As he starts this episode in the Gospel of John chapter 1, verse 1, Rabbi Steve Berkson enlightens us with an interesting observation about Messiah Yeshua and his relationship with his Father. This observation flies in the face of any other doctrine regarding “oneness,” the “Trinity,” etc.

• What role did Messiah Yeshua have in the creation account?

• In what way does John 1 parallel Genesis 1?

In John chapter 1, we are introduced to another John, “John the Immerser,” or “John the Baptist.”

• Was there a clash between the two ministries, John and Yeshua?

• How else was John known to the people – how did they regard him?

• What was his role in the entrance of Messiah into the world? Verse 12 says, “to those believing in His Name.”

Rabbi Berkson clarifies that although the name of Yeshua is important, the message conveyed here is not so much the name as it is the “authority” behind the name. Being in the state of “darkness” places one under no authority or the wrong authority. Being in the state of “light,” one has submitted to the authority of Elohim. In that latter state, one is also given the authority to become the children of Elohim. From John chapter 1, Rabbi Berkson moves us into John chapter 3 so he can expound on the well-known verse 16. The exposition he gives on John 3:16 is not for the average listener, as there seems to be much more meaning in this one verse than most people have understood all their life.

• What does it mean to “believe in Him”? Is belief merely mental assent?

• Why are the words “should not” and “might” used in this verse?

• Is John 3:16 an if/then statement?

Moving forward into John 8:12, Messiah Yeshua declares He is the Light of Life. Then, He makes the call to discipleship under Him by saying whoever follows Him would possess the Light. Rabbi Berkson gives insight into what it means to possess something.

Going forward in the Gospel of John, Rabbi Berkson stops at chapter 9, where we see the account of Yeshua healing a blind man. His disciples asked Him why and how this man became blind. Was it something he or his parents did? Rabbi Berkson cautions all of us to stop looking at someone else’s condition and guessing why and how they got there. Sometimes, it’s just to manifest the works of Elohim.

Once again, Rabbi Steve Berkson delves deeper into scripture to uncover more dimensions of Darkness and Light.

To learn more about MTOI, visit our website, https://mtoi.org.

https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide

https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide

You can contact MTOI by emailing us at [email protected] or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and every Friday for Torah Study Live Stream at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.