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When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13 – 16
I recently had a discussion with a good friend and brother in the faith that ultimately led us to an examination of the character of the Messiah. Specifically, it highlighted the contrast between what we see presented in scripture and what is commonly perceived by mainstream culture today. The issue as I see it lies in a lack of attention to detail… something I myself have been guilty of although that began to change following the direct intervention of the King Himself. The thing is, most of what I see portrayed in modernity concerning the nature and character of Yeshua / Jesus, is factually incorrect.
This discrepancy appears to stem from a desire to match the portrayal to the common perception of His mission and purpose, but you know what I have to say about “good intentions”. The result of this is what I have come to refer to as a “bubblegum and lollipop Jesus”. Of course, this pop-culture view of the Messiah couldn’t be further from the truth, but rather than take my word for it, let’s examine the record and allow it to speak for itself. Remember, the understanding scripture should mold our perceptions – not the other way around.
Admittedly, I myself have held favored certain views and portrayals of Jesus over the years. Jesus of Nazareth leaps to mind, dated though it may be. Within this well produced series, we see what has become an all too familiar trope that forms but a minor example of the kind of misrepresentation that I’m highlighting; the “soft spoken Jesus”. Recent forays into retelling the ministry of Messiah have done a better job than in ages past – we at least don’t see so many blonde-haired blue-eyed Jesus’ running around the Judean wilderness – but the “soft-spoken”, if not outright anemic portrayal seems to persist.
Jesus went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. So a report about him spread throughout Syria. People brought to him all who suffered with various illnesses and afflictions, those who had seizures, paralytics, and those possessed by demons, and he healed them. And large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan River.
Matthew 4:23 – 25
In Matthew 5, we are presented with the “Sermon on the Mount”, wherein the same “large crowds” which formed the subject of the final verse in chapter four follow him up. This sermon continues through the entirety of chapter seven and is quite powerful. Given the absence of microphones and PA systems, how exactly did such a meek and soft spoken individual manage to preach effectively to such an enormous gathering? How would one mistake such an individual for John the Baptist or Elijah for that matter? Neither of these individuals is noted for their subtlety… or am I missing something?
You are likely familiar with the following:
He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables. So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will devour me.”
John 2:14 – 17
Have you considered the implications of the bolded portion of this passage? This does not describe a sudden, spontaneous outburst, but a premeditated act defying the status quo in order to uphold the established distinction between the Holy and the profane. What’s more is that ardent students of scripture may note that this would have occurred in the Court of the Gentiles… so it additionally stands a prophetic picture of things to come.
Now, I supposed a rail-thin pipsqueak could run around flailing a rope and freak a few people out, but speaking for myself, he’s not likely to cow me. None of this however, would invoke an image of a man reported to be the son of a tektōn.
Consider once again, the story of “the Adulterous Woman”:
The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
John 8:3 – 8
Have a look at Deuteronomy 22 to ascertain exactly what the “trap” was… the question I am putting forth is this; where these men to have brought charges before Yeshua rightly, would His answer have been different? Wouldn’t it have to have been in order for Him to have claimed not to be abolishing the Torah?
If you actually referenced the relevant portion of the Torah, you may be feeling a bit uneasy. Good – this isn’t a small matter. It does serve to illustrate the point I’m making… in fact, those passages speaking of “fear and trembling” should start hitting home right about now.
Modern culture has produced a Jesus of their own ideas and of their own liking. It is however, a far cry from the reality of His person. Sadly, this false idea has invaded the churches and tainted the view of many within, leading them down an ideological path that finds itself powerless to actively condemn nearly anything.
Let me illustrate just how far off the mark this is…
Why are your clothes red? Why do you look like someone who has stomped on grapes in a vat?
“I have stomped grapes in the winepress all by myself; no one from the nations joined me. I stomped on them in my anger; I trampled them down in my rage. Their juice splashed on my garments, and stained all my clothes. For I looked forward to the day of vengeance, and then payback time arrived.
Isaiah 63:3 – 4
Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war. His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God. The armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, were following him on white horses. From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful.
Revelation 19:11 – 15
While popular culture would have us all believe that “I’m okay, you’re okay”, the Word of the Living God paints a very different picture.
If you call yourself Christian, Messianic, Believer, Disciple or any of similar terminology, what you’re actually claiming is citizenship in the kingdom and Family of God – a citizenship which can only be claimed through the very Messiah whose clothing will be drenched in the blood of His enemies. Do you understand this?
Not only was Yeshua / Jesus not soft spoken or meek, He still isn’t. He is the King of and the very Word that brought the entire Universe into being. He is the force that binds it together still. He is the Judge, Jury and Executioner with regards to meeting out justice and, come the end of the age, His hand will not be stayed. He goes so far as to say that He “looks forward to it.” Strong words from a strong King.
His judgement will be rendered righteously and in accordance with the Law. Did you know that? Did you know the Kingdom has a “Constitution” and a body of “Law”? Did you know that these are not some nebulous ideas, but have been recorded in scripture and that we can know them right now? If we claim citizenship in this Kingdom, why would not desire to know it’s ways and laws?
All my life I’d labored under the delusion that, “the law was done away with”, or that “grace supersedes the law”, or that “the law was for the Jews”. I gave no thought to what the Creator called food and what He declared unfit. I gave no consideration to what was truly Holy or what was profane. I gave no thought to the Sabbath of the Holy Days…
Then all who survive from all the nations that came to attack Jerusalem will go up annually to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and to observe the Feast of Shelters. But if any of the nations anywhere on earth refuse to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, they will get no rain. If the Egyptians will not do so, they will get no rain—instead there will be the kind of plague that the Lord inflicts on any nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Shelters. This will be the punishment of Egypt and of all nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Shelters.
Zechariah 14:16 – 19
Still think “that’s for the Jews”?
I don’t know about you, but I see gentiles being told to honor and observe Sukkot – in Jerusalem no less – or not get needed rain. How exactly does that jive with “not under the Law” theology?
I could go on – in fact, I could cite example after example, citing chapter and verse throughout – illustrating that things are not the way we’ve been told they are. There will be no harp-playing cloud dwellers in the hereafter and none but the First-fruits have yet been resurrected to everlasting life… but my purpose is not to provide you with an exhaustive list or convince you to agree with me – it’s to get you to think.
Think about His character – think on what He says and plainly reveals about Himself in scripture. Think about what it means to call yourself His disciple. Think about what the difference is between the Holy and the profane.
Stop overlooking the details… and think.
Until next time,
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You