Did the Messiah "Just Love Everybody"?

We need to talk about this. Right out of the gate, let's turn our attention to John 3:16.

"For YHWH so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but possess everlasting life."

YES. There is no doubt that the Creator does indeed love us. No matter our past, no matter our circumstances now. 

Lately I've been hearing a lot of discussions and seeing articles about how the Messiah "just loved everyone." And while that's true, I take issue with the point that is (typically) being made. That point is often that believers need to be quiet and not say anything about the things that others or society are doing that the Bible calls sin. We are told that saying things is rude and unloving and definitely not what the Messiah would have done. The Messiah gets presented as jovial guy who is never bothered by what others are doing; he hangs out with all sorts of people, never saying anything that could be offensive or hurt anyone's feelings. And I think...are we reading the same Bible?

How much Scripture do you have to skip to think the Messiah did nothing but hug everyone and avoid touchy topics? Yahusha frequently offended others, and didn't hesitate to correct wrong beliefs.

To brush up, the Messiah is the guy who...

-Called a follower Satan.

-Got out a whip, turned over tables, and threw merchants out of the Temple.

-Tarried in going to see his friend who was sick, letting him die, and devastating family who had asked him to come.

-Told us to judge others!

-Caused the death of an entire herd of pigs, to the financial detriment of the farmer.

-Deliberately put things into parables making them hard to understand.

-Totally ruined a Hanukkah party.

-Once told a woman who was serving and feeding him that she wasn't even doing the most important thing.

-Frequently told people to stop sinning.

Many of these stories don't seem so nice and kind and warm and fuzzy do they? How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of any of those interactions? Wouldn't you be upset if he destroyed your whole business and financial livelihood? Or publicly forced you out of a church? Would you be hurt if you were trying to give him good advice and he called you Satan? Or if you asked him to come and heal your dying brother and he deliberately didn't show up? If he called your lifestyle and choices sin and told you to change, would that sting a little?

That last one really gets me. You know what "sin no more" implies? That you're sinning. That you're making choices that aren't acceptable to the Creator. This statement would not be appreciated on a college campus today, or really anywhere for that matter.

Please, please hear me: I am not saying our Messiah wasn't loving or doesn't love everyone. But I do think he needs to be accurately represented. We need to realize that love isn't all compliments and presents, sometimes love looks like saying the hard things and having uncomfortable discussions. Loving someone doesn't mean that you don't confront lies they believe or hold them accountable for the choices they are making. Love doesn't mean that you just sit there and smile while someone says or does whatever they want, to their own detriment.

When you tell someone to stop sinning, are your words condemning or freeing and empowering? If you just hear, "You're doing this wrong," that causes frustration and hurt. But if you hear, "This is how you live your best possible life," that gives direction and shows us what is possible. Love is empowering someone to stop sinning, so that they might be free from the pain and bondage they are in. 

The Messiah does love people and we are called to that as well. Love means sticking up for the truth. To be sure, we need to use wisdom at all times - especially when we are sharing truth with someone. Work to control your tongue and speak words that are beneficial to those who hear them. Pray for wisdom about what to say and when to do that, please. We have all seen too many believers use the word as a weapon to attack someone, when we should be using it to plant seeds of truth and hope. Ask for wisdom and discernment and remember that real love and compassion is sharing the hope and the promises of YHWH and his Messiah with the people we encounter, no matter what we may get called or how we are treated for doing that. Love is being willing to be slandered to share his hope with others. Love doesn't hide behind lies. Love means risking our own comfort so that someone else can catch a glimpse of the fullness that the Creator has for them.

Love like the Messiah!

Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot

Here's a great theme idea for Shavuot: fruit! Since Shavuot is a celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit (as well as the giving of the Torah), what better time to celebrate the fruit of the Spirit?

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Take time to reflect on these and where you're seeing fruit in your life. And then consider incorporating fruit into your celebration of the Biblical holiday of Shavuot! 

DIY Fruit Slice Balloons from Studio DIY

Fruit Pizza from Pinch of Yum

Fruit Infused Water from Studio DIY

Dragon Fruit Soap Popsicles from A Beautiful Mess

Fruit Slice Cakes from Studio DIY

Agua Fresca from Cookie and Kate

DIY Fruit Necklaces from Sugar & Cloth

Tropical Papaya Bowls from Minimalist Baker

DIY Fruit Balloon Garland from Studio DIY

Strawberry Salsa from Cookie and Kate

DIY Foldable Paper Strawberry Garland from Studio DIY

Fruit Honeycombs from The House That Lars Built

Lemon Ginger Fruit Salad from A Beautiful Mess

DIY Fruit Koozies from Sugar & Cloth

DIY Fruit-Inspired Mini Party Hats from Studio DIY

May the fruit of the Holy Spirit be seen in your life!

Want to learn more about Shavuot and the other Biblical holidays?
-Here's an introduction of the Biblical holidays.
-What is Shavuot all about?
-Shavuot is found in the New Testament!
-Learn about ideas for celebrating Shavuot here.
-These Scriptures are great to read at Shavuot.

1 Corinthians 14:34 Does Not Mean Women Aren't Allowed to Speak

This post examines the infamous words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:34 that have lead the Christian church to believe that women aren't allowed to teach or speak. We will take a closer look at what this passage actually means and learn the truth about it, as well as come to a better understanding of the role of women in the faith community! 

Have you ever been told, "women should keep silent in the church," or that women can't teach men or be leaders? Much of that belief paradigm comes from this passage:

"Let your women be silent in the assemblies for they aren't allowed to speak; but let them subject themselves, as the law says. And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in an assembly." -1 Corinthians 14:34-35

On a cursory reading, this seems black and white doesn't it? Women can't speak in a congregation or church setting. But there is a major problem with this passage...can you spot it?

First let's take a look at some of the minor problems:

-This passage is talking about speaking and not teaching. There's no side note here that it's okay for women to teach other women or children, despite what the church often teaches.

-Does anyone really believe that women can't speak at all like this passage seems to say? Can they greet others? Correct a child? Tell the men the building is on fire?

-Not all women are married. So who are the single ladies supposed to direct their questions to?

-Husbands don't have all the answers to spiritual questions, even if they are believers.

-Sometimes it's improper for men to speak in an assembly too, depending on the circumstances and what's being said.


These are pretty significant flaws but have you spotted the biggest problem of all?

As the law says. As the word says. As it is written.

Can you find a verse in the Torah that says women aren't allowed to speak in an assembly? Nope, because the Bible doesn't say anything like this! There is nothing in the Old Testament that is consistent with the rest of the above passage. There are no laws from Scripture about women needing to be silent. And we know, from Scripture, that women weren't forbidden to speak or could only seek spiritual counsel from their husband. Women throughout Scripture were outspoken, and leaders. They are seen in the Temple and worshiping YHWH. They served as prophets, gave counsel, lead armies to war. They were queens, mothers of nations, song writers, worship leaders, intercessors. All of these things require speaking.

What does this mean? Is there error in Scripture? Was one of the premier Bible teachers wrong? Paul, the author of Corinthians, was deeply familiar with the Torah. How could he have made an error like this?

Either...

1. This section was added by someone other than Paul, the author. This would be sin as Scripture says that it is wrong to add to or take away from Scripture, so we shouldn't be holding this up as sound doctrine.

or...

2. Paul is quoting someone else's opinion, not making a declaration. 

Paul often used what is called a 'straw man' approach in his writings, basically meaning he would contrast different ideas. A good example of this would be in Romans 7. When we don't catch that he is doing this (either contrasting different beliefs, or quoting someone else's belief), his writings get confusing and, as Peter said, hard to understand.

Either way Paul was not advocating for women to be silent!

It's important to realize that Paul was incredibly familiar with Scripture and would not have incorrectly quoted it. Many scholars believe that he would have memorized the entire Old Testament. He was fully aware that Scripture does not forbid women from speaking in a congregational setting or from roles of ministry. We see that Paul himself didn't feel that way, and frequently mentioned women he worked with in ministry.

We also need to pay attention to the context of these two sentences. At this point in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul has spent more than the last two chapters talking about Spiritual gifts - specifically speaking in tongues. Just a few verses prior he even specified that both genders should speak in tongues, so does it make any sense to go back on that directive a couple of sentences later?

The very next verse cues us in even more.

"Or did the Word of YHWH start with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?" -1 Corinthians 14:36

Paul is calling them out for incorrectly claiming that Scripture says women can't speak in an assembly. It sounds like Paul says, "Nice try. We all know the Bible. And that's not what it says." Or, "Seriously? Do you think you guys are the only ones with a copy of Scripture? Because we all know that's not in it."

And then Paul encourages everyone to desire to prophesy and expressly says not to forbid speaking in tongues. As we can see, he is not forbidding women to speak or teach. He is quoting someone else's false teaching and correcting it by encouraging both genders to practice their spiritual gifts!

Related posts:
The Myth and Meaning of 'I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach'
The Significance of Sarah in the Bible
Overlooked Truths in Proverbs 31
Who Was Phoebe in the Bible?

Write the Torah on Their Hearts Printable

 

Need a verse to inspire you at home? How about this significant statement from Hebrews?

"I will put my Torah in their minds and write it on their hearts." -Hebrews 8:10

Take note that this is a New Testament verse not just talking about the Torah in a positive way, but promising that it would be written on the hearts and minds of believers! This is not something that happened just in the past - this is also for us today. Print this off as a reminder of this Biblical truth. 

Click here to download this printable from Hebrews. It's free for your personal use.