Two or Three
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” John 14:23 NASB
We will come – We need a partner, not a plan. We don’t need a plan. In my experience, every life plan eventually falls apart. Human beings don’t see well enough into the future to make a plan that always works. Furthermore, plans often take the form of a list of rules and actions. They tend to become rigid and therefore, breakable. Living by a plan often prevents adaptation to the battering of the world, producing discouragement. If God had a wonderful plan for my life, I have long ago destroyed it with sins. With that model in mind, my “plan” is second best, or far worse, not anywhere near the best that God once had in mind. Plans just don’t fit what happens in life. Fortunately, God doesn’t provide a plan. He provides a purpose and a partnership.
Yesterday we took at look at keeping the commandments. We discovered that being on the way describes all believers. Today we discover that signing on to God’s purpose means I get more than one partner. “We will come,” says Yeshua (eleusometha). It’s not too difficult to imagine that “we” includes His promise to send the Comforter too. So, “where two or three are gathered together” can be just you or just me walking with our three partners. All for one. You and I have plenty of divine help whenever it’s needed. By the way, this is a promise, not a platitude. Many friends may tell you, “I’m there for you,” but when you really need them they are nowhere to be found. Not so with the partnership Yeshua promises. “I will not leave you orphans,” He says and He means it.
Eleusomai is the future tense of erchomai (to come, to go, to move along in any direction). When this verb is translated “to come” according to the context, it implies movement toward a person or place. In other words, sometime after Yeshua spoke these words, He fully intended to move toward His followers – and He promised to bring some company with Him. There is a clear picture of this action in the parable of the two sons, one whom we call “the prodigal.” The father sees his son a long way off. He doesn’t wait for the son to arrive. He runs toward him, embracing him. We need to add this parable picture to Yeshua’s promise. Yeshua, the Father and the Comforter are not leisurely strolling in our direction. They are coming as fast as they can. They are running to our aid and protection.
Are you struggling with keeping the commandments? Take a deep breath and look up. Just there, on the horizon, Yeshua, the Father and the Spirit are rushing to your aid. If you just stand still, they will be here quickly. If you step toward them, they will arrive even sooner.
Topical Index: we will come, erchomai, John 14:23, partner
When God Ran
Lyrics by Benny Hester
Chorus:
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran
I am so thankful I have three/3 PERFECT PARTNERS in my life – they can’t lie to me, defraud me, betray me – THEY will always be honest, true, loving me as Christ loves the church – there is no one that I can depend on like I can depend on THEM. Thank You Father for Your Son & the Comforter – again you are our Provision & more than enough… ♥
God in Search of Man: A Philosphy of Judaism
Abraham Joshua Heschel
Chapter 35 Mitsvah and Sin/page 363
To the mind of the Jew mitsvah bears more reality and is a term more frequently and more prominently used than averah. In the Christian vocabulary the frequency and importance of the two terms is just the reverse. Christianity has not taken over the idea of mitsvah and, as we have seen, there is no precise equivalent for it in Western languages. On the other hand, the term “sin” has assumed the connotation of something substantial, a meaning not implied in averah.
Life revolves around the right and the wrong deed, but we have been trained to be mitsvah-conscious than averah or sin conscious……. Skip a paragraph and the next section is,
“For We Have Sinned”
Both poles, mitsvah and sin, are real. We are taught to be mitsvah-conscious in regard to the present moment, to be mindful of the constant oppurtunity to do the good. We are also taught to be sin-conscious in regard to the past,to realize and to remember our failures and transgressions. The power of both mitsvah and sin must be fully apprehended. The exclusive fear of sin may lead to a deprecation of works; the exclusive appreciation of mitsvah may lead to self-righteousness. The first may result in a denial of the evidence of history, in an overly eschatological view; the second is a denial of Messianism, in a secular optimism. Against both deviations Judaism warns repeatedly.
Yes, I know this work by Heschel. HE IS A GENIUS at capturing the essentials. I only wish I could come within 10 miles of his intellect and spiritual depth.
Mr. Heschel had a dream similiar to King Solomon, in which God came to him, and declared He would give him anything he would ask for! He asked for WONDER! I believe this was a key to his genius. I believe we all can learn from this incredible story and learn to live in “radical amazement” before our Father. I am glad, and it brings me much delight that I can learn from you and others on this blog. Most of all though; may we learn from our greatest partnership, (John 14:23).
Mitsvah (from the root tzavah – to constitute, appoint, command or charge) literally means “out of (or for the sake of) that which is commanded, appointed, constituted or charged.”
The Hebrew word picture of tzavah is very profound. The letters are tsade-vav-hey. The word picture is “what comes from being joined to righteousness”. The plural of mitsvah is mitsvot – usually translated in our English Bibles as “commandments”.
The word picture for mitsvot is “out of/for the sake of righteousness joined to covenant”. To do mitsvot – to obey the commandments of God – is to act righteously for the sake of the covenant with our Creator.
Thank you Rodney.
thank you Rodney. Words do matter, especially these words (mitsvah/tzavah) found within G-d’s book. Whether Hebrew or Greek, G-d says what He means and means what He says. He is not like us and wastes no words. This also gives more weight to “by your words you will be justified and by your words you shall be condemned,” (Matthew 12.37) and “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12.36). James also had/has much to say concerning the taming of the tongue.
Ephesian 2.8 and 9 are some of our favorite verses to quote concerning salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”- and so because we are flighty, reactionary creatures, we run from even the idea of “works”. But, what is “the rest of the story?”- As we continue in G-d’s book, lo and behold, verses 8 and 9 are followed by (lonely and forgotten) verse 10. By grace, through faith, unto good works. (Mitzvah). We are not regenerated and then set on a shelf somewhere waiting for the return of our heavenly Bridegroom. No, not at all. We are the (active) body of Christ- we are His hands and His feet to demonstrate to this (yet unregenerated, fallen) world the love of G-d which is ours through Christ our LORD, -our ADONAI.
As I read your words this morning, I was impacted by these words: “that which is commanded, appointed, constituted or charged.” YHWH has given unto us, His word(s), the Lamb’s book of life, G-d’s instruction manual. We, the students/disciples/learners/talmudim have a Teacher and we use a G-d-breathed Textbook wherein we also may say along with our Master, “it is written.” Hallelu Yah for the word of G-d. Where would we be without our instruction manual? lol!- Yes, WAEFRTM, (when all else fails, read the manual!) Hebrews 4.12
Indeed, brother Carl – the “good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do” are the mitzvot – the words of the covenant, the commandments, statutes and ordinances that for so long we have consigned to being merely part of history, because we have not understood the covenant(s) into which we have been brought through the marvellous grace and favour of our Creator and King.
Have you been listening to Skip’s series on Matthew? Today I had to drive some distance for a work-related meeting (4 hours each way, for a 1 1/2 hour meeting) and that gave me a chance to catch up on the last 4 sessions of the Matthew series. Skip made a very interesting point about the verses you quoted in Matthew 12 about “idle words”. The Greek word argos, translated here as “idle” carries the sense of something that bears no fruit or does not produce the expected results e.g. a broken promise or vow.
Seems to me that that would be the very opposite of mitzvah – to say that we will obey and then not do it. Wasn’t there a parable about that? About the man who asked his sons to go and work in his vineyard? One said he would, and didn’t; the other said no, but later changed his mind and went and did as he was asked. Which son did mitzvah, and which spoke “idle words”?
Father, forgive me for the many times that I have spoken idle words. Teach me instead to remember (and do) mitzvah.
Shabbat Shalom.
Amein, my brother! Shema, O Israel – hear and obey, “remember and do.” Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of G-d and put it into practice.” (Luke 11.28) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
One man testified- “instead of an outbreak of revival,- what if we had and outbreak of obedience?” Yes, what would happen? -What are the consequences of obedience?
“In the end we will find, the way of holiness and the way of happiness are the same path.” Why don’t we try living life G-d’s way? lol!- “Try it..-you’ll like it!”
“..test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Malachi 3.10) “I am come that you might have life..” (John 10.10)
Comfort and Encouragement was requested today and comfort and encouragement was exactly what I received.
Thank you Father and Thank You Skip!
TEHILIM
(Book of Psalms)
Chapter 91: 1
O thou that dwellest in the covert of the Most High-(Elyon), and abidest in the shadow of the Almighty-
(Shaddai);
2
I will say of HaShem –
(YHVH), who is my refuge and my fortress, my G-d-(Elohim), in whom I trust,
3
That He will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4
He will cover thee with His pinions, and under His wings shalt thou take refuge; His truth is a shield and a buckler.
5
Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day;
6
Of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7
A thousand may fall at Thy side, and ten thousand at Thy right hand; it shall not come nigh thee.
8
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the recompense of the wicked.
9
For thou hast made HaShem-(YHVH) who is my refuge, even the Most High-(Elyon), thy habitation.
10
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
11
For He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12
They shall bear thee upon their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and asp; the young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet.
14
‘Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
15
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and bring him to honour.
16
With long life will I satisfy him, and make Him to behold My salvation-(Yeshua).’
Names of G-d inserted by me.
Portions copyright © 1997 by Benyamin Pilant, All Rights Reserved
JPS Electronic Edition Copyright © 1998 by Larry Nelson, All Rights Reserved
This page maintained by Benyamin Pilant, bpilant@breslov.com
This song seems somehow relevant…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaia32TsPq0
Lifesong – Casting Crowns.
Empty Hands held high
Such Small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you
Chorus:
Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign your name
to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You
LORD, I give my life
A Living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be your hands and feet
So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You
Chorus
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You (x3)
Hi Skip. I must thank you for this wonderful awesome piece. (Im not so good with words as you are, but this comes from deep within my heart) This morning while I read it, I just broke before the Lord. He is so wonderful so far above my plans and ideas and that Father, Son and Comforter is with me always – it just opened up for me Thank you my friend. Thank you El Gibbor!
Thank you Ellen. Soon we will speak face-to-face about these precious things of God.
What a powerful and comforting picture of our Abba running to meet us! I often picture Him to be more aloof because He is so holy. The balance of that, His passion and joy at my return, is beautiful and encouraging.
Shalom brother Rodney and Carl. Thank you both for your comments concerning mitsvah and mitsvot. It seems to me within the body of Messiah we are great at calling people to Life in God, but not so much in how to teach them to live their lives before Him. This is where obedience to His commandments are so exciting!
2 Peter 1:3-11, His divine power has granted to us all things that to pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with stedfastness, and stedfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In relationship to this passage I heard a teaching a few years ago…… Not one time was mentioned of doing God’s mitsvot as revealed in Torah; or following the example of the One who brought fullness to Torah, and who lived out that fullness, Messiah Yeshua! “We have been robbed from!” The Christian church has brought people to Life in Yeshua, but then tries to teach them to live their lives apart from His Father’s commandments. They have divorced Yeshua from the very Father he loved and obeyed, and then teach others to do the same. And then have the audacity to tell the world that “they are true followers and teachers of the King and His kingdom.” I do not write this to condemn and stone anyone. Although, I am alarmed, angry, and frustrated! The King is so Compassionate, Kind, and Patient with us all, and for this I am so THANKFUL! “His divine power has granted us ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Thank you Abba for granting me the privelege of being by faith and your divine power, grafted into the commenwealth of Israel, and through the Ruach Hakodesh the blessings of life and godliness of doing your commandments.
AMEIN!
And if we Gentiles who have been grafted in would only live according to Torah, then we would in fact promote to jealousy those whom God chose to be His people – and we would all embrace the Messiah as one Body.
Shabbat Shalom Skip,
Thank you for your response. Torah was given for our blessing and the blessing of the nations, of the reality of the True and Living God. God’s glorious plan has never changed, and he has called us into this great adventure and partnership with Him. May He make us One, speedily and in our day!
“We need a partner, not a plan. We don’t need a plan. In my experience, every life plan eventually falls apart.”
Well I’ve been planning to respond to this post for several days now.
But between sick kids and being behind at work, I was beginning to wonder if I ever would.
So I watched the beginning of “To Live and Die in LA” this morning for a little inspiration.
The movie is all about “partnership,” in crime and above the law, and it involves three main characters:
– two undercover cops (“Chance” and John)
– one master counterfeiter (Eric “Rick” Masters)
When the master counterfeiter kills the older partner of a young, but highly skilled, secret service agent.
The secret service agent must disciple a new partner (John), while he focuses on tracking down the treacherous counterfeiter.
The first thing Chance tells his new partner is that he “plans” to “do whatever it takes” to find the killer, to get the job done.
And, while Chance does not have much of a plan, he does live by a “code.”
In which the most important point Chance tell John is that he would never “rollover on his partner.”
Now, as a writer myself, the thing I like most about the master counterfeiter.
Is that he produces best of breed “paper” and takes great pride in the quality of his “product.”
To achieve this level of quality, the master counterfeiter “models” his product on the US dollar.
Likewise to become a master secret service agent, John must overcome his fears.
And model his actions on his master, Chance; who is afraid of nothing.
I always liked the movie director, William Friedkin.
And agreed with the critics who say that To Live and Die in LA.
Is “Friedkin’s Finest Hour.”