THE GOSPEL OF LUKE - HEBRAIC-AWARE OVERVIEW

 1. Authorship & Audience

• Traditionally attributed to Luke, a companion of Paul.
• Written in excellent Greek yet steeped in Semitic idioms and Tanakh imagery.
• Addressed to Theophilus (Greek: “lover of Elohim - God”), possibly a real person or symbolic for faithful disciples.

2. Hebraic Themes

• Fulfillment of Tanakh: Luke emphasizes how Yeshua (Jesus) fulfills Torah and Prophets. Constant echoes of Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, and the Psalms.
• Priestly Context: Begins in the Temple with Zechariah (Luke 1) and ends in the Temple with the disciples praising Elohim - God (Luke 24).
• Prophetic Continuity: John the Immerser is portrayed in the line of Elijah, preparing the way for the Messiah (cf. Malachi 3–4).
• Salvation (Yeshuah): Luke highlights that YHWH’s – YEHOVAH’S yeshuah (salvation/deliverance) is not only for Israel but extends to the nations—reflecting Isaiah’s servant songs.

3. Structure & Flow

1. Birth Narratives (Luke 1–2)
• Miraculous births (John, then Yeshua) echo Isaac, Samuel, and Samson.
• Songs (Mary’s Magnificat, Zechariah’s prophecy, Simeon’s prayer) resemble Psalms and Hannah’s song.
2. Preparation for Ministry (Luke 3–4)
• John calls Israel to repentance like the prophets of old.
• Yeshua immersed, receives Spirit, tested in wilderness - recalls Israel’s wilderness test and Deuteronomy.
3. Galilean Ministry (Luke 4–9)
• Healings, teachings, parables.
• Strong Elijah/Elisha motifs (feeding multitudes, healing outsiders, raising the dead).
• Yeshua sets his face toward Jerusalem.
4. Journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–19:27)
• Unique to Luke: long “travel narrative.”
• Parables rich in Tanakh echoes (Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, Rich Man & Lazarus).
• Prophetic lament over Jerusalem like Jeremiah.
5. Jerusalem & Passion (Luke 19:28–23)
• Enters Temple, confronts leaders.
• Passover Last Supper echoes Exodus themes.
• Trial and crucifixion narrated with emphasis on innocence - “righteous one” language.
6. Resurrection & Ascension (Luke 24)
• Road to Emmaus: Yeshua explained “Moses and the Prophets” pointing to himself.
• Ends with a blessing at Bethany and the disciples in the Temple.

4. Hebraic Word Choices to Keep in Mind

• Messiah (Mashiach) instead of “Christ.”
• Torah instead of “Law.”
• Elohim instead of generic “God.”
• YHWH - YEHOVAH (or “Adonai”) for LORD.
• Shalom instead of “peace,” when the nuance fits.
• Gehenna (Valley of Hinnom) rather than “hell.”
• Immersion rather than “baptism.”
• Righteous/Just (Tzaddik) instead of flattening into “good.”

5. Key Distinctives in Luke

• Universal Scope: Gentiles, women, the poor, and the marginalized are honored.
• Prayer & Ruach (Spirit): More emphasis than other gospels.
• Songs & Psalms: Musical, prophetic hymns connect Yeshua to Israel’s story.
• Jerusalem-Centered: Starts and ends in the Temple, climax in the holy city.

In short, Luke presents Yeshua as the Spirit-anointed Prophet like Moses, the Son of David, and the Light to the Nations (Isaiah 49:6), deeply rooted in Tanakh while opening Israel’s hope to the world.

Luke 1 — Hebraic-Aware Translation

Prologue (1:1–4)

1. Since many have undertaken to arrange an account of the matters that have been fulfilled among us,
2. just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us,
3. it also seemed good to me, having carefully investigated everything from the start, to write it out for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4. so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you were instructed.

Announcement of John (1:5–25)

5. In the days of Herod, king of Yehudah, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Aviyah. His wife was from the daughters of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva.
6. Both were righteous (tzaddikim) before Elohim, walking blamelessly in all the mitzvot and statutes of YHWH.
7. But they had no child, because Elisheva was barren, and both were advanced in days.

(…Gabriel’s appearance in the Temple…)

13. The messenger said to him, “Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elisheva will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yochanan.
14. He will bring joy and gladness to you, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15. For he will be great before YHWH - YEHOVAH. He will drink no wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh – THE HOLY SPIRIT, even from his mother’s womb.
16. He will turn many of the children of Israel back to YHWH - YEHOVAH, their Elohim.
17. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Eliyahu, to turn the hearts of fathers to children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for YHWH - YEHOVAH.”

Announcement of Yeshua (1:26–38)

26. In the sixth month, the messenger Gavri’el was sent from Elohim to a city of Galil named Natzeret,
27. to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Yosef, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Miryam.
28. The messenger said to her, “Do not fear, Miryam, for you have found favor with Elohim - God.
29. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Yeshua.
30. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. And YHWH Elohim – YEHOVAH God will give him the throne of David his father.
31. He will reign over the house of Ya‘akov forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary & Elizabeth (1:39–56)

41. When Elisheva heard Miryam’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elisheva was filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh – The Holy Spirit.
42. She cried out with a loud voice: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43. And Miryam said,
    “My soul magnifies YHWH - YEHOVAH,
44. and my spirit rejoices in Elohim - God my Deliverer…”

(→ Miryam’s song closely parallels Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2).

Birth of John (1:57–80)

67. Zechariah, his father, was filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh – Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:
68. “Blessed be YHWH - YEHOVAH, the Elohim - God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people,
69. and raised a horn of salvation (qeren yeshuah) for us in the house of His servant David,
70. just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old…”
71. “And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before YHWH - YEHOVAH to prepare His ways,
72. to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins,
73. because of the tender mercy of our Elohim - God, by which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
74. to shine on those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of shalom.”
75. And the child grew and became strong in spirit and was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel.

Hebraic Notes on Luke 1

• Zechariah & Elisheva: Names recall Aaronic priesthood - deeply Levitical setting. Barrenness parallels Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah → miraculous births as covenant signs.
• Gabriel: Appears in Daniel 8–9; role tied to end-time visions.
• “Spirit and power of Eliyahu”: Direct allusion to Malachi 3–4 (Hebrew Bible order: last prophetic words).
• Miryam’s Song (Magnificat): Modeled on Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2), filled with reversals: proud brought low, humble lifted. Echoes Psalms of deliverance.
• “Horn of Salvation” (qeren yeshuah): Davidic and military imagery from Psalms (Psalm 18:2, 132:17).
• Sunrise/Dayspring (1:78): Alludes to Malachi 4:2, “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.”
• Overall Shape: The chapter mirrors Tanakh birth narratives (Abraham-Sarah, Hannah-Samuel), showing continuity.

Luke 2 — Hebraically Aware Translation

Birth of Yeshua (2:1–7)

1. And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the inhabited world should be registered.
2. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governing Syria.
3. All went to register, each to his own city.
4. Yosef also went up from the Galil, from the city of Nazareth, into Yehudah, to the city of David, which is called Beit-Lechem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5. to be registered with Miryam, his betrothed, who was pregnant.
6. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth.
7. She bore her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guest room.

Shepherds & Messenger (2:8–20)

8. In that same region, shepherds were dwelling in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9. And a messenger of YHWH - YEHOVAH stood before them, and the glory of YHWH - YEHOVAH shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10. The messenger said to them, “Do not fear! For behold - I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
11. For today in the city of David is born to you a Deliverer, who is Mashiach, Master.
12. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a feeding trough.”
13. Suddenly, there was with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host, praising Elohim - God and saying,
14. “Glory to Elohim - God in the highest, and on earth shalom among those He favors!”
15. When the messengers had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us indeed go over to Beit-Lechem and see this word that has come to pass, which YHWH - YEHOVAH has made known to us.”
16. They hurried and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough.
17. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Elohim - God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Yeshua Presented at the Temple (2:21–40)

21. When eight days were completed for circumcising him, he was called Yeshua, the name given by the messenger before he was conceived in the womb.
22. When the days of their purification according to the Torah of Moshe were fulfilled, they brought him up to Yerushalayim to present him to YHWH - YEHOVAH,
23. as it is written in the Torah of YHWH - YEHOVAH: “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to YHWH - YEHOVAH” (Exodus 13:2).
24. And to give a sacrifice according to what is said in the Torah of YHWH - YEHOVAH, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Leviticus 12:8).
25. Behold, there was a man in Yerushalayim whose name was Shimon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Ruach ha-Kodesh – Holy Spirit was upon him.
26. He took him into his arms and blessed Elohim - God, saying:
27. “Now, Master, you release your servant in shalom, according to your word.
28. For my eyes have seen your salvation (yeshuah),
29. which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
30. A light for revelation to the nations, and glory of your people Israel.”
31. There was also Hannah the prophetess, daughter of Penu’el, of the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in age…
32. At that hour, she gave thanks to Elohim - God and spoke about him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Yerushalayim.
33. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of Elohim - God was upon him.

Yeshua in the Temple (2:41–52)

41. His parents went to Yerushalayim every year at the Feast of Pesach.
42. When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast.
43. When the days were completed, as they were returning, the boy Yeshua remained in Yerushalayim. Yosef and his mother did not know it…
44. After three days, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
45. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
46. He said to them, “Why were you seeking me? Did you not know that I must be in the things of my Father?”
47. Yeshua advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with Elohim - God and with people.

Hebraic Notes on Luke 2

• Beit-Lechem (Bethlehem): “House of Bread.” Micah 5:2 prophecy of the Davidic ruler.
• Shepherds: Recall David as shepherd-king; also, a prophetic sign that the Messiah is revealed to humble ones first.
• “Good news” (euangelizomai): Rooted in Isaiah’s “bringing good news of shalom” (Isaiah 52:7).
• Temple dedication: Mirrors Exodus 13 (firstborn consecration) + Leviticus 12 (purification offering). Yeshua fully within Torah framework.
• Shimon’s prophecy: Directly ties Yeshua to Isaiah 40–55 (“light to the nations,” “salvation to Israel”).
• Boy Yeshua at Passover: Echoes Samuel as a boy in the tabernacle (1 Sam 2–3). His first recorded words connect him to his Father’s house.

Luke 3 — Yochanan the Immerser & Yeshua’s Immersion

John’s Ministry (3:1–20)

1. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar… the word of Elohim came to Yochanan - John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
2. He went into all the region around the Yarden, proclaiming an immersion of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
3. As it is written in the book of the words of Yeshayahu the prophet:
   “A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of YHWH - YEHOVAH, make His paths straight.” (Isaiah 40:3)
4. He said to the crowds… “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
5. Produce fruit worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, ‘We have Avraham as father.’ For I say to you, Elohim - God can raise children to Avraham from these stones.”
6. Yochanan answered, “I immerse you with water, but one mightier than I is coming… He will immerse you in the Ruach ha-Kodesh – The Holy Spirit and fire.”

Yeshua’s Immersion (3:21–22)

21. When all the people were immersed, Yeshua also was immersed. While praying, the heavens were opened,
22. And the Ruach ha-Kodesh – the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Genealogy (3:23–38)

23. Yeshua… was the son (as was supposed) of Yosef…
24. …the son of Enosh, the son of Shet, the son of Adam, the son of Elohim - God.

Luke 4 — Testing in the Wilderness & Galilean Ministry

Temptation (4:1–13)

1. Yeshua, full of the Ruach ha-Kodesh – the Holy Spirit, returned from the Yarden and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness…
2. The adversary said to him, “If you are Son of Elohim - God, command this stone to become bread.”
3. Yeshua answered, “It is written Man shall not live by bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)
4. “You shall worship YHWH - YEHOVAH your Elohim - God, and Him only shall you serve.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
5. “You shall not test YHWH - YEHOVAH your Elohim - God.” (Deuteronomy 6:16)

In Nazareth (4:14–30)

16. He came to Natzeret… stood up to read.
17. The scroll of the prophet Yeshayahu was given to him. He found the place where it is written:
18. “The Spirit of YHWH - YEHOVAH is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… liberty to captives, sight to the blind, release for the oppressed, to proclaim the year of YHWH – YEHOVAH’S’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1–2; 58:6)
19. He said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
20. All in the synagogue were filled with anger…
21. They rose, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill… to throw him down.
22. But he passed through their midst and went away.

Healings (4:31–44)

• In K’far Nachum: cast out an unclean spirit, healed Shimon’s – Peter’s mother-in-law.
• Many healed at sundown.
• Yeshua said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of Elohim - God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 5 — Calling Disciples & Signs of Authority

First Disciples (5:1–11)

4. He said to Shimon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets.”
5. They enclosed a great number of fish…
6. Shimon Kefa fell at Yeshua’s knees, saying, “Depart from me, Master, for I am a sinful man.”
7. Yeshua said, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.”

Healings & Forgiveness (5:12–26)

• A man full of tzara‘at (skin-disease - leprosy) cleansed.
• Paralytic lowered through the roof: Yeshua says, “Man, your sins are forgiven.”
• Torah scholars object: “Who can forgive sins but Elohim - God alone?”
• Yeshua responds with healing to show authority.

Levi Called (5:27–32)

27. He saw a tax collector named Levi… and said, “Follow me.”
28. Pharisees complained: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
29. Yeshua answered: “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Hebraic Notes on Luke 3–5

• Immersion (baptism): Modeled after ritual washings (mikvah). Linked with repentance, covenant renewal (cf. Isa 1:16, Ezekiel 36:25).
• John’s rebuke (“children of Avraham”): Echoes prophets (Jer 7:4 “Temple of YHWH - YEHOVAH” warning). True covenant status = obedience, not ancestry.
• Genealogy back to Adam: Emphasizes Yeshua as Son of Adam/Son of Elohim - God → universal scope.
• Temptation: Yeshua resists by quoting Torah (Deuteronomy 6–8). He succeeds where Israel failed in the wilderness.
• Nazareth rejection: Mirrors Elijah/Elisha being sent beyond Israel (Luke 4:25–27). Messiah was not accepted in his hometown, like the prophets.
• Fishing for people: Allusion to Jeremiah 16:16 (“I will send many fishers”).
• Healing & forgiveness: Yeshua enacts Isaiah 35 (healing) and Jeremiah 31 (new covenant forgiveness).
• Levi (Matthew): Outcast tax collector becomes disciple → shows kingdom’s reach.

Luke 6 — Teachings of the Son of Man

Sabbath Encounters (6:1–11)

1. On a Shabbat, as Yeshua was passing through the grainfields, his disciples plucked heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands and eating.
2. Some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Shabbat?”
3. Yeshua answered, “Have you not read what David did… how he entered the house of Elohim, took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful except for the priests, and gave it also to those with him?”
4. He said to them, “The Son of Man is master of the Shabbat.”

Choosing the Twelve (6:12–16)

• After a night of prayer, he chose twelve, naming them shlichim (apostles).
• Names include Shimon (called Kefa), Ya‘akov, Yochanan, Levi/Mattityahu, and Yehudah of Kriot.

Blessings & Woes (6:17–26)

20. “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of Elohim - God.
21. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled.
22. Blessed are you when people hate you… on account of the Son of Man.
23. But woe to you who are rich… woe to you who are full now… woe to you when all speak well of you…”

Love for Enemies (6:27–36)

27. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
28. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29. As you wish that people would do to you, do the same to them.
30. Be merciful, just as your Father - Yehovah is merciful.”

On Judging, Trees, and Foundations (6:37–49)

37. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged… forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good… for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
39. Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.”

Luke 7 — Authority of the Prophet-Messiah

Healing the Centurion’s Servant (7:1–10)

6. The centurion sent friends to say: “Master, do not trouble yourself… just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
7. Yeshua marveled: “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such trust.”

Raising the Widow’s Son at Nain (7:11–17)

14. He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak.
15. Fear seized all, and they glorified Elohim - God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us! Elohim - God has visited His people!”

Yochanan’s Question (7:18–35)

22. Yeshua answered, “Go and report to Yochanan - John: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them.” (Isaiah 35, 61)

Anointing by a Woman (7:36–50)

37. A woman of the city, a sinner, brought an alabaster flask of ointment.
38. Standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and anointed them.
39. “Her many sins are forgiven - for she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Luke 8 — Parables, Power, and Faith

Parable of the Sower (8:4–15)

5. “A Sower went out to sow his seed… some fell on the path… some on rock… some among thorns… some on good soil.”
6. “The seed is the word of Elohim.”

Lamp and Hearing (8:16–21)

18. “Take care how you hear; for the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”

Calming the Storm (8:22–25)

24. They woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” He rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and there was a calm.
25. They were afraid, saying, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Gerasene Demoniac (8:26–39)

30. Yeshua asked, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.
31. A herd of pigs rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

Healing and Resurrection (8:40–56)

48. To the woman with the flow of blood: “Daughter, your trust has made you whole; go in shalom.”
49. To the dead girl: “Child, arise!” Her spirit returned, and she got up at once.

Hebraic Notes on Luke 6–8

• Shabbat controversies: Link to 1 Samuel 21 (David and holy bread). Yeshua claims authority as “Son of Man” over Shabbat → eschatological role.
• Blessings & Woes: Mirrors Torah covenant blessings and curses (Deuteromony 28). Echoes prophets’ reversals (Isaiah, Amos).
• Enemy love: Rooted in Leviticus 19:18 (“love your neighbor”) but extended; wisdom of Proverbs 25:21–22.
• Centurion’s faith: Gentile showing greater emunah than Israel → Isaiah’s vision of nations seeking Elohim (Isaah 2).
• Widow’s son raised: Parallels Elijah (1 Kings 17) and Elisha (2 Kings 4). People rightly cry: “A great prophet!”
• Yochanan’s question: Yeshua points to Isaiah 35 and 61, messianic signs.
• Sower & lamp parables: Wisdom tradition + prophetic call: hearing and obeying.
• Calming storm: Psalm 107:29 “He stilled the storm to a whisper.” Yeshua acts with YHWH’s – YEHOVAH’S authority.
• Demoniac & pigs: Unclean animals (Leviticus 11) = symbolic of spiritual uncleanness. Yeshua restores shalom.
• Raising Jairus’s daughter: Echo of Elisha (2 Kings 4:32–37).

Luke 9 — Turning Toward Jerusalem

Sending the Twelve (9:1–6)

1. Yeshua called the Twelve, gave them power and authority over all demons, and to heal diseases.
2. He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of Elohim - God and to heal.
3. He said, “Take nothing for the journey - no staff, no bag, no bread, no silver; and do not have two tunics.”

Feeding the Five Thousand (9:10–17)

13. He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”
14. Taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them, and gave to the disciples to set before the crowd.
15. They all ate and were satisfied; twelve baskets of broken pieces were left over.

Peter’s Confession & Transfiguration (9:18–36)

20. Kefa answered, “You are the Mashiach of Elohim - God.”
21. He took Kefa, Yochanan, and Ya‘akov, went up on the mountain to pray.
22. As he prayed, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.
23. Behold, two men were speaking with him - Moshe and Eliyahu - who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus (departure), which he was about to accomplish in Yerushalayim.
24. A voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him [this is spoken as a command]!”

On Following (9:57–62)

62. Yeshua said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of Elohim - God.”

Luke 10 — Mission of the Seventy and the Good Samaritan

Seventy Sent (10:1–24)

1. After this, the Master appointed seventy others and sent them ahead in pairs to every town and place where he himself was about to go.
2. He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray therefore to the Master of the harvest to send out workers into His Harvest.”  Harvest.
3. “Heal the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of Elohim - God has come near to you.’”
4. The seventy returned with joy: “Master, even the demons submit to us in your name!”
5. “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

The Good Samaritan (10:25–37)

27. He answered, “You shall love YHWH - YEHOVAH your Elohim - God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)
28. Yeshua replied: “A man was going down from Yerushalayim to Yericho and fell among robbers…
29. A Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; when he saw him, he was moved with compassion…”
30. “Which of these three, do you think, became a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?”
31. He said, “The one who showed mercy.” Yeshua said, “Go and do likewise.”

Martha & Mary (10:38–42)

41. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her.”

Luke 11 — Prayer, Signs, and Rebukes

The Lord’s Prayer (11:1–4)

2. “When you pray, say:
   Father, let your name [Yehovah] be sanctified.
   Let your kingdom come.
3. Give us each day our daily bread.
4. Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
   And do not bring us into testing.”

Ask, Seek, Knock (11:5–13)

9. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened.
10. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Ruach ha-Kodesh – Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Sign of Jonah & Lamp (11:29–36)

29. “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given except the sign of Yonah - Jonah.
30. For just as Yonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”

Woes to Pharisees & Lawyers (11:37–54)

42. “Woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint, rue, and every herb, but neglect justice and the love of Elohim. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
43. “Woe also to you, Torah experts! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”

Hebraic Notes on Luke 9–11

• Feeding multitudes (Luke 9): Echoes Elisha feeding 100 men with barley loaves (2 Kings 4:42–44). Twelve baskets symbolize Israel’s tribes.
• Transfiguration: Moshe + Eliyahu = Torah + Prophets. “Exodus” (Greek exodos) ties Yeshua’s death/resurrection to the liberation motif. Cloud/voice recalls Sinai (Exodus 19; Deuteronomy 18:15 “listen to him”).
• Seventy sent (Luke 10): Seventy nations in Genesis 10 → universal mission.
• Good Samaritan: Radically expands Leviticus 19:18. Samaritans considered outsiders, yet Torah’s call to hesed (mercy) is fulfilled by him.
• Prayer (Luke 11): Closely mirrors Jewish daily prayers (Kaddish, Amidah, Forgiveness).
• Sign of Jonah: Points to repentance of Gentiles (Nineveh) and foreshadows resurrection after three days.
• Woes: Rooted in prophets (Isaiah 1, Amos 5, Micah 6:8). Critique is not against Torah but against hypocrisy and neglect of mishpat (justice) and ahavah (love).

Luke 12 — Warnings, Trust, and Readiness

Beware Hypocrisy (12:1–12)

1. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
3. Do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do.
4. Fear the One who, after killing, has authority to cast into Gehinnom.”
5. “Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? Yet not one of them is forgotten before Elohim - God.”
6. “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but the one who blasphemes against the Ruach ha-Kodesh – the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

Rich Fool & Trust in YHWH - YEHOVAH (12:13–34)

15. “Take care and guard against all greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”
16. Elohim said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you…”
17. “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap… and Elohim - God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!”
18. “Seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

Readiness (12:35–48)

35. “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning.”
36. “Blessed are those servants whom the Master finds awake when he comes.”
37. “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

Division & Signs (12:49–59)

51. “Do you think I came to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.”
52. “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say, ‘A shower is coming’… You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why not the present time?”

Luke 13 — Repentance, the Narrow Door, and the Lament

Call to Repentance (13:1–9)

3. “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.”
4. Parable: A man had a fig tree in his vineyard… for three years he found no fruit. The vinedresser said, “Let it alone one more year… if it bears fruit, well; if not, cut it down.”

Sabbath Healing (13:10–17)

12. Yeshua said to a bent woman, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.”
13. “Should not this daughter of Avraham, who Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed on the Sabbath?”

Kingdom Parables (13:18–21)

• Mustard seed → large tree, birds nest in its branches (Ezekiel 17:23, Daniel 4:12).
• Leaven → spreads through the whole dough.

Narrow Door (13:22–30)

24. “Strive to enter through the narrow door. Many will seek to enter and will not be able.”
25. “There will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya‘akov and all the prophets in the kingdom of Elohim - God, but yourselves cast out.”
26. “People will come from east, west, north, south, and recline at the table in the kingdom.”

Lament over Yerushalayim (13:31–35)

34. “Yerushalayim, Yerushalayim, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I desired to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Luke 14 — Humility, Banquet, and Discipleship

Healing on Shabbat (14:1–6)

5. “Which of you, having a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath, will not immediately pull him out?”

Humility and Banquet Teaching (14:7–24)

11. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
12. “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind, and you will be blessed.”
13. Parable: A man gave a great banquet; many made excuses.
14. “Go out to the roads and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Cost of Discipleship (14:25–35)

26. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate – love less father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple.” (“Hate” = Hebraic idiom meaning “love less in comparison.”)
27. “Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
28. “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

 Notice: the followers of the lord Messiah Yeshua are bought with a price, the blood he shed when he gave himself to his Father and his God Yehovah as a sin-offering sacrifice, allowing God to reconcile – bring back humanity to Himself. As the followers are bought with such a valued price, it makes us bondservants [slaves] of the lord Messiah Yeshua. Now, a slave does not own anything, but his/her master can give them possessions to exercise stewardship over them, so our Master Yeshua does likewise..

Hebraic Notes on Luke 12–14

• Leaven (12:1): Often a metaphor for corruption (Exodus 12; 1 Corinthians 5). Hypocrisy spreads like leaven.
• Fig tree (13:6–9): Fig = Israel (Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13). Elohim seeks fruit = repentance. Delay = mercy.
• Mustard seed & leaven (13): Both start small but grow/spread -  image of kingdom influence from hidden beginnings.
• Narrow door (13:24): Echoes Psalm 118:20, Isaiah 26:2 - the righteous entering YHWH’s – YEHOVAH’S gate.
• Banquet parable (14): Links with Isaiah 25:6–8 (“banquet on this mountain”). Outsiders welcomed foreshadow Gentile inclusion.
• “Hate” family (14:26): Hebrew idiom meaning “prefer less” (cf. Genesis 29:30–31: Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah). Not literal hatred, but radical priority.

Luke 15 — Parables of the Lost

Lost Sheep (15:1–7)

4. “Which man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?”
5. “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous who do not need repentance.”

Lost Coin (15:8–10)

8. “What woman, having ten silver drachmas, if she loses one, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it?”
9. “There is joy before the angels of Elohim - God over one sinner who repents.”

Lost Son (Prodigal) (15:11–32)

12. The younger said, “Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.”
13. “When he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread in abundance, but I perish with hunger!’”
14. While he was still far off, his father saw him, was filled with compassion, ran, embraced, and kissed him.
15. “For this, my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
16. The older son was angry and refused to go in…
17. “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
18. It was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this your brother was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.”

Luke 16 — Stewardship and Warnings

Dishonest Steward (16:1–13)

8. The master commended the dishonest steward because he acted shrewdly.
9. “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into eternal dwellings.”
10. “No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve both Elohim - God and mammon - maney.”

Torah and the Kingdom (16:14–18)

16. “The Torah and the Prophets were until Yohanan; since then, the good news of the kingdom of Elohim - God is proclaimed, and everyone is pressing into it.
17. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of the Torah to fall.”

Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19–31)

22. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Avraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23. In Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Avraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
24. Avraham said, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received good things, and Lazarus bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.”
25. “If they do not listen to Moshe and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.”

Luke 17 — Forgiveness, Faith, and the Kingdom

Forgiveness & Faith (17:1–10)

3. “If your brother sins, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him.
4. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times turns back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
5. “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Ten Lepers Cleansed (17:11–19)

14. As they went, they were cleansed.
15. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying Elohim- God with a loud voice.
16. He fell on his face at Yeshua’s feet, giving thanks - and he was a Samaritan.
17. “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”

Coming of the Kingdom (17:20–37)

20. Asked by Pharisees when the kingdom of Elohim - God would come, he answered: “The kingdom of Elohim - God is not coming with things that can be observed.
21. Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ For behold, the kingdom of Elohim - God is among you.”
22. “As it was in the days of Noach, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.”
23. “Remember Lot’s wife!”
24. They said, “Where, Master?” He said, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Hebraic Notes on Luke 15–17

• Lost Sheep/Coin/Son (15): Classic prophetic theme of YHWH - YEHOVAH as shepherd seeking Israel (Ezekiel 34; Jeremiah 23). Father’s compassion mirrors Hosea’s portrayal of YHWH’s – YEHOVAH’S love for wayward Israel.
• Older brother (15:28–32): Reflects tension between covenant insiders (Pharisees, Israel) and outsiders (repentant sinners, Gentiles).
• Steward parable (16): Not approval of dishonesty but of shrewdness in light of coming judgment. Urgency in preparing for eternity.
• Torah not passing (16:17): Strong affirmation - Torah remains; Yeshua’s teaching is not abolishing but fulfilling (cf. Matthew 5:17–19).
• Rich man & Lazarus (16:19–31): Avraham’s bosom = covenantal intimacy. Emphasis: Heed Moses and the Prophets now.
• Ten lepers (17): Only the Samaritan returns - outsider again shows true gratitude.
• Kingdom “within/among you” (17:21): Greek entos = either internal (within hearts) or communal (in your midst, embodied by Yeshua and his followers). Both Hebraic nuances are present.
• Days of Noach & Lot (17:26–32): Warnings of sudden judgment echo prophets (Isaiah 13; Zephaniah 1).

Luke 18 — Prayer, Wealth, and the Kingdom

Persistent Widow (18:1–8)

2. “In a certain city, there was a judge who neither feared Elohim - God nor respected people.
3. A widow kept coming, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
4. Will not Elohim - God give justice to His chosen ones, who cry to Him day and night?
5. When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Pharisee & Tax Collector (18:9–14)

10. “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11. The tax collector stood far off, would not lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘Elohim - God, be merciful to me, the sinner.’
12. This man went down justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Children & Rich Ruler (18:15–30)

16. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of Elohim - God.”
17. Yeshua said to the rich ruler, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
18. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Elohim.”
19. “Everyone who has left house, wife, brothers, parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of Elohim will receive many times more in this age, and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Third Passion Prediction & Healing Blind Man (18:31–43)

31. “See, we are going up to Yerushalayim, and everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.”
32. A blind man near Yericho cried, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
33. Yeshua said, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.”

Luke 19 — Zacchaeus, Parable, and Entry into Yerushalayim

Zacchaeus (19:1–10)

2. A man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was rich.
3. Yeshua said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
4. “Today salvation has come to this house, since he too is a son of Avraham.
5. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Parable of the Minas (19:11–27)

12. “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.”
13. “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.”
14. “To everyone who has, more will be given; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Triumphal Entry (19:28–40)

38. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of YHWH - YEHOVAH! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Psalm 118:26)

Yeshua Weeps Over Yerushalayim (19:41–44)

41. When he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying,
42. “If you had known, even you, on this day, the things that make for shalom! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
43. “Days will come when your enemies will set up a siege ramp around you…”

Cleansing the Temple (19:45–48)

46. “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!” (Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11)

Luke 20 — Authority, Vineyard, and Resurrection

Authority Questioned (20:1–8)

2. “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who gave you this authority?”
3. “The baptism of Yohanan - was it from heaven or from men?”

Parable of the Vineyard (20:9–19)

9. “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenants, and went to another country…”
10. “The owner said, ‘I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’
11. But when the tenants saw him, they said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him.’”
12. “He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
13. Yeshua looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
    ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner’?” (Psalm 118:22)

Taxes to Caesar (20:20–26)

25. “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to Elohim - God the things that are Elohim’s – God’s.”

Resurrection and the Sadducees (20:27–40)

37. “Even Moshe showed, at the bush, that the dead are raised, when he calls YHWH - YEHOVAH ‘the Elohim - God of Avraham, Elohim of Yitzchak, and Elohim of Ya‘akov.’
38. He is not the Elohim - God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”

Warning Against Scribes (20:41–47)

46. “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces…
47. They devour widows’ houses and, for a pretense, make long prayers. They will receive greater condemnation.”

Hebraic Notes on Luke 18–20

• Persistent widow (18:1–8): Torah often highlights YHWH’s – YEHOVAH’S care for widows (Deuteronomy 10:18). Her persistence models chutzpah shel kedushah (holy boldness).
• Pharisee & tax collector (18:9–14): “Justified” echoes Habakkuk 2:4 - righteousness comes from humility and reliance on Elohim - God.
• Rich ruler (18:22): Challenge mirrors Torah’s commands on generosity and Deuteronomy 15:7–11. Treasure in heaven = covenant reward.
• Blind man crying “Son of David” (18:38): Messianic title recalling 2 Samuel 7.
• Zacchaeus (19:9): Yeshua restores his covenant identity as a “son of Avraham.”
• Triumphal Entry (19:38): Psalm 118 (Hallel psalm) sung at Passover - a messianic royal welcome.
• Vineyard parable (20): Echo of Isaiah 5:1–7 - Israel as YHWH’s – YEHOVAH’S vineyard. The “beloved son” recalls both Israel (Exodus 4:22) and the Messiah.
• Stone rejected (20:17): Psalm 118 messianic stone theme - rejected yet exalted cornerstone.
• Resurrection (20:37): Argument built on Torah itself – YHWH - YEHOVAH as living Elohim - God of the patriarchs.

Luke 21 — Signs, Jerusalem, and End Times

Widow’s Offering (21:1–4)

1. He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury.
2. He saw a poor widow put in two small coins.
3. He said, “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put in more than all,
4. For all these out of their abundance have put in gifts for God, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.”

Destruction of the Temple Foretold (21:5–24)

6. “As for these things you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
7. “Do not be led astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.”
8. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.”
9. “They will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive into all nations. Yerushalayim will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Signs of the End and Encouragement (21:25–36)

25. “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and distress among nations… men fainting from fear and expectation of the things coming on the earth.”
26. “Now when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
27. “Be on guard, lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and cares of life, and that day come on you suddenly.”
28. “Pray always that you may have strength to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 22 — Passover, Betrayal, and Arrest

Passover Preparation (22:1–13)

1. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, drew near.
2. The day of unleavened bread came, when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
3. He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
4. They prepared it as he had told them.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper (22:14–20)

15. “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of Elohim- God.”
17. “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
18. “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

Prediction of Peter’s Denial (22:31–34)

31. “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan demanded to sift you like wheat.
32. But I have prayed for you that your emunah may not fail; and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33. Peter said, “Master, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”
34. Yeshua answered, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me.”

Gethsemane Prayer (22:39–46)

40. “Pray that you do not enter into temptation.”
41. “And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Betrayal and Arrest (22:47–53)

48. “Do you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber?”
49. One of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
50. Yeshua said, “No more of this!” and touched his ear and healed him.
51. Then Yeshua said to the chief priests, officers of the temple, and elders: “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?”

Hebraic Notes on Luke 21–22

• Widow’s offering (21:1–4): Classic prophetic theme – YHWH - YEHOVAH values devotion over abundance (1 Kings 17:7–16; 2 Kings 4:1–7).
• Temple destruction (21:5–24): Echoes Daniel 9, Jeremiah 52, and prophetic warnings about Jerusalem. “Times of the Gentiles” = period of exile and domination.
• End-time signs (21:25–36): Cosmic language rooted in Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:30–31. “Lift your heads” = hope and redemption imagery.
• Passover Supper (22:14–20): Links Yeshua’s death to the sacrificial system (Exodus 12); new covenant reflects Jeremiah 31:31–34.
• Gethsemane prayer (22:39–46): Shows full human agony; yet submission = “Not my will, but yours” (cf. Psalm 40:7–8).
• Peter’s denial (22:31–34): “Sifted like wheat” = testing motif in Tanakh (Ruth 2; Jeremiah 30).
• Betrayal & arrest: Fulfillment of prophetic suffering motif (Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 53).

Luke 23 — Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial

Jesus Before Pilate (23:1–25)

1. The whole company of them arose and led him to Pilate.
2. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
3. “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”
4. Pilate released Barabbas to them, and after having Jesus scourged, delivered him to be crucified.

Mocked and Crucified (23:26–43)

26. They laid hold on Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Yeshua.
27. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
28. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
29. One of the criminals mocked him: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”
30. But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear Elohim - God, since you are under the same sentence?
31. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
32. And he said, “Yeshua, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
33. He said to him, “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

Death and Burial (23:44–56)

46. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” And having said this, he breathed his last.
47. Joseph of Arimathea, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their counsel and deed, asked Pilate for Yeshua’s body.
48. And they laid him in a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

Luke 24 — Resurrection and Ascension

The Empty Tomb (24:1–12)

3. They did not find the body of Yeshua.
4. While they were perplexed about this, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
5. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen!”
6. They told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

Road to Emmaus (24:13–35)

15. Yeshua himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
16. “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
17. “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Appearance to the Disciples (24:36–49)

36. “Peace be with you.”
37. “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
38. “All things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moshe, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning me.”
39. “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Yerushalayim.
40. You are witnesses of these things.”
41. “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Ascension (24:50–53)

51. He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, blessed them.
52. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
53. And they worshiped him and returned to Yerushalayim with great joy, and were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing Elohim - God.

Hebraic Notes on Luke 23–24

• Crucifixion (23): Roman execution method, yet Yeshua fulfills Isaiah 53:3–9 - the Suffering Servant.
• Paradise (23:43): Hebrew concept of Gan Eden - immediate post-mortem rest with the righteous.
• Empty tomb (24): Resurrection anticipated in Psalms 16:10, Hosea 6:2. “Seek the living among the dead” signals new covenant hope.
• Road to Emmaus (24:13–35): Emphasizes Torah-centered understanding: Messiah’s suffering and glory revealed through Scripture.
• Appearance and instructions (24:36–49): Confirms physical resurrection and the continuity of Torah, Prophets, Psalms.
• Ascension (24:50–53): Fulfillment of Daniel 7:13–14 and Psalm 68:18 imagery. Disciples empowered for mission — covenant expansion to all nations.

Chapter	Key Events / Teachings	Hebraic Connections / Prophetic Links	Major Themes
1	Birth announcements of John & Yeshua; Zechariah & Mary’s songs	Gabriel’s announcements echo Daniel 9:21–27; Mary’s Magnificat mirrors Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2:1–10)	Divine intervention, fulfillment of covenant promises
2	Birth of Yeshua, shepherds, presentation in Temple, Simeon & Anna	Bethlehem = Davidic lineage; Temple rituals (mikvah, sacrifice); Simeon sees Messiah (Isaiah 52:7–10)	Messiah’s humble birth, fulfillment of prophecy, salvation for all
3	Yochanan’s immersion; genealogy	Repentance & immersion echo ritual purification; genealogy traces Messiah to Adam/Elohim	Repentance, Messiah’s humanity, covenant continuity
4	Temptation; Nazareth rejection; healings	Torah quotations (Deuteronomy 6–8); Nazareth rejection parallels Elijah/Elisha missions; Isaiah 61 fulfillment	Obedience, messianic authority, prophetic fulfillment
5	Calling disciples; healings	“Fishing for people” = Jeremiah 16:16; healing mirrors Isaiah 35, 53	Discipleship, authority, kingdom expansion
6	Beatitudes & woes; love for enemies	Echoes Deuteronomy 28 (blessings & curses), Leviticus 19:18	Radical ethics, mercy, humility
7	Centurion’s faith; raising widow’s son; anointing woman	Gentile faith foreshadows universal mission; parallels Elijah & Elisha miracles	Faith, humility, divine authority
8	Parables; calming storm; demoniac healed	Sower parable = wisdom tradition; storm = Psalm 107:29; demoniac = uncleanness imagery (Leviticus 11)	Kingdom revelation, faith, spiritual authority
9	Feeding 5000; Peter’s confession; transfiguration	Twelve baskets = Israel’s tribes; transfiguration = Moses + Elijah, Sinai echo	Messiah identity, revelation, discipleship
10	Seventy sent; Good Samaritan; Martha & Mary	Seventy nations (Genesis 10); Samaritan shows Torah-based mercy; hospitality theme	Mission, mercy, kingdom priorities
11	Lord’s Prayer; ask-seek-knock; woes	Prayer rooted in Jewish tradition (Amidah); prophetic critique of Pharisees	Prayer, spiritual discernment, righteousness
12	Warnings, rich fool, readiness	Leaven = corruption (Exodus 12); trust in YHWH - YEHOVAH; fig tree = Israel	Stewardship, vigilance, eschatology
13	Repentance, Sabbath healing, kingdom parables	Fig tree = Israel; mustard seed/leaven = kingdom growth	Repentance, kingdom expansion, divine patience
14	Humility, banquet, cost of discipleship	Isaiah 25:6 banquet imagery; “hate” = Hebrew idiom	Humility, radical commitment, inclusion
15	Lost sheep, coin, prodigal son	Ezekiel 34 (shepherd); Hosea imagery; covenant restoration	Repentance, mercy, restoration
16	Dishonest steward; rich man & Lazarus	Torah obedience; Isaiah 5 vineyard; Avraham’s bosom = covenant intimacy	Stewardship, judgment, covenant fidelity
17	Forgiveness, lepers, kingdom	Gratitude & faith; kingdom “within” or “among” (Hebrew nuance)	Faith, gratitude, kingdom awareness
18	Persistent widow, Pharisee & tax collector, rich ruler	Torah generosity: humility valued (Habakkuk 2:4); “Son of David” = messianic title	Justice, humility, kingdom priorities
19	Zacchaeus; parable of minas; triumphal entry	Son of Abraham (covenant); Psalm 118; Isaiah 56, Jer 7	Salvation, stewardship, messianic kingship
20	Authority challenged; vineyard parable; resurrection	Isaiah 5 vineyard; Psalm 118 cornerstone; resurrection grounded in Torah	Messianic authority, judgment, resurrection
21	Widow’s offering; temple destruction; end times	1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4 (widow); Daniel & Jeremiah (destruction)	Sacrifice, judgment, eschatology
22	Passover meal; Gethsemane; betrayal	Exodus 12; Jeremiah 31 covenant; Zech 13 suffering	New covenant, obedience, suffering
23	Trial, crucifixion, burial	Isaiah 53 (Suffering Servant); Gan Eden imagery	Redemption, fulfillment of prophecy, divine mercy
24	Resurrection; Emmaus; ascension	Psalms 16, Hosea 6:2 (resurrection); Daniel 7:13–14 (ascension)	Resurrection, scriptural fulfillment, empowerment for mission

SUMMARY:

• Overarching Themes: Messiah’s identity, fulfillment of Torah & Prophets, Kingdom of Elohim, repentance, mercy, humility, eschatological hope.
• Hebraic Threads: Strong links to Torah law, prophetic imagery, Psalms, covenant continuity, Second Temple context.

Prophetic Fulfillment: Yeshua embodies Isaiah 53, Psalm 118, Hosea 6:2, and covenant promises to Abraham, David, and 

JESUS – YESHUA: YOUR GUIDING LIGHT WHEN ALL SEEMS DARK

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yehovah and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’” [Psalm 2:1-3, ESV]

We are often confronted with a troubling question: If God - Yehovah is sovereign over all things, ruling and reigning on earth, then why is there so much rage in the world? Why are the wicked plotting? Why do violent riots break out on the streets, harming innocent people? Why are there still millions of people, even children, in horrid bondage?

Why do the people, nations, rulers, and kings want to cast off God - Yehovah, to burst His bonds and live without Him? Today, we are witnessing this in our nation.

I have been in the ministry for many decades, and I have never witnessed a spiritual decline like the one currently taking place in our world. Many are asking, “Can we trust God - Yehovah?” Are we not weary and troubled in soul over the moral decay? Are we not vexed over a nation that once respected, honored, and served God - Yehovah, but has now strayed away from the very mention of his name?

Psalm 2 asks: “Why do the nations rage?” The psalmist was essentially asking, “What could be in a person’s mind to think it’s plausible to reject God and still have hope and peace for the future?” This rebellious mindset only occurs in nations that give themselves over to moral depravity and spiritual decline.

In 2 Peter 2:4-10, the apostle Peter wrote about what is described in Psalm 2: nations raging, people plotting, and kings and rulers coming up against the things of God - Yehovah. Peter spoke of people in the days of Lot who felt distressed over the sensual conduct in their society. Similarly, many of us become stressed when we encounter things in the news, media, and culture.

Peter also used the phrase “tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds.” We also might have that same spirit of being tormented in our souls. In Noah’s day, society was indulging in the lust of defiling passions and despising godly authority. Today, we see this same rampant disregard for the authorities that God - Yehovah establishes, whether it’s societal, governmental, or religious.

Navigating Troubling Times

Together, Psalms 1 and 2 illustrate how to navigate troubling times. These two psalms serve as an introduction to the entire book of Psalms. Psalm 1 addresses personal rebellion and those who walk in wickedness and unrighteousness. It warns not to stand, sit, or walk with the wicked but to come out from among them. It speaks to us on an individual level, calling us to immerse ourselves in the word of God. “Blessed is this man …his delight is in the law of Yehovah, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

Psalm 2 addresses evil on a national or global level. It speaks not only about what is happening in our hearts but also about a national unrighteousness or vehemence against God - Yehovah. While Psalm 1 deals with the word, Psalm 2 is about the world. Interestingly, if we delight in the word of God as directed in Psalm 1, it sets our hearts on a right trajectory to face the world’s difficulties. In a raging storm, we will begin to trust God - Yehovah, develop confidence, and cultivate an unstoppable faith.

Are you living in fear? Do you spend sleepless nights worrying about your children? Are you stressed over your finances? Dig into the word of God. Follow Psalm 1, so that Psalm 2 will not be so troubling. Yes, there will still be problems, but because of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, we won’t be overwhelmed.

Christ, Ruler Over the Nations

In Psalm 2:1, the word “nations” is plural. The psalmist is speaking of all the nations raging against God - Yehovah, with people plotting in vain. In democratic societies, leaders are voted in by the people. Often, we get what we deserve by supporting and voting for ungodly leaders. Scriptures in the Old Testament describe how God’s – Yehovah’s people clamored for a priest or ruler who would only tell them what they wanted to hear.

The word “set” in Psalm 2:2 means rooted or immovable. These leaders opposed God - Yehovah and shared their counsel to diminish or reject God - Yehovah. They set up laws and mandates to restrict the freedom of God’s – Yehovah’s people, plotting “against Yehovah and His Anointed.” Who is Yehovah? God = Yehovah most high, and His anointed one is His Son, the Messiah Jesus - Yeshua. Even before the Messiah Jesus-Yeshua was born, this psalm was a picture of what was to come. King David probably originally authored it during a time of great difficulty. It can also apply to our present-day struggles. Yet this is not just about David or us; it’s about the King, the Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, and how the world wants to accuse and diminish him.

Today, if the Messiah is allowed in society, it’s only in the personal lives of people, not in the public square. Yehovah Elohim - God will have none of this! People may plot against him, but it is in vain. They may set themselves against God - Yehovah, but they cannot win. They have no power, authority, or lasting impact compared to what God - Yehovah and His power have for us.

Psalm 2:3 is a picture of people breaking free from their chains. There is no restriction; they are living an unrestrained life. Now God’s – Yehovah’s laws are never oppressive, but what binds us is sin. As a result, we see the deception. They want to stay bound in their sin but be free from the light yoke of Jesus - Yeshua. They are plotting in vain and taking counsel against the things of Yehovah. Yet God - Yehovah determined that all their plans would be unsuccessful, and although they counseled together to come against the Messiah, God - Yehovah continued His plan. The good news is that God - Yehovah always has His turn. While the world may rage, He patiently endures. At the time of His choosing, He says, “Now I am going to speak. I will have my rule.”

A Merciful God - Elohim

Today, it may seem as though God - Yehovah is allowing things to happen. In our own judgment, we might stand against abortion or how transgenderism is being advocated for in schools. We want to stop these things, so why does God - Yehovah allow them to occur? How can we trust God - Yehovah when he seems to be too long-suffering with the problems around the world?

We know that a day of judgment is coming. On that day, God - Yehovah will say, “Enough is enough!” However, God - Yehovah holds off His judgment. He is patient and enduring, not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (see 2 Peter 3:9). He allows time for us to preach the gospel of Jesus–Yeshua the Messiah so that nations might come to the lord Jesus-Yeshua. He desires that hundreds, thousands, even millions of people would be welcomed into the family of God - Yehovah. He will bring His wrath and judgment, but that is in the future. Praise God - Yehovah for His patience and mercy.

Learning to Trust

Would it be better if God - Yehovah just took away the crisis? No, not for our spiritual growth. In times of crisis, we develop our spiritual muscles and learn how to battle through trials and tribulations. If we learn how to trust God - Yehovah in times of chaos, He will raise a people who delight in the law of Yehovah. We will be part of God’s – Yehovah’s kingdom plan, as it is written: “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Psalm 2:6).

Today, Jesus–Yeshua the Messiah is seated and established as ruler and king. Let the world rage. Let the government, news, social media, teachers, professors, and even fallen pastors say what they want to try to diminish God - Yehovah. They will never succeed because God - Yehovah answers: “I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

Live out Psalm 1. Delight in His word and trust Him with your whole heart. When you live in the raging world of Psalm 2, you will not be anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed. Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7). Be shining examples of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua and pillars of his peace. Although the world’s raging may increase, our trust is in God’s – Yehovah’s heritage, His Son, the Messiah Jesus - Yeshua. He will rule and reign for eternity. Amen.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand that the world is in chaos because of sin and rebellion against God - Yehovah.
• Delight in God’s – Yehovah’s word and develop confidence in Him, building spiritual resilience.
• Believe that God - Yehovah is shaking everything and is sovereignly working His plan out despite the chaos.

Written by Gary Wilkerson and edited by Bruce Lyon

 

LOVE: THE ONE COMMAND TO RULE THEM ALL!

I grew up in the 60s and 70s, during the Vietnam War years, during the Jesus People movement and the hippie movement and the anti-war protests, and the anti-war songs. Perhaps some of you are as familiar as I am with the lyrics of the iconic Bob Dylan song, “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Here are some of the lines:

“Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly before they’re forever banned?
Yes, and how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind.”

We might still ask those questions: how many deaths, how many times, how much hatred, how many killings, how many years, when will it end? Bob Dylan’s only hope was “blowin’ in the wind,” but our hope, as followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, is in the absolute assurance of a future Kingdom of peace and love here on this earth. It is to be established in the future after the return of Jesus-Yeshua, but I believe we are called and commanded to represent Kingdom characteristics now. Wherever our “foot shall tread,” people should be able to see the light of the Gospel message about the soon coming kingdom of God shining forth in our words and deeds.

When I began writing this article, I had in mind to focus on non-violence and loving our enemies. But as I continued to write, I realized my thoughts were stretching in another direction, also. Yes, we are commanded to love our enemies, but we are first commanded to love one another, love the people in our own “tribe,” the followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua. If we don’t love other believers, our brothers and sisters in the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, we cannot love those not in our tribe, who are outsiders, and our enemies.

The rise and spread of social media have created an environment never before experienced in which people can immediately communicate with others from one side of the globe to the other. We can also react to posts within seconds. And given the feeling of anonymity that exists in social media, where many of us hide behind pseudonyms, we find it far too easy to react in a knee-jerk way and to spew whatever first springs to mind. Unfortunately, because of our great predilection for juicy gossip or outrageous behaviors, or weird conspiracies, the algorithms of these platforms take note of what we click on to feed us more and more of this outrageousness. Pretty soon, we are deep down the rabbit hole. We lose our orientation of up and down. We seem to lose our ability to reason clearly and to control our reactions. Before we know it, we are also posting inflammatory statements, adding to the fires.

Sadly, I have witnessed this animosity so much in Christian online groups that I left several. Yes, I saw those who claim to be followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua name-calling and “yelling” - posts in all capital letters - at other followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua. This should not be!

One study I found asked the question: “Do churches and Christian’s love people unconditionally?” Only 41% of churchgoers and 76% of pastors surveyed replied in the affirmative. In other words, more than half of the churchgoers surveyed do not think that Christians, their own “tribe,” are loving, and a quarter of the pastors have that same negative view of their own sheep! This is shocking, disturbing data.

To those of you who have ears to listen: How will the world, the “outsiders,” know that you or I are disciples of Jesus-Yeshua if we are judgmentally judging, backbiting, gossiping, criticizing, ignoring, dismissing, name-calling, or screaming at fellow believers? Does that make us appear any different from the world around us? Do we compromise and make excuses for our un-Messiah like behavior? Do you see nonbelievers acting more lovingly than believers? Our actions reflect our true hearts. Jesus said that it is what comes out of our mouths, the things birthed in our hearts - the thoughts and plans of murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander, and more - that defile us (Matthew 15:16-20). The only way that the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples is by our love towards our brothers and sisters in the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, and to them! It is not by how much money we give to charities, or how much Scripture knowledge we have, or how large our congregation is, or by whatever other measurement you wish to use. As the old song reiterates, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Therefore, the second order after loving God above all else is to love our neighbors, all men and women we come in contact with, as ourselves.

I have just finished reading the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman. Based on hundreds of studies, data collections, and one-on-one conversations, he has learned that nonbelievers, or “outsiders” as he calls them, view Christians as hypocritical, judgmental, and overly involved in politics. In every chapter, the solution proposed was love. We followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua need to love our neighbors – all men and women, as we love ourselves. Instead of turning our noses up at their tattoos and piercings, their lifestyle choices, their colorful language, their “otherness,” we must remember to love them as we love ourselves. Treat others as we want them to treat us.

Matthew 9:36 states that “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NLT). Other versions describe the people as harassed, wearied, and cast away, distressed and downcast, dispirited and dejected.

Likely, not all, or maybe not many of the nonbelievers that you regularly encounter appear to be helpless or distressed or downcast. It is possible, they are happily enjoying their families, their jobs, their friends, their cabin at the lake, their lives. Even so, they need us to love them, not negatively judge them.

Whether they know it or not, they are “enemies of God,” just as we once were. According to Romans 5:10, it was “while we were enemies of God - Yehovah that the Son died for us.” So how do we dare judge others for doing the things we once did? And if God - Yehovah can love His enemies, how dare we do less? How dare we hold anger and bitterness in our hearts, hold on to decades-long grudges, and recall the injustices that others have done to us? None of that will draw anyone closer to salvation. Remember: it is God’s – Yehovah’s love, His patience, tolerance, and kindness that lead to repentance (Romans 2:4).

However, in our welcoming and loving and listening and caring, by no means do we compromise or dilute the Truth. God’s – Yehovah’s expectations are true and timeless. We love, as Jesus did, while still being honest with the unsaved. Jesus extended compassion towards the woman caught in adultery, but he also delivered truth: “Go and sin no more” (John 8:1-11). We do nonbelievers no good if we show them love without also giving them truth. Patiently showing our love to them may entice them towards salvation (as just quoted from Romans 2:4), but it is the confession of sins, the profession of Jesus-Yeshua as lord, and following God’s – Yehovah’s commandments that grant entrance into the future Kingdom of God that we all look forward to. Would any of us want to be standing nearby during the Great White Throne Judgment and have a nonbeliever point at us accusingly, saying, “You never told me!”

Loving Our Enemies

Now, I will enter perhaps more controversial territory. Up to this point, I have had in mind our not-yet-saved family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and people we are in regular contact with. Let me now widen that group. What about people we consider to be our enemies? What about the evildoers in our community? What about the people who hate us? What about the people on the other side of the political divide? What about those terrorist groups and those countries they came from? What about those people “over there” who don’t hold our American values? Is it okay to negatively judge them, shun them, hate them? No!

Let me tell you two significant events that changed and solidified my thinking on this subject. First of all, I was with a missionary team ministering in Nicaragua in July of 1986 during the Sandinista-Contra war. As Americans, we not only represented the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua to them; we also represented America. Believers there said to us, “Please tell your government to stop supporting the war here that is killing us.”

The second event occurred only a few months later when I was attending Atlanta Bible College. Anthony Buzzard posed the question of whether Christians should be involved in the military and in war. The answer should be obvious. You cannot love your neighbor, all men and women, as you love yourself, and be involved in killing them. Can you imagine the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua in the military? The answer is obvious: NO.

As Bible-believing, Scripture-quoting, followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, we cannot pick and choose which of his words to obey and which ones to ignore. If Jesus is truly our “Commander-in-Chief,” we have no other choice but to abide by every word that he spoke, even if it goes against our broken human nature or against society or against our own government. According to Matthew 28:20, shortly before his ascension to heaven, Jesus told the disciples to go out into the world to make more disciples in every nation by teaching them to obey all the commands he had given them. The word “all” does not leave room for any exception. We are to obey all his commands.

Look up Jesus’ – Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5:43-46: “You have heard that the Law said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… For if you love only those who love you, what reward do you get for that? Even the tax collectors [evildoers] do that!”

These words were also recorded by Luke: “But I say to anyone who is listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If someone hits you on one cheek, turn the other cheek… Do to others what you want them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you deserve any credit for that? Sinners do that as well. But I tell you to love your enemies, do good to them, and lend without expecting to be repaid anything. Then you will receive a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, for He is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:23-25).

So, are you listening? Do you want to be children of the Most High God? Are you as compassionate as your God and Father - Yehovah is compassionate?

During the last days before his death, Jesus spoke repeatedly and emphatically about love as the right way for a disciple of God. John, whose letters to churches are full of talk of love, surely took to heart Jesus-Yeshua’s words. In chapter 13 of John’s Gospel, he quotes Jesus: “A new commandment I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Notice that he said three times to love one another. Love in the same way as I loved you. Thus, the world will recognize you as belonging to me. Amen!

 How will the world, the “outsiders,” know that you and I are disciples of Jesus? By our love, that is, if we are actually loving one another. If we are backbiting, gossiping, criticizing, ignoring, or dismissing fellow believers, will the world see the love? If we are sneering at the followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua who don’t believe exactly as we do, are we showing love? If we are turning our backs on the followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, fleeing desperate situations, do they feel the love? Loving one another is not just a suggestion from Jesus; it is an order, an edict, a mandate, a requirement for entrance into the kingdom of God!

In John 14:24-25, Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching… Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” What teachings was he referring to? Remember Matthew 28:20: “Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We don’t get to pick and choose what we like and what we don’t like about Jesus-Yeshua’s commands. Either he is our lord, our Master, or he is not. No amount of hemming and hawing, no number of excuses can exempt you or me or any other professing follower of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua from Jesus-Yeshua’s order to love one another and to love our enemies. Remember we are bought with a price, the shed the blog Jesus’-Yeshua shed on the cross when he gave himself up as a sin-offering sacrifice to reconcile humanity to his God and Father Yehovah. That makes us the slaves of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, and slaves must follow the orders of their Master or suffer grave consequences.

Some ask this question: What if someone breaks into your home, attacks your family, assaults your spouse and your children, what then? I will not say that I will know beforehand exactly how I would react in such a desperate situation. I will say that I will have no desire to hurt or kill that person. I will do what I can to protect my family up to the point that I might have to die for what I believe, and I pray God to give me the strength to deal with it. I will do all I can to avoid hurting or taking an attacker’s life, for that would not only be not loving him/her, but it would also be taking from him/her any chance of his/her ever repenting and turning to God - Yehovah for salvation. I may lose my life in an attack situation, but I know my future destination; I will have my promised future in the Kingdom of God.

Remember that it was while we were God-Yehovah’s enemies, not good believers, that Jesus-Yeshua died for all of us. Romans 5:6-8 again: “For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, the Messiah died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man, someone might dare to die. God - Yehovah proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us.”

Jesus Our Example

Jesus-Yeshua is our lord, and he is the one we should always be looking to as an example of how to act in every given circumstance. When in doubt, ask yourself: What would Jesus do? How did Jesus treat the despised persons of his society - the tax collectors, for instance? He invited himself to supper at Zacchaeus’ home, and it transformed that man’s life! How did Jesus treat the prostitutes? He admonished them to go and sin no more. How did Jesus treat others who were accusing him? He answered them with wisdom and truth; he did not spread lies about them on social media. How did Jesus treat those who were instrumental in his death? Did he call down legions of angels, as he had the power to do? Or did he order his disciples to attack? Or did he scream obscenities at them and cancel them on X and Instagram, and Facebook? Not my Jesus. While in deepest agony on the cross, my Jesus proclaimed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

We have seen what Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have written. What did that prolific writer and devoted disciple, Paul, have to say on this subject? Quite a lot, in fact.

Romans 13:10: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor.”

Romans 12:17-21: “As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people [not just the ones you like]. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Never take your own revenge. Instead, let God deal with them. But if your enemy is hungry, you should feed them and give them something to drink. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”

Galatians 5:14: “The whole law in one phrase is: Love your neighbor [all men/women] as yourself.”

That word “neighbor” means anybody around me, including next-door neighbors, friends, strangers on the street, and enemies. Just consider the ancient story of the Good Samaritan as told by Jesus in Luke 10:30-37. It wasn’t the religious people who helped the badly injured man; it was his “enemy.” The hated Samaritan man, the person who was supposed to hate the Jew in return, chose to act in love instead.

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthian church, gives a detailed description of God’s love working through those who are His, in chapter 13. God’s love in those who are His is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, does not keep records of wrongs, and does not delight in evil. Instead, they rejoices with the truth, always protect, always trust, always persevere, and never fail. Love wins! Later in that letter, Paul urges the Corinthian Christians, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

As people who claim to be followers of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, who claim to love God - Yehovah and His Son and the truth about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, we must strive to represent, enabled to do so by the Spirit of Jesus-Yeshua. We cannot do it by our own strength. We can only live out the life of the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua by the enabling power of his indwelling Spirit. We can do nothing righteous without his enabling spirit working through us. “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2). We must realize that in the lord Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, we are in this world but are not of this world. (John 15:19) In that future Kingdom, there will no longer be fighting, nor war, nor sadness, nor weeping, nor hatred, nor killing. We must now, in this life, love with a Messiah like sacrificial love. We must live out the love of God that works in us and through us by the enabling power of His Spirit, if we want to make any kind of impact in this world. Jesus has given us our marching orders to take his message of the soon-coming kingdom of God to the nations.

The writer of the epistles of John, one of Jesus’ beloved followers, states unequivocally that if we are not loving our fellow brethren, we are liars still living in darkness. In 1 John 2:3-9, he wrote: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person… Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” John repeats this admonishment to live and love as Jesus-Yeshua did throughout the rest of that letter. We ignore these words at our own peril. We can be almost perfect in our teaching, but without love towards others, our teachings are worthless, and we are considered liars. We must love in truth and speak God’s – Yehovah’s truth in love.

In conclusion, as John said in 1 John 2:7, “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.” We have known “from the beginning” that we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40, Luke 12:28-32). Jesus added on to this instruction to include loving and praying for our enemies. As can now be clearly seen, we are to first and foremost love God. Secondly, love our neighbors – all men and women. And thirdly, love our enemies. Thus, we have the one commandment to rule them all: LOVE.

Written by Alane Rozelle, Michigan, from the 2025 online Theological Conference: youtube.com/focusonthekingdom,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1zH5AM2-zw

Edited by Bruce Lyon