Beth Ariel Messianic Congregation

Message from Shabbat service at Tarzana, September 9, 2023

Yeshua's third extended teaching is on his Messianic Sonship (John 5:19-47). In verses 31-47 in Yeshua presents 5 witnesses in defense of his claim to be the Messianic Son. His first witness is the Father (vs.31-32, 37-38). While it is possible that the one spoken of in verse 31 could be that of John the Baptist (vs.33-35), it seems more probable that the Father is meant. 

Yeshua's second witness is John the Baptist (vs. 33-35). Yeshua points out that John was the herald of the king. John said as much when he was questioned by those sent by the Sanhedrin to investigate John's ministry. He said, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord'" quoting Isaiah 40:3 (John 1:23).

The third witness to Yeshua's claim to be the Messianic Son is that of his works (vs.36). The works that Yeshua is to accomplish are no ordinary works. They are the "very works that the Father has given me to complete..." Such works bear the authenticating characteristics of God himself thereby testifying that Yeshua is the Messianic Son.

The fourth witness are the Scriptures themselves (vs. 39-40). Even though these Jewish leaders constantly and consistently studied and investigated the Scriptures, they failed to understand its most significant truth claim. Had they interpreted the Scripture rightly, they would have come to recognize Yeshua as the Messianic Son.

Yeshua's final testimony is that of Moses (vs. 45-47). Here we are met with an unexpected witness in support of Yeshua's claim. The Jewish leaders prided themselves in their connection to Moses, Israel's great lawgiver. Had they rightly understood the purpose of the Law they would not have "set their hopes" on Moses. They would have known that the Law was not a means of salvation, but rather a means by which they would know of their sinfulness and of God's provision of an atoning sacrifice that would not merely cover Israel's sin, but remove their sin and render them right with God.

Yeshua provided these witnesses not because he needs them to justify that he is telling the truth about who he is (John 8:13). He is telling the truth with or without these witnesses. So why the witnesses? Yeshua says that he brings to their attention these witnesses, "so that you might be saved" (vs.34).

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Message from Shabbat service at Tarzana, September 2, 2023

At this service, Alan Radecki, one of our Leadership Team members shares from God's Word and presents a wonderful message on John 1:1-14. In it he provides 7 keys to understanding this very complex but invigorating passage. Alan draws our attention to: 1. John's use of "chiasms." 2. The deliberate connection to the creation account in Genesis. 3. The subtle revelation of the Triune nature and character of God. 4. The nature and character of the Word who was with God and was God. 5. The important theme of "light" in the Scriptures. 6. John the Baptist the herald of the King as the promised witness. 7. God the creator and restorer of life. 

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Jewishness of Christianity, In this episode, Gary continues to discuss Rosh Hashana. This 1 minute radio feature will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning September 15, 2023, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Jewishness of Christianity, In this episode, Gary continues to discuss Rosh Hashana. This 1 minute radio feature will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning September 8, 2023, on Fridays during rush hour.

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 Message from Shabbat Service at Tarzana, August 19, 2023. 

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Jewishness of Christianity, In this episode, Gary discusses Rosh Hashanna. This 1 minute radio feature will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning September 1, 2023, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Jewishness of Christianity, In this episode, Gary discusses Eternal Life. This 1 minute radio feature will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning August 25, 2023, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Message from Shabbat Service at Tarzana, August 12, 2023.

Gary continues to explore Yeshua's third discourse or extended teaching which focuses on the person or nature of Messiah the Son (John 5:19-23). In this section, Yeshua begins his defense for claiming "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (v.16)
The purpose in all of this is to convince humanity to "honor the Son just as they honor the Father" (v.23). The unity between the Father and the Son is such that to honor the Son is to honor the Father, and to honor the Father, one must so honor the Son. What is done to one is done to the other. It is therefore impossible for one to honor the Father and fail to honor the Son. It is impossible for one to love the Father and fail to love the Son. In the words of Yeshua, "He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him."

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Jewishness of Christianity, In this episode, Gary discusses the Light. This 1 minute radio feature will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning August 18, 2023, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Jewishness of Christianity, In this episode, Gary discusses salvation. This 1 minute radio feature will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning August 11, 2023, on Fridays during rush hour.

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