April 2004

PASSION

Dear Partners in Passion!

Last month we touched briefly upon the controversial, powerful presentation of the final twelve hours of Yeshua’s life as depicted on film by Mel Gibson. This month, after viewing the film and prayerfully pondering it, we feel led to share our hearts with you concerning the film’s merits and divine purpose at this time in history.

First of all, we owe a debt of gratitude to Mel Gibson for his use of the word THE. Notice that he did not title the film, "The Passion of Christ," but "The Passion of the Christ." In so doing, he subtly corrected the overwhelming tendency in Christian circles of using Christ as Jesus’ last name (which it is not). Christ comes from the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah in English) which was Yeshua’s title, not His name. He is Jesus the Christ, or Yeshua the Messiah, literally Yeshua the Anointed One. He is also THE Messiah in the sense that He is the only true Messiah. There have been many men throughout history who claimed to be the Messiah, but Yeshua is the real Messiah, sent from God to redeem mankind.

In using THE before the word Passion, Mel Gibson has opened the minds of the entire world to another definition of the word "passion" which has the potential of transforming billions of lives. Before the film, "passion" meant only one thing to most of us. Then Gibson opened up a divine dictionary and we were reminded of a deeper definition of the word.

The dictionary defines passion as 1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling; 2. strong affection, love; 3. strong sexual desire, lust; 4. an instance or experience of this; 5. a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire; 6. a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for a thing...

A secondary dictionary definition is theological. It is the one referred to in Mel Gibson’s film: a) the sufferings of Christ on the cross or His sufferings subsequent to the Last Supper. b) the narrative of Christ’s sufferings as recorded in the Gospels.

The actual word "passion" is found only once in the Bible, in Acts 1:3 (KJV), and refers to Messiah’s sufferings. The context of verse 3 is a letter written to Theophilus, one of Yeshua’s followers, in which Luke recounts Yeshua’s appearances to His talmidim following His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead: "To whom also he (Yeshua) showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."

While some have felt the urge to cry out, "Stop! Enough!" during various parts in the movie, we did not. The overflowing cup of human sin necessitated great suffering on Yeshua’s part. Remember, "It pleased the Lord to bruise him" (Isaiah 53:10). The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob made the supreme sacrifice in not sparing His only son. He allowed "great suffering" that we might have a "great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3).

Jamie went to see "The Passion" with three ninth grade boys as Neil was out of town ministering. Jesse’s high school had arranged a night for parents and high schoolers to go see the film together. (Since the film is rated R because of violence, children under 17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.) Jamie was apprehensive about going since she had never been to an R-rated movie and doesn’t handle violence very well. A couple of days of prayer and fasting before going to see the film definitely helped. All three teenagers were very moved by the film. When Jamie got in the car with them, she asked the question: "What was the most difficult part of the film for you?" One of the boys said that the relentless beatings as Yeshua carried the cross were difficult for him. The other had a hard time handling the violence of the Roman torture, particularly the instruments used. Jesse was silent. After Jamie dropped the other boys off at their homes, she asked our son, Jesse, the question again: "What was the hardest part of the film for you?" His four word answer speaks volumes: "That I caused it."

We know that some people, believers and nonbelievers alike, strongly disagree with the extent of the suffering in the film. There is a lot of blood. Is this consistent with the Bible and the God of the Bible? We think so. The entire sacrificial system given by God to Moses beginning in Exodus 28 demanded blood, lots of it. The blood of innocent lambs flowed in a steady stream from the Temple Mount into the Kidron Valley. The smell of blood was always in the air. The Torah makes it clear that "it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul" (Leviticus 17:11). Most of us find the sight of blood distasteful: we recoil from it. In Gibson’s film, blood becomes an experience. It speaks. The Gospel, generally black and white to many 21st century believers becomes glaringly, shockingly red in "The Passion." Just as Cain killed Abel, and Abel’s blood cried out to God (Genesis 4:10), each of us (as Jesse said) killed Yeshua, whose blood speaks better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). What does the blood of Yeshua cry out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The blood also testifies to the truth that it "cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7) Halleluyah! Abel’s blood condemned Cain. Yeshua’s blood justifies us. That is indeed "better." Abel’s blood resulted in death. Yeshua’s blood resulted in life. As Yeshua says to His mother in a very touching, bloody moment in the film, "I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

Gibson’s film opens in the Garden of Gethsemane (Gat Shemen, literally "Oil Press"), where the Anointed One of God endured emotional, mental and spiritual suffering that was perhaps even greater than the subsequent physical suffering. It was in the Garden that Yeshua accepted the cup of suffering to follow. It was here that He wrestled with the powers of hell that sought to keep Him from fulfilling the will of His Father. It was here that Yeshua experienced the second cup of the Passover Seder, the cup of judgment, the one in which each participant at the Seder drips drops of wine, as if they were blood, onto their plate. At the Exodus, God judged the gods of the Egyptians. In the Garden, God judged the sins of the world. He did this by placing them upon His Son, the Messiah. The passion of Yeshua in the Garden was very intense: "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44). Is this simply metaphorical? Probably not. According to medical literature, there is a very rare medical phenomenon known as Hematidrosis or bloody sweat. Under great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. The passion of Yeshua and His wrestling with the enormous pain that awaited Him could very likely have caused this reaction. As He was crushed under the burden of the sin of all mankind, His precious blood began to drop onto the world’s plate.

Yeshua’s final drops of blood were spilled from the cross right before His body was removed. The legs of the two thieves on either side of Yeshua were broken so that they would die and be removed before the beginning of the Sabbath (of Passover). When they came to Yeshua, the Roman soldiers saw that He was already dead and did not need to break His legs (Psalm 34:20, John 19:36). One of them pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water came out. This escape of water fluid from the sac surrounding the heart gives medical evidence that Yeshua died not of suffocation (the usual crucifixion death) but of a broken heart (heart failure). Our sin broke His heart, but His passionate love for us gladly bore the pain: "...for the joy that was set before Him (Yeshua) endured the cross, despising the shame...(Hebrews 12:2).

In contemplating the passion of Yeshua, the Lord led us to research suffering in the New Covenant. We were somewhat surprised to see the number of references to suffering as applied to the lives of Yeshua’s followers. Anything believers face, of course, is a "light affliction" (II Corinthians 4:17) compared with the unfathomable passion of their Master. Nevertheless, Yeshua did promise that His followers would experience some degree of suffering: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). All around the world today true followers of Yeshua are suffering for their faith. We were especially touched by the story of one suffering believer shared by the late Richard Wurmbrand of The Voice of the Martyrs. Adventist prisoners in Romania were beaten savagely every Saturday in a Communist prison because, though excellent workers on other days, they would refuse to break the Shabbat. When questioned whether God really required this sacrifice of them one pastor replied: "I am sure God does not demand this sacrifice of me. I refuse to break the Sabbath under threat, not because God asks it of me, but to give Him a surprise." What an example of Godly passion (definition #1) in the midst of suffering!

The grace of God makes it possible for one who belongs to Yeshua to endure persecution, rejection, betrayal and opposition of every kind in His name. "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray" (James 5:13). Rabbi Shaul (the Apostle Paul) prayed when he suffered. He wrote: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). The Apostle Peter emphasizes that believers will suffer for their faith but also promises a glorious end. "...but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s (Messiah’s) sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" (I Peter 4:13). Prayerfully consider I Corinthians 12:26, II Corinthians 1:5-7, Philippians 1:29, I Timothy 4:10, and I Peter 4:19.

Anti-Semitic acts are increasing at an alarming rate in countries all around the world, as are anti-Christian acts. In some Muslim countries Christians have been beaten, while others have been murdered or sold into slavery. We have always maintained that the anti-Semitic and anti-Christian spirits are two fingers on the same hand. Ha Satan (literally The Adversary) hates God’s Covenant people... both Covenants. We sense a real possibility of widespread persecution of both Jews and Christians as the return of Yeshua draws near. Perhaps the Lord ordained this film to be made at this time in history to prepare us for what lies ahead. Nothing we will ever go through compares with what the Messiah did for us! He paid the ultimate price. His body literally became the lechem oni, the bread of affliction (Deuteronomy 16:3) of the Passover, striped and pierced for our redemption and our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing.

Does His passion elicit passion in your heart? How much do you love Yeshua? Can you say, "What is the surprise I can give to Him? What more can I bear, suffer, give or do for Him that would greatly gladden His heart?" How deeply do you identify with Yeshua? The official response of the Jewish Orthodox Union to "The Passion" stated that their concern was not so much with anti-Semitism the movie might cause, but rather that "Jews who see this film will identify deeply with Jesus, and will disidentify with their own God-given identity as the Jewish people." The rabbis are concerned that pride in being Jewish will be undermined. "We thank G-d for our Jewish identity" (Dr. Weinrab). "Not all Jews were hostile to Jesus" (Rabbi Dr. David Berger). How true! A Jew who falls in love with Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, is still a Jew and does not have to lose his Jewish identity. He or she becomes a fulfilled, completed Jew with a vibrant, living, personal relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob–all because of The Passion and the Resurrection that followed.

We need passionate partners now in order to stay on the Inspirational Network (INSP). Our airtime fee has just been increased to $1995 per week. Please ask God this question: "Lord, would it gladden your heart to see JewishJewels remain on INSP? What should I (we) give to make this possible? What sacrifice of love would be pleasing to You?" God bless you for obeying and standing with us in our suffering as we contemplate reaching less people at a time when we need to reach more with the message of Yeshua’s passion for all men–especially His own Jewish people.

They Thought for Themselves by Sid Roth – This book contains a fascinating collection of testimonies of Jewish people from widely divergent backgrounds who "dared to confront the forbidden" and received Yeshua as their Messiah. Numbered in the collection are a holocaust survivor, a yogi, a multi-millionaire, a media executive, a Ph.D and others.

The Servant King – 4 x 6 illustrated book of the Gospel of Luke. Each scripture contains scenes from the movie "The Passion of the Christ." Useful for outreach, 37pgs.

Join us as we go up to Zion to celebrate Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles, and bring comfort and minister mercy to the people of Israel. The cost is $2599 per person based on two persons per room.

This price includes the following:

• round trip airfare on EL AL from New York

• 1 night in Tel Aviv • 3 nights at the Sea of Galilee

• 1 night at the Dead Sea • 5 nights in Jerusalem

• full breakfast and dinner each day

• 8 days of touring in an air conditioned bus with licensed tour guide

• special Succot Conference including Messianic guest speakers, musical artists, pagentry and dance

• daily prayer gatherings and opportunities to minister to Israelis

• transfers to and from airport

• all tips and entrance fees to tour sites

Does not include:

• airline security tax

• connecting flights to NY airport

• lunches and personal spending money

To request full-color brochure, please indicate on enclosed mailback or call 1-800-2YESHUA.

This will be an intimate tour - no more than 25 people. We are praying for the Lord to show you if He has ordained this moed (appointed time) for you. We are very excited about this trip because we know that God is in it! His love for Israel and her people is passionate!

:Love,

Neil and Jamie