Yeshua's Hope

 The apostle John is known for his great insight into “the love of Elohim”. When referring to our Heavenly Father's love, the Greek word is “agape”. Other Greek words are also translated as love, but agape specifically has to do with the nature of Elohim and those who are born of Him “No one who is born of Elohim practices sin [habitually], because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of Elohim" (1 John 3:9).  Yeshua was the only one who while in flesh and blood manifested this love perfectly.  This is why He could make the claims, “I am the Light of the world” and "The Father and I are one", since the nature of the Spiritual Light that He was referring to, IS “agape”.

John’s gospel reveals the true nature of the unseen Elohim and Father through Yeshua, while his epistles reveal the same love nature that is to be in a people who have been born after the Spirit. But unlike Yeshua, these still carry the residue of sin that is working in their flesh (Romans 7).  Despite this sin factor, through faith in the finished work of the Messiah, the believers have entered into His resurrected life. Thus, in their innermost being they possess this agape (love). Because of the purity and holiness of this divine nature, it can only be expressed authentically through vessels that are “dead to sin” and alive in Him. “By this the love [agape] of Elohim was manifested in us, that Elohim has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9).  

“Beloved, now we are children of Elohim, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2 emphasis added).  Paul says something very similar; “When Messiah, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4 emphasis added).  Both "appear" and "reveal" originate from the same Greek word, “phaneroo”.  In the two above-quoted scriptures lies the “mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested – phaneroo - in His saints, to whom Elohim willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27).

Paul prayed, “That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18 emphasis added).  What is Yeshua’s hope?  Is it not that He would have a body that manifests (phaneroo) His image and likeness (agape) in this world? As it is written: “For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Yeshua’s sake, that the life of Yeshua also may be manifested  - phaneroo – in/through our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:11).

According to Peter, we already have this divine nature (agape) in us. Knowing or experiencing the attributes/fruits of “agape” results in an intimate knowledge of Yeshua: “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah” (2 Peter 1:8).  This 'knowledge' emanates from an inner sense of restfulness and security (see Isaiah 32:17), rather than from anxiety that requires "works".  Yet all too often we try to overcome the sin that's in our flesh by putting a great deal of effort into 'imitating' Yeshua, and then end up failing miserably. Elohim has already provided a way to overcome sin, and that is by putting to death the sinner (see Romans 6:2; 11).  Believing the fact that Yeshua’s death is also my death makes for overcoming.  Hence there is an RIP over my head and I can truly Rest In (His) Peace, which passes my understanding.  The amazing thing that happens in my ‘body of death’ is that the resurrected life of the Messiah is now released to phaneroo Himself in this world of darkness.  Thus, it is not I who live, but Messiah!

 “I have been crucified with Messiah; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in; (or I live by the faith of… or both) the Son of Elohim, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). One way or another - it is a done deal!

Embracing this truth enables us to truly understand the meaning of and experience, “Shabbat Shalom” - “Rest and Peace”.