeshua states:
“Beware of false prophets, who come in sheep’s clothing but inward are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So every sound tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, not can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.”
The Word of G-d is a seed, that when planted into good soil the seed breaks forth in new life bringing forth the main branch, which is Yeshua Who dwells within our hearts and minds, and in due time This Branch brings forth the fruit and within each fruit are new seeds just like the one He planted into the heart of the Talmudine. The seeds that comes forth from the true vine differ in no way from the seed from which they began. These are Heirloom seeds that breed true. This doesn’t mean we can’t make mistakes. Even an good tree can need pruning to bring out more fruit and to make it healthy enough to fight off diseases (Jn.15.2). But a true tree is humble and even its poorer fruit still taste good even though it maybe small. This is because the true tree is sweeten by humility that can only come from G-d. When you correct them they see their wrong and repent.
The false prophet comes “in sheep’s clothing”. If clothed like the sheep they must resemble them outwardly with their outward ritual and words. This is affirmed elsewhere in the Word:
“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matt.24.24
“I know that after my departure (Paul is speaking) fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20.29-30”
These wolves, again come “from among your own selves”.
“And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles Christ. And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end corresponds to their deeds.” 2 Cor.11.12-13
These false teachers are of hasatan.
“Indeed all who desire to live a G-dly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived.” 2 Tim.3.12-13
Note two things: first those that seek true righteousness will be persecuted. This is part and parcel of the agonizingly narrow path we are called to tread upon. Second, not only are the impostors deceivers they are also the deceived as Pope St. Peter taught us:
“First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by impulse of man, but by the Holy Spirit spoke from G-d. But false prophets also arose among the people. Just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master Who bought them, bringing upon them sift destruction. And many will follow their licentious, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled." 2 Pet.1.20-2
In recent years this prophecy has become ever so more true as priests and ministers who decried sin from the pulpit walked in it in their own lives. How do they deny Yeshua? By underminding His Word by walking in the footstep of the hypocrate. This was the exact same sin that plagued the scribes and Pharisees and it is alive not only among the leadership but also within their flock. Yet interesting even their sins reveal the truth just as greater darkness serves to exposes that Light that is still shining and cannot put this Light out.
Ritual, though not evil in and of itself, tells nothing of the inward heart and words. As James states so elegantly:
“You believe that G-d is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and shutter. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren?”
This was the fault of the scribes and Pharisees who came to John reeking of ritualistic pride and high fluting words. Yet even though the words they spoke came straight out of Torah, this did not stop John from saying:
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you G-d is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
John could have just as well said this to all who claim salvation based on their Church membership or because they said the “sinner prayer”. We are not saying however that all Church goers or those that prayed the “sinners prayer” are false, only that this isn’t enough to know if they are with HaMoshiach, in fact, according to HaMoshiach’s own words such things guarantee nothing. What matters are the works that come forth from the seed. This is why He states:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘L-rd, L-rd’ stall enter the kingdom of heaven but he that does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘L-rd, L-rd, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you evil doers.’”
Prophesy is not that same as telling the future but means speaking the very Word of G-d. These are not pagan, then that He locks from the kingdom of heaven but those that appear to be true believers. They spoke His Word out without fear and even preformed miracles yet they still lacked the sacred seed of faith that brings forth true works of Holiness. This comes from a personnel relationship and not one wrought from Church membership or fancy words.
“Everyone then who hears These Words of Mine and does them will be a wise man, who built His house upon The Rock; and the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the Rock.”
Yeshua is the Rock and upon Him we must base our faith! “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house” are a promise even more, a blessing! Did He not tell us:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake” and again “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil on My account. Rejoice and be glad.”
It is for this reason the house founded on the Rock does not fear persecution, this is part of the job, fully to be expected and a sign we are indeed bearing good fruit “that befits repentance”.
Was not Saint Stephen not harmed by the hatred of those that sought his life. Did he not speak elegantly to them and did not HaShem show Him His Glory just before they stoned Him? “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of G-d, and Jesus standing at the right hand of G-d; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of G-d.” and at his death did he not beg HaShem “L-rd, do not hold this sin against them.” Even in death, being stoned unjustly he would not judge his fellow men and even asked Hashem to forgive them.
“And every one who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who build his house on sand; and the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.”
Unlike the faithful the second man builds his house on “sand”, a very poor foundation. Persecution came and this faith could not survive. So wait therefore for our L-rd in faith and truth for these words He spoke still hold until eternity. Torah He told us still stands but only if it is upheld by faith. True we cannot keep it perfectly, not by ourselves but by the grace of HaShem we can keep all HaShem’s Laws. And what is His Law? All these things are to treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated. If we do thus we will not judge harshly but with mercy as our Father judges us. If HaMoshiach lives within us it will show in our lives and this is turn will bring persecution, which is something to rejoice for they persecuted the prophets and HaMoshiach before us. Are we no different. We are not of this world so worry not and seek Him alone. This is what we see if any see anything more or see something different please let us know.
Humbly in HaMoshiach, Shalom l'chiam,
