The Gospel According to MATTHEW

Matthew’s aim is to present Jesus, not only as the Messiah, but as the Son of David, and to elaborate this truth in such a way that it would aid the Christians in their controversies with the Jews. He shows how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, and how the Law is filled with new meaning and supplemented in the Person, words, and work of Christ. Matthew also points out how the rejection of Christ by Israel’s leadership results in the extension of God’s salvation to all people who will receive, rather than reject, His Son. “The kingdom of God will be taken from you [Israel] and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (21:43).

The purpose of Matthew is evident in the structure of his book, which groups the teachings and deeds of Jesus into five divisions. The fivefold structure, common in Judaism, may reveal Matthew’s purpose of showing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law. Each division concludes with the formula, “And when Jesus had ended these sayings” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).

Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy (41 OT quotes) shows that Jesus’ life and ministry were part of the single plan of God throughout the history of Israel, and that His death and Resurrection were part of God’s divine plan from the beginning. The entire Gospel stresses that Jesus is Immanuel—God-With-Us.

Because God is with us in the Person of Jesus, Matthew’s Gospel calls for complete obedience in personal and corporate life.

The book also gives to the church a clarion call to mission, the proclamation of the good news to all peoples. Christian disciples must learn to live within the tension of two ages, the present age of fulfillment in the Person of Jesus (in His words and works through His church by the Spirit’s power) and the Age to Come, that is, the consummation of all things. In the interim, Christians are called to be humble, patient, genuine, faithful, watchful, and responsible—assured of the risen Jesus’ presence as they are expectant of His return when faith will give way to sight.

This Gospel presents Jesus as the fulfillment of all messianic hopes and expectations. Matthew carefully structures his narratives to reveal Jesus as fulfilling specific prophecies. Therefore, he saturates his Gospel with both quotations from and allusions to the Old Testament, introducing many of them with the formula “that it might be fulfilled.”

In the Gospel, Jesus often refers to Himself as the Son of Man, a veiled reference to His messiahship (see Dan. 7:13, 14). Not only did the term allow Jesus to avoid common misunderstandings stemming from more popular messianic titles, but it enabled Him to interpret both His redemptive mission (as in 17:12, 22; 20:28; 26:24) and His return in glory (as in 13:41; 16:27; 19:28; 24:30, 44; 26:64).

Matthew’s use of the title “Son of God” clearly underscores Jesus’ deity (see 1:23; 2:15; 3:17; 16:16). As the Son, Jesus has a direct and unmediated relationship with the Father (11:27).

Matthew presents Jesus as Lord and Teacher of the church, the new community, which is called to live out the new ethic of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus declares “the church” as His select instrument for fulfilling the purposes of God on Earth (16:18; 18:15–20). Matthew’s Gospel may have served as a teaching manual for the early church, including the amazing world-oriented Great Commission (28:12–20), with its guarantee of Jesus’ living presence.

The activity of the Holy Spirit is evident at every phase of the life and ministry of Jesus. It was by the power of the Spirit that Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb (1:18, 20).

Before Jesus began His public ministry, He was filled with the Spirit of God (3:16), and followed the Spirit’s leading into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil as further preparation for His messianic role (4:1). The power of the Spirit enabled Jesus to heal (12:15–21) and to cast out demons (12:28).

Just as John immersed his followers in water, Jesus will immerse His followers in the Holy Spirit (3:11). In 7:21–23 we find a warning directed against false charismatics, those in the church who prophesy, cast out demons, and do wonders, but do not do the will of the Father. Presumably, the same Holy Spirit who inspires charismatic activities, must also empower the people of the church to do the will of God (7:21).

Jesus declared that His works were done in the power of the Holy Spirit, giving evidence that the kingdom of God had come and that the power of Satan was being overthrown. Therefore, to ascribe the power of the Spirit to the Devil was to commit an unpardonable sin (12:28–32).

In 12:28 the Holy Spirit is connected to Jesus’ exorcisms and the present reality of the kingdom of God, not solely by the fact of exorcism per se, for the Pharisees’ sons (disciples) also practice exorcism (12:27). Rather, the Holy Spirit is with the Messiah effecting a new event—“the kingdom of God has come upon you” (v. 28).

Finally, the Holy Spirit is found in the Great Commission (28:16–20). The disciples are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (v. 19). That is, they are to baptize them “unto/with reference to” the name, or authority, of the triune God. In their obedience to this commission, Jesus’ disciples are assured of His ongoing presence with them.

~Bits and Pieces of Matthew in the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Experiencing the Fragrance of the Holy Spirit

Tonight I had a supernatural experience with Holy Spirit, after a day of diving into the Word and ending the day tucking in and praying Shalom over my granddaughter.  This is the first time I have experienced the fragrance of the Messiah and it was a very humbling experience.  I was so undone and didn't want it to end.  As I type these words I can still smell a scent of the fragrance and the presence of the Lord.  

Of course, I needed to know more about what I had just experienced so searched and found the devotional below by Jennifer LeClaire which helped me to wrap my mind around it and breath calmly.

Deep worship, abandonment and surrender—a willingness to yield to His every movement as you listen for the sound of His heart—ushers you into the Holy Spirit’s presence in a magnificent way.  Sometimes you can even smell His fragrance.

Oh, how sweet it is when He chooses to allow us to smell the fragrance of His knowledge, the fragrance of His love, the fragrance of His anointing! And if we’ll embrace that moment and allow that anointing to rest upon us, we’ll come out with a fragrance that will attract others to His heart. Amen.

I want to share with you what Scripture says about these supernatural experiences.

His Name Is Like a Perfume

In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite woman declares that God’s love is better than wine: “Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth” (Song 1:3-4). Where the name of Jesus is exalted in adoration, the stage is set for you to enter into a secret place in which you smell that anointed ointment that’s poured fourth in your midst.

The Fragrance of His Knowledge

Paul the apostle understood the sweet smell of victory—literally. When we follow the Holy Spirit no matter where He leads us, He will give us fresh power to be His witness and through us diffuse “the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2:14). We may offer a repulsive smell to those who refuse Christ, but those who are seeking Him will smell His life upon our garments.

The Fragrance of His Love

When we walk in love, we give off His scent. God is love, and when we abide in Him, we will smell like Him. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph. 5:1-2).

The Fragrance of the Anointing

Exodus 30:23-25 instructs, “Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil.”

The Anointing Abides

Of course, if you are born again, the anointing abides: “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1 John 2:27).

This is true, and yet there is a another experience of the anointing—that fragrance of God, the sweet-smelling aroma of His presence. One way to get to that place is through deep worship, opening your heart up completely to Him, asking for nothing and ready to receive anything He might offer, and pursuing His heart with all of your heart.

In the end, there’s no formula for entering into a place where the fragrance of God manifests. And that should not be our goal in intimacy, but oh, how sweet it is when He chooses to allow us to smell the fragrance of His knowledge, the fragrance of His love, the fragrance of His anointing! And if we’ll embrace that moment and allow that anointing to rest upon us, we’ll come out with a fragrance that will attract others to His heart. Amen.

Bits and Pieces of Supernatural Encounters:  Smelling the Fragrance of God by Jennifer Leclaire

According to Strong's Concordance 7965 Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Most know that the Hebrew word shalom is understood around the world to mean "peace." However, "peace" is only one small part of the meaning. "Shalom" is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell, and it means much more than "peace, hello or goodbye"....Hebrew words go beyond their spoken pronunciation.  Each Hebrew word conveys feeling, intent and emotion. Shalom is more then just simply peace; it is a complete peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.

Of course, there is only one way to find TRUE shalom - and that is in the Word of YHWH. Many search for fulfillment, happiness and contentment in material possessions, money, sex, entertainment, etc. But those things do nothing to fill "that little hole in our soul" that only GOD can fill! Those things only serve to distract and prevent us from finding true peace...the shalom that can only come from Him who created and put all things into place.

If you'll recall, Yeshua is called Sar shalom, Prince of Peace, which perfectly describes the ministry and personality of our Messiah (Isaiah 9:6).In other words, the word shalom is a mighty blessing on several levels!

Proverbs 18:21 tells us there is life or death in the power of the tongue. Therefore, whenever you employ the word "shalom" you are speaking into someone's life all the wonderful things that shalom means!

Numbers 6:24-26: YHWH bless you and keep you. YHWH make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. YHWH lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM. In the name of Yeshua haMashiyach SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace.

Bits and Pieces of The Refiners Fire

30 July 2017 Sunday Evening Worship - Jeremy Riddle & Amanda Cook || Bethel Worship

My Glimpses of Heaven with Divine Guidance

TONIGHT begins Hoshana Rabbah - Jewish People will be Crying Out "Lord Save Us"!

Tomorrow is the last day to shake the lulav and eat in the sukkah, here in Israel.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday), Deborah!

Tonight begins Hoshana Rabbah (Great Salvation)

"O Lord, save us [hoshia'na]; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you." (Psalm 118:25–26)

The eight-day festival of Sukkot is almost finished, and since it is a holiday of rejoicing, it closes with three final festive days:

Hoshana Rabbah (Great Salvation), Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly), and Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah).

Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh day of Sukkot, begins tonight and, as is customary, many will stay up all night reading the entire book of Deuteronomy and the Book of Psalms.

Raising the Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem during Sukkot

Tomorrow, Jewish people all over the world are intensely worshiping the Lord their God, since according to tradition, Hoshana Rabbah is the day on which the judgment that was sealed on Yom Kippur is "delivered."

For that reason this day is characterized by prayer, repentance, and praise.

Because this day is the day that judgment is delivered, it is customary to greet one another with Pitka Tova, which means a good note, referring to being sealed in the Book of Life.

In Temple times, on Hoshana Rabbah, the Jewish People cried out "Ana Adonai Hoshia'na," which means "Save us, Lord!"

This prayer is never uttered in vain: God promises that all who call upon His name will be saved.

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls." (Joel 2:32; see also Romans 10:13)

The Torah scrolls are brought to the bema (platform) on Hoshana Rabbah, and a processional of worshipers carrying their lulav and etrogs (citrons) circle the sanctuary seven times, reciting prayers called Hoshanot (plural for save us).

"For seven days present food offerings to the Lord, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work." (Leviticus 23:36; see also Numbers 29:36)

As the sun sets tomorrow, Hoshana Rabbah ends and Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly) begins.

Rabbinic tradition teaches that on Shemini Atzeret, the world is judged concerning water, fruit, and produce. On this day, the amount of rainfall for the coming year is decided.

For that reason, on the eighth day that is set aside by God for a closing assembly, the Jewish people recite special prayers for rain.  In ancient times, a special water drawing ceremony was performed every night during Sukkot called Simchat Beit HaShoeva (Rejoicing at the House of the Water-Drawing).

This ceremony is thought to have originated during the Second Temple period, when the Cohen HaGadol (High Priest) would draw water from the Pool of Siloam. He then poured it out upon the altar as a Water Libation (offering).

The people would follow the cohen (priest) to the Pool of Siloam in a joyous processional of singing, dancing and rejoicing, reciting Hallel (Praises) from Psalms 113–118 and 120–134, and chanting Isaiah 12:3: "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation [yeshua]."

Yeshua (Jesus), who understood and answered our heart's cry for salvation, addressed these themes of salvation and water on the last day of Sukkot when He proclaimed that all who believe in Him will be refreshed with rivers of living water.

"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Yeshua stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'" (John 7:37–38)

The water He was speaking of was the eternal Spirit of God (John 7:39).
Yeshua was poured out like water, as described in the Messianic Psalm 22:14.
It was only after He poured out His soul to death that God poured out the rain of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) upon the earth (Acts 2:1–4).

Water is a powerful symbol in this hot, dry country of Israel, where it's easy to become dehydrated if we don't drink enough water.

Sadly, few realize that they are perishing without the water of the Spirit of God.
These final days of Sukkot are the perfect time to consider Yeshua's invitation to come to Him when we are weary or full of sorrow, and to be refreshed by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

Please PRAY TODAY that the Jewish People will draw the Living Water from the wells of true salvation in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), and that all Israel will call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

"The water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)

~Messianic Bible news@biblesforisrael.com