"Exploring Christianity and the World’s Religions"

Judaism

December 8, 2002

 

The term "Judaism" is sometimes loosely used to include not only the faith of modern Jews but also that of the Old Testament. Sometimes it is used to include the entire Jewish way of life. It is best, however, to use the term "Judaism" to refer to the religion of the rabbis that developed from about 200 B.C. onward and crystallized following the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. This resulted in the abolition of sacrifices and the priesthood. Rather than being guided by priest, prophets, or kings, the rabbis became the authorities who established various laws and practices that had normative authority. In this way, Christianity is not described as a daughter religion of Judaism, but more correctly as a sister: both branched out from the Old Testament faith.

Before the eighteenth century, there was basically one kind of Judaism. Today there are three branches.

Of the 13 million Jews in the world, 4.1 are in Israel, 6.3 are in North and South America, and 900,000 in the former Soviet Union. In the United States there are over 6 million Jews alone.

The three branches of Judaism are the 1. Orthodox, 2. Conservative, 3. Reform

ORTHODOX JUDIASM

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

VIEW OF GOD IN ORTHODOX JUDIASM: God is spirit rather than form. He is a personal God – omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, and compassionate.

VIEW OF GOD IN REFORM JUDIASM: The concept of God is flexible and nondogmatic. It allows for a varied interpretation of the "God Concept" with a wide latitude for naturalists, mystics, supernaturalist, or religious humanists…. It holds that "the truth is that we do not know the truth".

VIEW OF GOD IN CHRISTIANTITY: God is one person represented in 3 forms: 1. God the Father 2. Jesus the son. 3. The Holy Spirit.

VIEW OF HUMAN KIND IN ORTHODOX JUDIASM: Humanity is morally neutral, with a good and evil inclination. A person can overcome ones evil bent and be perfected by his or her own efforts in observance to the law.

VIEW OF HUMAN KIND IN REFORM JUDIASM: Humanity’s nature is basically good. Through education, encouragement, and evolution one can actualize the potential already existing within.

VIEW OF HUMAN KIND IN CHRISTIANTIY: Humanity's nature is corrupted through original sin. Freedom from sin is possible through the blood of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22

VIEW OF THE TRADITION OF THE LAW in ORTHODOX JUDIASM: The law is the basis of Judaism – it leads to a nearness of God.

 

 

VIEW OF THE TRADITION OF THE LAW IN REFORM JUDIASM: The Law is an evolving ever-dynamic religious code that adapts to every age. It is maintained that if religious observances clash with the just demands of civilized society they must be dropped.

THE VIEW OF THE TRADITION OF THE LAW IN CHRISITIANITY: It no longer saves nor condemns the "Christ follower.

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."n 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."n 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."n 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:10-13

VIEW OF SIN: Orthodox Jews do not believe in "original sin". Rather one commits sin by breaking the commandments of the Law.

VIEW OF SIN in reform Judaism: Do not believe in "original sin". Sin is interpreted as the ills of society. Humanity is sometimes held to have a "divine spark" within.

VIEW OF SIN IN CHRISTIANITY: All humanity has inherited original sin.

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

RO 5:15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

RO 5:18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

RO 5:20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, Romans 5:12-20

VIEW OF SALVATION IN ORTHODOX JUDIASM: Repentance, prayer, and obedience to the Law are necessary for a proper relationship with God.

VIEW OF SALVATION IN REFORM JUDIASM: "Salvation" is obtained through the betterment of self and society. It is social improvement.

VIEW OF SALVATION IN CHRISTIANITY: "Salvation" is obtain by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

VIEW OF THE MESSIAH IN ORTHADOX JUDIASM: The Messiah is a human being who is not divine. He will restore the Jewish Kingdom and extend his righteous rule over the earth. He will execute judgement and right all wrongs.

THE VIEW OF THE MESSIAH IN REFORM JUDIASM: Instead of belief in the Messiah as a person or divine being, reform Jews favor the concept of a Utopian age toward which humankind is progressing, sometimes called the "Messianic age".

THE VIEW OF THE MESSIAH IN CHRISTIANITY: JESUS CHRIST WAS AND IS THE MESSIAH – THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

DISTINCTIVES IN SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP IN ORTHODOX JUDIASM: The synagogue is a house of prayer as well as study; social aspects are incidental. All prayers are recited in Hebrew. Men and women sit separately. The officiates face the same direction as the congregates.

IN REFORM JUDIASM, The synagogue is known as a "Temple". The service has been modernized and abbreviated. English, as well as Hebrew is used. Men and women sit together. Reform temples use choirs and organs in their worship services.

VIEW OF LIFE AFTER DEATH IN ORTHADOX JUDIASM:

There will be a physical resurrection. The righteous will exist forever with God in the "world to come." The unrighteous will suffer, but disagreement exists over their ultimate destiny.

VIEW OF LIFE AFTER DEATH IN REFORM JUDIASM: Generally, Reform Judaism has no concept of personal life after death. It is said that a person lives on in the accomplishments or in the minds of others. Some are influenced by Eastern mystical thought, where souls merge into one great impersonal life force.

VIEW OF LIFE AFTER DEATH IN CHRISTIANITY: THE "CHRIST FOLLOWER" WILL RECEIVE A NEW HEAVENLY BODY AND DWELL FOREVER IN HEAVEN WITH GOD.

1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2CO 5:6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Jewish celebrations and holidays:

HOW JEWISH PEOPLE VIEW THE GOSPEL

A Christian is considered to be any westerner or churchgoer who is a gentile. Since Jews are Jewish by virtue of birth, they assume Christians are those born into a Christian home. The idea of a personal faith commitment is not understood.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. Luke 2:21

22 Then came the Feast of Dedicationn at Jerusalem. It was winter, John 10:22

:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away--and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

MT 26:3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people." Matthew 26:1-5

PS 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

PS 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

PS 51:3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

PS 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

PS 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

PS 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner partsn;

you teachn me wisdom in the inmost place.

PS 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

PS 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

PS 51:9 Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

PS 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

PS 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

PS 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

PS 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

PS 51:14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

PS 51:15 O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

PS 51:16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

PS 51:17 The sacrifices of God aren a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

PS 51:18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

PS 51:19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings to delight you;

then bulls will be offered on your altar. Psalm 51

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD,

"when I will make a new covenant

with the house of Israel

and with the house of Judah.

JER 31:32 It will not be like the covenant

I made with their forefathers

when I took them by the hand

to lead them out of Egypt,

because they broke my covenant,

though I was a husband ton them,n "

declares the LORD.

JER 31:33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD.

"I will put my law in their minds

and write it on their hearts.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

JER 31:34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor,

or a man his brother, saying, `Know the LORD,'

because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:31-34

45 It is written in the Prophets: `They will all be taught by God.'n Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:45

7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. Exodus 12:7

The rock that provided water in the wilderness – a foreshadowing of Jesus talking about himself giving "living water" so that those who drink of it would never thirsts again.

6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6

10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

JN 4:11 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

JN 4:13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:10-14

37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, asn the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39

4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4

 

:8 The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. Numbers 21:8-9

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, John 3:14

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

GE 22:2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

GE 22:3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

GE 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

GE 22:8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

GE 22:9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

GE 22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

GE 22:13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ramn caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."

GE 22:15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspringn all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:1-18

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,n that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17

40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40

30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. Luke 11:30

:5 "If it pleases the king," she said, "and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. Esther 8:5-8

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,n that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inn Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

NOTE: All Jews believe that either the Messiah has not yet come or that he will never come!

Prophecy #1: The Messiah will be from the seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse, and David.

18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. Genesis 18:18

12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspringn will be reckoned. Genesis 21:12

17 "I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel.

He will crush the foreheads of Moab,

the skullsn ofn all the sons of Sheth.n

19 A ruler will come out of Jacob

and destroy the survivors of the city." Numbers 24:17,19

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,

nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,

until he comes to whom it belongsn

and the obedience of the nations is his. Genesis 49:10

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

ISA 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of power,

the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. Isaiah 11:1-2, 10

5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,

"when I will raise up to Davidn a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The LORD Our Righteousness. Jeremiah 23:5-6

Fulfillment of Prophecy #1

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,

the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,

the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse,

the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,

the son of Salmon,n the son of Nahshon,

LK 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,n

the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,

the son of Judah. Luke 3:31-33

Prophecy #2: Jesus will be born in Bethlehem

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

though you are small among the clansn of Judah,

out of you will come for me

one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose originsn are from of old,

from ancient times.n " Micah 5:2

Fulfillment of Prophecy #2:

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. Luke 2:4

Prophecy #3: Jesus will be despised and rejected by men,

A man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

:3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3

Fulfillment of prophecy #3

39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

MT 27:41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, `I am the Son of God.' " 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Matthew 27:39-44

38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Matthew 26:38

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31

26 Did not the Christn have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" Luke 24:26

Prophecy #4 :

"Be strong and do not fear; your God will come…Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the death unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy" Isiaiah 35:4-6

"the Lord anointed me to preach the good news to the poor" Isiah 61:1

Fulfillment of prophesy #4

4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosyn are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Matthew 11:4-5,

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed, Luke 4:18

Prophecy #5

:4 Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4

Fulfillment of prophecy #5

16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

"He took up our infirmities

and carried our diseases."n Matthew 8:16-17

Prophecy #6

12 They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. Numbers 9:12

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

16 Dogs have surrounded me;

a band of evil men has encircled me,

they have piercedn my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16

10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spiritn of grace and supplication. They will look onn me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 12:10

Fulfillment of prophecy #6:

33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"n 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."n John 19:33-37

Prophecy # 7

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

ISA 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6

Fulfillment of prophecy #7:

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

21 God made him who had no sin to be sinn for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

JN 11:51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, John 11:49-51

:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importancen: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3

Prophecy # 8

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Fulfillment of prophecy # 8

63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ,n the Son of God." Matthew 26:63

:12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Matthew 27:12

Prophecy # 9

12 Many bulls surround me;

strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.

PS 22:14 I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint.

My heart has turned to wax;

it has melted away within me.

PS 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;

you lay men in the dust of death.

PS 22:16 Dogs have surrounded me;

a band of evil men has encircled me,

they have piercedn my hands and my feet.

PS 22:17 I can count all my bones;

people stare and gloat over me.

PS 22:18 They divide my garments among them

and cast lots for my clothing. Psalm 22:12-18

 

Fulfilled of prophecy # 9

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

JN 19:24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."n

So this is what the soldiers did. John 19:23-24

Prophecy # 10

:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

and with the rich in his death,

though he had done no violence,

nor was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9

Fulfillment of prophecy # 10

4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." :57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:4, 57-60

41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Luke 23:41

21 God made him who had no sin to be sinn for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Prophecy #11

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,n

and he will divide the spoils with the strong,n

because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

Fulfillment of prophecy #11

38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Matthew 27:38,

37 It is written: `And he was numbered with the transgressors'n ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." Luke 22:37

24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. Luke 23:24

Prophecy #12

10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and though the LORD makesn his life a guilt offering,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

ISA 53:11 After the suffering of his soul,

he will see the light of lifen and be satisfiedn;

by his knowledgen my righteous servant will justify many,

and he will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:10-11

Fulfillment of prophecy #12

5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: Luke 24:5-6,

31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,n that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Acts 2:31-32

Prophecy #13

22 The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone; Psalm 118:22

14 and he will be a sanctuary;

but for both houses of Israel he will be

a stone that causes men to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall.

And for the people of Jerusalem he will be

a trap and a snare. Isaiah 8:14

Fulfillment of prophecy #13

:28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, `Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

MT 21:29 " `I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

MT 21:30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, `I will, sir,' but he did not go.

MT 21:31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted? "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

MT 21:33 "Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

MT 21:35 "The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. `They will respect my son,' he said.

MT 21:38 "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, `This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

MT 21:40 "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"

MT 21:41 "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."

MT 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: " `The stone the builders rejected has become the capstonen; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'n ? Matthew 21:28-42

CONCLUSION:

NOTE: Whereas Judaism is a religion, Christianity is a relationship.

NOTE: Whereas traditional Judaism requires something to do to be "saved", Christianity requires only reception of what Christ has already (accomplished) on the cross by faith

6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."n 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."n 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

GAL 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."n 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."n 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."n 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."n 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Galatians 3:6-14

"It is finished"!

Judiasm (religion) = do

Christianity (relationship) = done.

1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

HEB 10:5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; HEB 10:6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, `Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.' "n

HEB 10:8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

HEB 10:11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

HEB 10:15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."n

HEB 10:17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more."n 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10:1-18

NOTE: THE GOOD NEWS IS: THE PERFECT KEEPING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW IS NO LONGER A PREQUISITE FOR SAVATION.

NOTE: TO BE SAVED, A PERSON CAN ONLY RECEIVE THE FREE GIFT OF REDEMPTION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST BY FAITH!

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

NOTE: EVEN TODAY, GOD STILL DESIRES HIS CHILDREN TO SURRENDER TO HIM BY LIVING BY HIS WORD – NOT AS A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION BUT AS GRATITUDE FOR IT!

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"n and again, "The Lord will judge his people."n 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31

NOTE: The Best motivator for obeying God and doing good deeds is not guilt, shame, fear or a sense of obligation.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and `sinners'?"

MT 9:12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'n For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew 9:10-13

NOTE: THE BEST MOTIVATOR FOR OBEYING GOD AND PERFORMING GOOD DEEDS IS "MERCIFUL LOVE"!

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,n Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:1-4