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The Hanukkah Story Have you ever just felt empty?  Some seasons are characterized by laughter and abounding joy. Things at work seem to click, your family enjoys being around each other and you walk through your days with confidence.  We love those days, don't we? It's what every Hollywood happy ending is made of.  But what about the other days, the ones we hide in our heart's closet and pretend they aren’t there?   You see your kids' needs, but you are unable to meet them. Rather than producing anything at work, you feel as though you’re just bashing stones against each other. And in a time of year that ought to be characterized by thankfulness and anticipation, you can't fight the overwhelming desire to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head.  It's in this place that the Hanukkah celebration stops becoming just a Hebrew festival involving latkes, dreidel and doughnuts and instead becomes something deeply meaningful and relevant to our lives today, especially on those days when we don't want to go on.  The Hanukkah Story The story of Hanukkah, or the festival of lights, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates a great Jewish military victory in 400 B.C. It centers around the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil. Unlike Christmas stories which are filled with hope, generosity and those warm-fuzzy feelings, the story of Hanukkah (sometimes called Chanukah) is a story of warfare and overcoming great odds.  The story began in the 400 years between the writing of the Old and New Testaments. Even though we don't have any formal writings, God was not silent in those years.  Wars were being waged. Battles, won. And Greek ruler Alexander the Great had just died of typhoid fever in his tent at the young age of 32. When asked who should replace him, Alexander replied, "The greatest." Thus, his kingdom was split between his four best generals—Cassander, Ptolemy, Seleucus and Antigonus.  Our story picks up in the Seleucid empire. After a string of assassinations, Antiochus IV Epiphanes claimed the throne and took control of the Syrian empire. With great zeal and a hunger for power, Antiochus gathered his troops and invaded Egypt, only to face a humiliating defeat. So, during his shameful journey back home, he settled with the next best thing and invaded Israel.   Antiochus worshiped Greek gods and demanded everyone in his kingdom do the same. The holy temple in Jerusalem where Jewish people would go to worship Yahweh became a place to sacrifice pigs to Zeus Olympios. Anyone caught worshipping Yahweh was punished and even put to death. This became a defining moment for the Jews in the city of Jerusalem.  They could either meet the opposition with feelings of defeat, or they could rally and fight to take back what was once theirs.  A priest named Mattathias took the latter approach.  The Hanukkah Story and Revolt Mattathias felt so strongly that the Jewish people ought to stay faithful to God that when he saw a Jewish priest coming to worship a false god, Mattathias killed both [...]

How to Have a Happy Hanukkah 2022 Stores have cleared the back-to-school supplies to make way for Christmas decorations. The weather is changing, and soon we'll hear Bing Crosby singing about a White Christmas on every radio station. But what about Hanukkah in 2022? But for Jewish people everywhere, there's more to this holiday season than just feel-good movies and baking. In fact, there's plenty of houses that won't be staged with a Christmas tree this year. As a Messianic congregation with a heart for the Bible and Biblical holidays, we can relate. Although the Hanukkah celebration isn’t commanded in the Torah, or the Old Testament, the story of Hanukkah calls us to rededication in new and meaningful ways each year.  So what's so special about Hanukkah? And where do dreidels, latkes and menorahs fit? We'll cover all you need to know about this holiday, so you can celebrate Hanukkah in 2022.  Other Names for Hanukkah You may see this Jewish holiday written as Hanukkah, Hanukkah, Hanukah or even Chanukah. They're all referring to the same thing.  Some other popular names include the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication.     What is Hanukkah? The Jewish festival of Hanukkah celebrates a major military victory in the 2nd century BCE that changed an entire nation. The Syrian King Antiochus waged war on Israel. He mandated that the Jewish people were to worship Greek gods. Antiochus even desecrated the holy temple in Jerusalem, turning it into a shrine to Zeus.  While all the Jewish people agreed that worshipping Greek gods was against their beliefs, several of them assimilated into the new culture. Still, other Jews decided to take a stand.   Of those who refused to bow to false gods was the priest Mattathias. He felt so strongly that when he saw a Jew getting ready to offer sacrifices to the Greek gods, he killed the man and the King's officer who stood nearby.  This outburst led to the great Jewish uprising against King Antiochus Epiphanes.  Mattathias and his family fled to the hills, where others joined him. This small group of farmers-turned-soldiers became known as the Maccabees.  Judah Maccabee took over after Mattathias died, and the ragtag army went on to conquer the Syrian army and reclaim the temple in December 164 BCE, three long years after Antiochus had taken over.  Miracle of the Oil A menorah is a multi-branched candelabra that signifies holiness and the rhythms of God. The first and second temples had seven branch menorahs, resembling the six days of the week and the Sabbath, or Shabbat. It was customary to keep the candles burning at all times in the temple.   After the temple was recaptured, priests were put to work cleaning, restoring and lighting the menorah.  Unfortunately, there was only enough oil for one day, and it would take eight days to prepare more oil.  Even still, the priests lit the menorah, reconsecrating the temple for God.  Tradition would tell us the candles stayed lit for eight days until new oil could be prepared. The lighting of the menorah today represents God's faithfulness to provide for His [...]

How to Prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles 2022 Just when you thought the Jewish holidays were over, the Feast of Tabernacles in 2022 comes rearing its festive head. Of all the biblical holy days, Tabernacles (also referred to as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot) is the last of the fall holidays. And, if we're being honest, it's the most fun.  So what is the Feast of Tabernacles? Is the holiday only available to Jews? And how can you make Sukkot 2021 the best year yet?  We'll cover all that. But first, here's a little background.   The Holiday Buildup If the Jewish calendar seems overwhelming, hopefully this section helps.  Most of these holidays are laid out in the Torah, specifically in Leviticus 23. They are a designated time set aside by God to meet with the people of Israel.  And because Jesus our Messiah grafted us into His family, the invitation is extended to us too! As a Messianic congregation, we also believe that Jesus has already come and died so that we can be reunited with God. These holidays not only point to Jesus's life here on earth in his first coming, but they also speak to His next and final coming.  There are a few other holidays we're not going to cover in this post, like Purim and Hanukkah. If you are interested in a full view of how we celebrate our holidays, you can read up on them here. Passover: Passover is a festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from the land of Egypt. We celebrate it with a Seder Dinner and liturgy, traditionally called a Haggadah.  Unleavened Bread: During this weeklong festival, we refrain from eating leaven. We remember the journey the Israelites made in the wilderness. First Fruits: The Feast of Fruit Fruits celebrates the provision of our faithful God. As Christians, we also celebrate it as the day Christ rose from the grave. Pentecost: Pentecost (also called the Feast of Shavuot)celebrates God’s power displayed to the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai. As Christians, we also celebrate God’s spirit descending upon the disciples in the book of Acts. Feast of Trumpets: Also called Rosh Hashanah or Yom Teruah in Hebrew, Feast of Trumpets is literally the "Day for Blowing Trumpets." Spiritually and symbolically, it calls us to repentance as Jewish communities enter a new year.  Day of Atonement: Also called Yom Kippur and the Day of Judgement, this is the most holy and solemn day in Judaism, the Sabbath of Sabbaths. It's a day of fasting and prayer as we prepare for the day we stand before the judgment seat.    That brings us to the Feast of Tabernacles in 2022!  The Feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot, is an eight day celebration commemorating the wandering of Israel in the wilderness. The holiday anticipates being with Jesus in constant celebration in eternity forever.  What Does the Bible Say About Sukkot?  It's Bible study time! Just like Passover and the other common Biblical holidays, Sukkot is mandated in the Torah, Leviticus 23 to be exact. This particular feast is also referenced in Zechariah 14.  "And the [...]

The Feast of Trumpets and Tashlich: An Invitation To Cast Off Your Burdens We've all either walked up a mountain, taken a hike, or are at least familiar with the process. Whether or not you get to the top, hiking can be intense. There are moments when only sheer determination will bring your burning, shaky legs another step forward. And it seems like just when you are about to call it quits, a friend comes alongside you to offer you some encouragement, or you notice a plateau a little way up and find the energy you need to carry on. (And of course the added expectation of the start of a pretty great view).  Now, imagine along the way, you began picking up rocks. Some big and some small. They may be manageable at first; in your vigor, you may not even notice them. But eventually, those rocks will begin to get heavy. Really heavy. That's what sin is like.  Life is full of seasons. If you don't know that yet, give it some time, and you will become very familiar with it. Because of our human nature, we inevitably pick up sin along the way. Some of it is inherent to our personality and background, while some are bad habits learned along the way or a response to how we perceive reality. Often, it's a mixture of all of the above.  You may not notice the weight of these sins on a daily basis. But when it comes time to release them, you will undoubtedly discover two things: 1. How heavy they were 2. How much better you feel now that they are off of you.  That's what the Jewish celebrations of Rosh Hashanah and the Tashlich ceremony are all about.   Rosh Hashanah and Tashlich Tashlich is a Hebrew word that translates to "casting off" and is associated with the high holiday Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets. Although there is no direct command to have a Tashlich ceremony in the Torah, many Jews celebrate the Biblical new year by gathering around a body of water to cast off their sins from the past year.  The practice was inspired by the prophet Micah who says, "He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19) Tashlich Traditions  It's customary for Jewish people to gather on the first day of Rosh Hashanah with stones or bread crumbs to represent their sin from the past year. But this isn't some sort of holy New Year's resolution. Instead, a Tashlich service helps prepare for the highest Holy Day- Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement.  Typically, participants enjoy liturgy (guided prayers) and a traditional tashlich prayer.  Rabbis prefer that Tashich services be at a natural body of water that contains fish (for man can't escape judgment any more than a fish could escape a net), although any flowing body of water will do—even running water from a hose!    Is Rosh Hashanah Just for the Jewish People?  No! Although practiced commonly in Judaism, all are invited [...]

The Feast of Trumpets 2022 The Feast of Trumpets in 2022 Summer is winding down, and we'll soon see stores flood with kids begrudgingly walking through the school supplies aisle. But there's more to fall than just back-to-school shopping and pumpkin patches.  In fact, there's much, much more.  As the sun sets on September 25th, families all over the globe will begin to settle into the first of the fall Biblical holidays: Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets.  Despite common beliefs, the holidays in the Bible are not simply Jewish holidays. Rather, everyone is invited to participate in these holy celebrations.  Before we dive into the specifics about the Feast of Trumpets 2022, let's review the cycle of the holy days.  What Holidays are on the Jewish Calendar?  Much like the seasons themselves, the Biblical holidays operate in a cyclical manner. In Leviticus 23, God tells Moses about the holidays and how to celebrate each one. He lays out everything from the weekly sabbath (Shabbat) to the feast days and the holiest of days, Yom Kippur.  Spring Holidays  There are three holidays in the Spring—Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits.  Passover (Feast of Pesach) In the days of Moses, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. Through a series of 10 plagues, each of the major Egyptian gods was challenged. The 10th plague brought death to all the firstborn children in the land—all except those who put a lamb's blood over their doorpost. As the spirit of death moved through the land, it passed over those with the blood on the door.  Feast of Unleavened Bread Passover kicks off the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day holiday that celebrates freedom. As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, they didn't have time to let their bread rise. We celebrate Unleavened Bread by ridding our homes of leavening to both 1. Remember the Israelites' wanderings through the desert once they were sent away from Egypt, and 2. Celebrate the invitation to leave behind sin and enter into a season of new holiness. First Fruits  After the Feast of Unleavened Bread comes First Fruits. This is a day for agricultural offerings of the first fruits of the season. It also kicks off counting the omer, or counting down the 50 days before Pentecost.  Summer Holidays There is only one holiday in the summer—Pentecost.  Pentecost (Shavuot or The Feast of Weeks) During the days of Moses, Pentecost was when the Israelites received the 10 Commandments at Mount Sinai. After Jesus' death, Pentecost marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on man.  Fall Holidays That brings us to the Fall Holidays. There are three holidays during this time of year—Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Tabernacles. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) The Feast of Trumpets marks a new year in the Hebrew calendar. In Israel, Jewish people throw stones into a body of water to symbolize the casting off of sins. Our congregation recognizes this tradition and casts off something we've been carrying so we can pick up better things in the new year.   Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) The holiest of the high [...]

MESSIAH IN TORAH TORAH PORTIONS - JAN 16, 2020 {{ vc_btn: title=READ+THE+TORAH+PORTION&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253Dexodus%252B6%25253A2-9%25253A35%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=READ+MARK+1-2&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253Dmark%252B1-2%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=READ+I+CHRONICLES+15-29&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253D1%252Bchronicles%252B15-29%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }} PORTION SUMMARY And I Appeared - Exodus 6:2-9:35 Exodus 6:2-30 Israel’s elders have rejected Moses. Pharaoh doesn’t listen to him. In His confusion and rejection, Moses complains to Yahweh. And, Yahweh responds. He affirms His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and then once again declares He will redeem Israel from Egypt. However, this time He does so with a four-fold promise: I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will deliver you from slavery. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God. Yahweh’s word of promise ends with reiteration He will bring them into the Promised Land, directly connecting Israel’s deliverance to the patriarchal promise. Once again, God instructs Moses to stand before Pharaoh to intercede for Israel. Moses is still reluctant. God admonishes him to obey. Then, the genealogy from Jacob’s sons to Aaron and Moses is listed. The text emphasizes the point that those who appeared before Pharaoh were direct descendants of Jacob’s family, anointed representatives of God’s promise.   Exodus 7:1-13 Moses goes before Pharaoh again and asks for Israel’s freedom. Pharaoh asks for a sign. Moses’ staff turns into a serpent. Egypt’s magicians perform the same feat. But, Moses’ serpent swallows up all the other serpents. Pharaoh is not impressed and doesn’t change his mind. So, the plagues begin. Exodus 7:14-9:35 First, the Nile River turns into blood. Everything in it dies and there’s a water shortage. The magicians repeat this miracle. Next, God multiplies frogs all over Egypt. And, once again, the magicians do the same. Third, Moses strikes the dust of the ground and it becomes lice on humans and animals. The magicians can’t replicate the miracle and attribute it to God. Fourth, God sends flies all over Egypt. However this plague only affects the Egyptians. Israel is protected from it and from all the plagues following. Fifth, a pestilence overwhelms all the domesticated animals of the Egyptians but it doesn’t affect Israel’s animals. Sixth, the Egyptians and their animals are plagued with boils. Seventh, hail and fire rain from heaven and strike the land. But, before this plague, God warns Pharaoh. He says He could destroy all Egypt but He stayed His hand. His purpose? So Pharaoh would know God sovereignly gave him his position and power. Pharaoh does not let Israel go. DEVOTIONAL: THE MESSIAH IN TORAH This devotional is not a comprehensive discussion of the Torah portion. Its purpose is to identify themes that point to and reveal Jesus the Messiah. Here, Moses enters human history. He is THE prophet in Israel, the lawgiver, and deliverer. In his life and ministry, we see the Messiah in a variety of ways. In this portion, Pharaoh is introduced to Yahweh in the plague phenomena. Initially, he’s unaffected, even hardened to God and His power. Egypt’s magicians turned water to blood, just like Moses. They conjured frogs from the Nile, just [...]

MESSIAH IN TORAH TORAH PORTIONS - JAN 9, 2020 {{ vc_btn: title=READ+THE+TORAH+PORTION&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253Dexodus%252B1%25253A1-6%25253A1%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=READ+MATTHEW+26-28&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253DMatthew%252B26-28%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=READ+I+CHRONICLES+1-14&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253D1%252Bchronicles%252B1-14%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }} PORTION SUMMARY Names - Exodus 1:1-6:1 Exodus 1:1-22 After Joseph’s generation passes, Israel remains in Egypt, multiplies greatly, and grows to great strength. A new Pharaoh rises to power that does not remember or regard Joseph. He grows fearful of Israel. To contain the potential threat they represent, he enslaves them and makes them build the stores cities of Pithom and Raamses. Dissatisfied with the impact of slavery, he commands Shifrah and Puah, two Hebrew midwives, to murder every male child at birth. They refuse to do so. When he confronts them, they argue that the Hebrew women are stronger and give birth faster than the Egyptian women. Angered, he orders his own servants to throw every male baby into the Nile River. Exodus 2:1-10 In the midst of this persecution, Moses is born to Amram and Jochebed. They hide him for three months. Unable to continue hiding their child, they make a basket, place it in the Nile River, and hope their child will escape. Miriam, Moses’ older sister, watches and follows. The basket miraculously arrives in the bathing spot of Pharaoh’s daughter. She takes him as her own, names him Moses, and brings him into the royal family. Exodus 2:11-25 Moses grows under the tutelage of Egyptian education and royal life. He is drawn to visit his people, the Israelites. He sees their burdens. While there, he intervenes when an Egyptian taskmaster beats a Hebrew slave. He kills the Egyptian and buries him in the sand. Drawn once again, he visits his people the next day. This time, two Israelites fight and he intervenes. They repel his intervention, exposing his murder from the previous day. In response to the killing, Pharaoh seeks Moses’ life. Moses runs away to Midian. In Midian, Moses encounters some female shepherdesses mistreated while attempting to water their flocks. Moses intervenes, protects them, and then helps water their flocks. The shepherdesses turn out to be Jethro’s daughters, the priest of Midian. Moses is invited to stay with Jethro’s family. He marries Zipporah (Jethro’s daughter), becomes a shepherd, and begins having children. Exodus 3:1-4:17 After many years as a shepherd, Moses encounters Yahweh. From afar, he sees a bush on fire but its not burned up. He approaches to see the strange phenomena. Yahweh speaks to him and reveals His memorial name: I am that I am. Moses is commissioned to return to Egypt and confront Pharaoh with Yahweh’s words: “Let my people go.” Reluctant, Moses makes multiple excuses. Yahweh concedes and sends Aaron, Moses’ older brother, to act as the prophetic mouthpiece. Exodus 4:18-5:22 Upon return to Egypt, Moses appears to the elders of Israel and does miracles to prove he’s sent by Yahweh to be their deliverer. Initially, they believe him. Moses then appears before Pharaoh. He does not respond favorably to Moses’ request but increases Israel’s labor. Israel’s elders turn on Moses after the labor increase and accuse him. Moses complains to God. In this moment of desperation, God renews His promise to free [...]

The Story - Jesus as the Word Each night, we are reminded that Jesus is the Word of God as we read from the Word of God as we light our candles. Once again, come with me, and again imagine standing in Jerusalem, near the Temple in Solomon’s Portico with Jesus. This beautiful portico runs along the Eastern side of Herod’s temple, and it is beautiful decorated. This place will later be the location where Peter preaches his sermon and thousands will dedicate their lives to Jesus the Messiah.   But for now, far away from the busy pandemonium of the city streets, this place is quiet and snow falls lightly. Just a handful of people enter the gate into the Temple, hardly making a noise in the silence of the snow. Wind blows and the clouds hang low over the sky. Jesus is pacing quietly by himself, thinking and praying to himself in this quiet oasis in the middle of the Great City. Today is Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication.   All of a sudden, a huge group of religious leaders ambush Jesus and crowd around him, preventing his escape.  “Why do you keep us in suspense?” they cry. “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!”   Jesus takes a deep breath. “I told you, and you did not believe.”   “I told you, I am the Son of God, I told you, I am the fulfillment of the scriptures. I told you, I came from Heaven. I told you, I am your Savior from sin.”   Jesus had already told them, but they did not believe. “I and the Father are One.” Jesus boldly claimed. “Do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?   As Jesus spoke, every Jewish man cried out in horror and immediately tried to drag him away to stone him because he had claimed to be deity! But they could not touch him.   THE THEME: JESUS AS THE WORD   “In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus was the creator of our world, and the creator of all that is good. Jesus made the claim to be deity, because he was God! Though Antiochus had falsely claimed godhood, Jesus proved he was the one and only true God.   The significance of Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in the Temple cannot be passed by, because it is so key to understanding the holiday of Hanukkah. Jesus said he was the one whom the Father had consecrated and sent into the world. Jesus had been sanctified and dedicated by his Father in heaven to come to earth!   Jesus was not only claiming to be deity, but a deity that had been sent into the world to save it. Jesus was claiming the feast of Hanukkah pointed directly to HIM! Jesus was the ultimate dedicated and consecrated priest who would intercede on behalf of his people for miracles, even when his own people would not stay dedicated [...]

The Story - The Menorah Each night of Hanukkah, we light a Menorah, or a Hanukkiah. A Menorah with candles is lit each night to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. As we light these candles and pray over them, we are reminded of God's goodness to us.   Imagine standing in Jerusalem again, this time in the period of the Roman occupation, hundreds of years after the Maccabean revolt. Jesus is standing before a blind man. This man has been blind since his birth, and everyone in Jewish culture knows, if you are ailing from some terrible illness, you or your parents must have sinned! Most physical ailments were attributed to spiritual causes in the day of Jesus, and Jesus was well aware of this.   “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” his disciples asked curiously.   Jesus turned to his disciples: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”   Jesus bent down, spit in the dirt and made a paste with the mud. He put the mud on the man’s eyes and sent him away to wash it off. The man walked away completely healed.   Imagine the glimmer of first sight as the blind man opens his eyes, and a whole new world reveals itself! The small world of darkness he had lived in now gone, and a whole new world within his reach. He sees color for the first time, he sees movement for the first time, he sees people’s faces for the first time! Imagine this man seeing his parents for the first time and sharing about the incredible Rabbi Yeshua who has saved him! Imagine the wonder he feels as he cries uncontrollably at this incredible gift Jesus has given to him.   His entire world has been opened up because this man Jesus took the time to display the works of God in his life. His small life was important to the Savior of the Universe. Jesus had displayed his light to this man, and so today, Jesus displays his life to US! Even as we light the candles of the Menorah, we are reminded to look to Jesus as the light of the world.   THE THEME: JESUS AS LIGHT Jesus is the Light of the World! Several times in Jesus’ ministry, he claimed to be the Light of the World, and to truly understand our part in this, we must understand the significance of this claim.   Jesus was the creator of the Universe, the very one who created our world, us, and the LIGHT! Light is the beginning of all things: plants grow from light. We are warmed by light. The Sun, moon and stars shed light on us during the day and at night, for navigation, for sight… light permeates every crack and crevice of darkness everywhere it goes. It cannot be contained.   For Jesus to claim that he was the light of the [...]

The Story - Hanukkah Prayer Each night of Hanukkah we say a Hanukkah prayer as we light candles. Our prayer at Hanukkah reminds us of our dedication to God. Imagine standing in Jerusalem, at the beginning of a newly independent nation after Antiochus has been expelled. Once again, you walk the busy streets through the marketplace, hearing the lowing of bulls in your ears, and the sound of sheep baaing. You smell smoke as the priests once again pray and burn sacrifices in the Temple. The capital is bustling and growing. This city center is again the heart of the religious world for the Jewish people, and it is your home. You love this city, and the people in it.   Because the Jewish people had fought for so long, they had missed many celebrations and holidays, so they commemorated the season of Sukkot late in the year. They spent eight days celebrating Tabernacles in the month of December, commemorating God’s goodness and rededicating the Temple, just as King Solomon had done when he dedicated the Temple hundreds of years before.   The conviction and bravery of the Jewish people once again proved their dedication to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God in return had upheld his covenant to protect and provide for them. As the city returned to normal life, and again practiced their tradition and holy rites, they were reminded of the reason for their dedication and tradition. God’s miracles, and their faith reinforced their values of freedom, faith, integrity, and selflessness. So, as we light the Menorah each night, we too pray a Hanukkah Prayer, so we can remind ourselves that we are to be dedicated to God always. THE THEME: DEDICATION We are called to be dedicated to God! During the time of Jesus, Hanukkah became known as the celebration commemorating our deliverance and rededication to God (John 10:22).   As the Temple was dedicated, so the people dedicated themselves to God and His ways. The lives of Mattathias and Judah Maccabee are testimonies of men who realized obeying God was more important than obeying man. The fight against the kingdom of darkness and the surrounding culture is not just to be free, but also to embrace God and the holiness He has called us to. Today we’re called to dedication to God’s ways, regardless of the sacrifice. Many of those who stood against assimilation were killed. Some gave up their livelihood, position and popularity. Our dedication to God’s ways may cost us the same things, but God will stand with us for His glory. God is willing to give His supernatural power to us if we will seek to be dedicated to Him by His Spirit.   Hanukkah is considered the time to rededicate our lives to His ways no matter the cost. When the Messiah came, this spiritual lesson became a living reality. Through the life and ministry of Jesus, the people of His generation saw the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah. Now we dedicate our entire lives to walking in His ways no matter what the cost might be. How is [...]

The Story - Miracles, Donuts and Latkes Each year, we fry donuts and latkes in oil. While this is mainly a tradition based on a legend, the reminder of miracles is quite relevant. After the Maccabean revolt, the battle had been won! Antiochus had underestimated the strength of the Maccabean movement! The Jewish people would maintain their independent country for over a century after this incredible revolt, and Judah Maccabee went down as the greatest military commander in Israel’s history!   The miraculous victory was all the more impressive because Antiochus had been a world power. His thousands of soldiers, horsemen and armored elephants had fallen to the Jewish soldiers! Antiochus never again attempted to take the nation of Israel back, and the humiliated King later died attempting to conquer the Arabian coast. The man who had boasted of being god incarnate on the earth had been bested by a ragtag group of soldiers under the authority of the one true God, Yahweh!   The Jews took back the Temple from the Syrian Empire in an enormous victory, and tore down every Greek statue, altar and gymnasium! They cleaned up the Temple in Jerusalem and began to piece together their Temple.   As legend would have it, as they picked through the remains of the Temple, they found one jar with sacred oil for their candelabra. The menorah was supposed to stay lit constantly according to Levitical law, and to their dismay, they only had enough oil to last for one day! It would take eight more days to make new oil! How could they ever finish it in time?   Not to be deterred, they decided to light the oil they had and make new oil for the lamp. Legend would have it that the oil in the lamp burned for eight days straight as they prepared new oil for the Menorah! Though this is subject to legend, it brings more power to the incredible miracles Yahweh performed on behalf of the Jewish people! Today, as we eat donuts and fry potato pancake latkes, we remember the miracles God did for the Maccabees. THE THEME: MIRACLES God did wonders on behalf of his people Israel during Hanukkah. Through Hanukkah, we can again believe in miracles! The point of a miracle is that it doesn’t make sense. Moses parting the Red Sea, miraculous battles won on behalf of Israel, babies being raised from the dead: Sometimes, God chooses to act in a way that we can’t fully comprehend as humans. We describe these moments as unexplainable, because we cannot attribute them to science or natural law.   Our God is one of incredible miracles! Miracles was one of the ways Jesus proved his deity. Miracles show us that our God is exalted above all else, and not one person can resist his authority over all earth and heaven, the natural and the spiritual realm!   Today, we have the power to perform miracles, because Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to us! When we believe in the power of God who is our salvation and strength, we too can perform miracles [...]

The Story - Dreidels Mattathias fled to the wilderness of Northern Judea with his family, now wanted criminals. But what began as a flight for their lives soon turned into the journey of many Jews searching for a safe haven! Similar to the later legends of Robin Hood, a ragtag group of Jewish countrymen and soldiers formed a band of religious zealots anxious to take back their country and traditions! The Jewish people were not to be outdone by the political forces in Jerusalem. In rebellion, hundreds of Jews fled to the wilderness to join Mattathias.   Today, we play the game dreidel, the spinning top game that used to be played by the Jewish people. Each of the four sides of dreidels have Hebrew letters on them: nun, gimel, heh, shin. The letters say "A Great Miracle Happened There." Legend has it that dreidels were played by the men who were studying Torah as a way to divert the attention of the soldiers. The very gambling game of dreidels represents the zealous rebellion of the Jewish people to compromise to the culture.   Though the Hellenization of Antiochus spread across the nation of Israel, so the rebellious Jewish army in the wilderness grew! The Jews started small skirmishes to annoy the Syrian soldiers, then disappeared into the wilderness undetected. Their brave leader Mattathias died in the wilderness, but his eldest son Judah took charge of the Jewish forces.   Judah was an incredible warrior, comparable to the famous rebellion leaders like Spartacus of Greece and William Wallace in Scotland! Judah was a genius war strategist, and he began the first recorded guerilla warfare in history! He was known to fight so hard and win so often, he was called Judah Maccabee, or Judah the Hammer!   Skirmishes increased until Judah’s army of 600 defeated a group of 2,000 Syrian soldiers in a small battle. Antiochus grew increasingly irritated with the Jewish revolt, so he sent 4,000 Syrian soldiers to a small town called Beth Heron, fifteen miles outside of Jerusalem expecting to wipe out Judah’s army easily. But with less than 1,000 soldiers, Judah outmaneuvered the cumbersome Syrian army and picked them off one by one! The lightning-fast Jewish army defeated the soldiers easily!   Though Antiochus had dismissed the revolt as a minor irritation, he grew embarrassed at how easily Judah had won the battle, and he challenged the untrained wilderness soldiers to a full-fledged war! Antiochus sent his three best generals, 6,000 soldiers and a huge cavalry against Judah’s ragtag army. But Judah sent spies into the camp, discerned their strategy, and in a miraculous victory, Judah again won the battle!   Battle after battle raged! The war increased, until Antiochus was regularly sending 55,000 soldiers with armored elephants and cavalry to the battlefront, yet each time the Maccabees miraculously won!   Though these Maccabean soldiers knew they were up against great odds, they knew they had Yahweh on their side. Judah and his army fought with victory in mind. Though the battle was difficult for untrained Jewish farmers against the well-equipped Syrian soldiers, each battle was [...]

The Story: Judah Maccabee Imagine: your world has fallen apart, and it would seem that Antiochus has won. Jewish culture has succumbed to political and religious assimilation, and Jerusalem is looking increasingly more Greek every day. But suddenly, something changes. Judah Maccabee and Mattathias appear.   Not all of the Jewish people would succumb so easily. Though many Jews submitted, others understood that assimilation and elimination of Jewish worship, sacrifices, and traditions would be the destruction of Judaism itself! Though the flame of conviction was small, it was steadfast. These brave Jews would not back down.   Antiochus' heavily armed soldiers were sent out of Jerusalem to force the Jewish people across the nation of Israel to worship the king and make sacrifices of pigs to the Greek gods. A large army of soldiers came to Modin, a small town on the outskirts of Jerusalem. They went straight to the home of an influential Jewish family led by a priest named Mattathias and his five sons.   The generals and a Hellenistic Jew tried to sweet-talk and coerce Mattathias and his family into offer sacrifices, knowing his influence would bring many Jews to the Hellenistic side, but Mattathias would not hear of it. The generals grew more and more angry, and they marched him to a Greek altar erected in the town. Forcing him to the altar in the sight of all of the Jewish people in the town, they ordered him to give in, on pain of death.   But Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee would not forsake his faith. In a miraculous burst of energy quite unexpected for a man of his age, he grabbed the sword from the general’s hand and ran the general and his men completely through! He tore down the Greek altar with a strength comparable to the righteous anger of the prophet Samuel when he lopped off the head of the captured King Agag in the Old Testament!   Mattathias and his sons drove off the soldiers with a loud battle cry led by Judah Maccabee —” Whoever is for the Lord, follow us!” And just like that, in a matter of moments, the rebellion of the Jewish people had begun!   THE THEME: COURAGE When you think of courage, what do you think of? Do you think of a person? Of a storybook character? A time when you were faced with your own fear and you conquered because you chose to be courageous?   No matter how we associate it, courage is the ability to do something that frightens you! Now, just because we feel courage doesn’t mean there is no fear present. On the contrary, for courage to be present, there must be fear that instills the courage! Courage means we feel the fear and we choose to act on our convictions anyways. Courage comes from our worldview and what we truly believe in our heart. It means we choose to be brave over and over and over again! It means we persevere through the power of the Holy Spirit, even when we are faced with our greatest adversity!   [...]

The Story - Antiochus Epiphanes Imagine: Jerusalem is captured by a foreign nation, and suddenly, everything in your life changes. King Antiochus, the ruler of the Syrian Empire has taken your home! Quiet, dedicated religious life in Israel turns to chaos as the new conqueror flips Jewish life upside down.   Antiochus is an evil ruler and a very narcissistic one at that. He is so full of himself, he declares he is a god on the earth. He calls himself Antiochus Epiphanes: god incarnate! Antiochus has conquered much of the Mediterranean coastline from Egypt to Greece. He is fascinated with Greek culture and wants his entire kingdom to assimilate into the Hellenistic culture. This political push made its way through the city and into the unsuspecting Jewish countryside. Antiochus threatens death to any Jew who would not comply to his assimilation culture.   Over time the setting of Jerusalem changes. Greek gymnasiums and temples begin to dot the landscape of Israel, Greek learning is instituted to replace Jewish teachings, and Jewish culture is oppressed. Through trickery, deceit, social and political pressures, Antiochus has seduced important leaders in the Jewish community to join him, including the High Priest of Israel, Jason! Jews are forced to bend to his religious compromise. All Jewish religious rites and traditions are to be forfeited on pain of death. He strategically focuses on rooting out any practices consistent with God’s Word, such as Temple worship, and the Sabbath. The oppression grows so great, mothers and children are killed if the parents attempt to circumcise or bar mitzvah their children in the Jewish tradition.   Antiochus desecrates the temple in Jerusalem and erects an altar to Zeus where he slaughters pigs by the hundreds in direct assault and defiance of the Jewish cleanliness rituals. He erects statues all over Jerusalem and a statue of himself in the temple and orders the people of Israel to bow before the statues.  Many Jews compromise and bow down to the Greek Statues of Athena, Zeus and Antiochus out of fear for their very lives and the lives of their children. THE THEME: CONVICTION Conviction is a strongly held belief or opinion. Time and time again in history, God’s people have had to choose whether or not they would stand convicted. Over thousands of years, the Jewish people were sold as slaves, Israel was conquered, and people were murdered for their faith. After Jesus resurrection’, many early Christians were martyred. During the 16th century, many across Europe were killed for reading William Tyndale’s Bible in English. During the Holocaust, millions of Jews were killed by Adolph Hitler. Even today, many are still persecuted for their belief in Jesus. In each and every generation, there were people who stood strong, knew what they believed, and fought back!   In the events of Hanukkah, the Jewish people were one such example of conviction! Antiochus' horrible actions would foreshadow Hitler's future annihilation of the Jewish people in the 1940's. Many others over the centuries would come against God’s people.   Today, the world tells us our God is not enough. We face new [...]

The Hanukkah Story Today begins the first day of Hanukkah in 2021, when we begin to light candles and tell the story of Hanukkah and the Maccabees. Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication is a captivating story of bravery, courage, miracles and victory! But what is the Hanukkah Story? Why is Hanukkah explained from this story in history? Hanukkah was a defining moment in the life and history of God’s people. A small band of Jewish rebels changed the course of an entire nation! These brass soldiers decided Yahweh was more important than anything else.   The story of Hanukkah began in the 400 years between the writing of the Old and New Testaments. God was not silent in those years. He was still at work fulfilling His promises and preserving His people, as the story will show.   Now, as we step into the story, imagine yourself as a Jew living in Jerusalem in the 2nd century B.C.. You walk the busy streets through the marketplace, cows lowing in your ears, and sheep baaing. You smell smoke as the priests burn sacrifices in the Temple to Yahweh. The bustling city is the heart of the religious world for the Jewish people, and it is your home. You love this city, and the people in it.   But over time, this beautiful city becomes transformed as the Hellenistic Greek culture seeps in. The changes are slow at first and you hardly notice them. But as time passes by, you see an Acropolis pop up next to the Jewish temple. You see pigs in the streets instead of sheep and cows. Greek culture, statues, clothes and sports begin to dominate the Jewish city. Soldiers enter the Holy City of Jerusalem, and the entire capital is thrown into chaos! You hear people screaming, animals in a panic, and the yell of soldiers rushing through the streets trashing the marketplace! Your entire life has changed as fires burn high in the sky: your beloved city transformed into ruin right before your eyes. But how did we get here? How did this happen? The story begins just a few decades earlier in Babylon, as Alexander the Great, the ruler of the known world dies of typhoid fever in his tent at the young age of 32. This death set off a series of actions that would affect the nation of Israel, just a few hundred miles away. When Alexander died, his kingdom was divided into four sections and given to his four best generals. One of these generals was the founder of the Syrian Empire, and he passed on his empire to his grandson, Antiochus IV.   Like many rulers before him, Antiochus vowed to conquer nations! He began this through the assimilation of Hellenistic culture through the powerful leaders like the High Priest Jason, and when the nation of Israel rebelled against the assimilation, they were forced into it instead. And so it was Antiochus who entered Jerusalem on that fateful day, capturing the nation of Israel. THE THEME: STORY Story: Yahweh reveals his kingdom through stories! Stories change lives; stories challenge; stories [...]

MESSIAH IN TORAH TORAH PORTIONS - OCT 17, 2020 {{ vc_btn: title=READ+THE+TORAH+PORTION&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253Dgenesis%252B1%25253A1-6%25253A8%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=READ+MATTHEW+1-2&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253DMatthew%252B1-2%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=READ+JOSHUA+1-12&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.biblegateway.com%252Fpassage%252F%253Fsearch%253DJoshua%252B1-12%2526version%253DESV%7C%7C%7C }} PORTION SUMMARY In the Beginning - Genesis 1:1-6:8 Genesis 1:1-2:3 Yahweh creates the world in six days. Each day’s creative fruit is unique but Yahweh declares every aspect of His creation “good”. Day one: darkness and light. Day two is the formation of the heavens, separating the waters so there’s an upper and lower water. Day three lands, seas, and vegetation are created. On day four, the sun, moon, and stars are set into place.   On day five comes fish, birds, and reptiles. Day six brings the creation of animals and humans, the only element of creation made in God’s image and given dominion. On the seventh and final day of creation’s week, Sabbath is made, sanctified from all other days, and Yahweh rests. Genesis 2:4-25 Yahweh then revisits humanity’s creation and commission. Man is formed from the combination of the dust of the earth and Yahweh’s living breath. He is instructed to eat from all trees and commanded not to eat from the Tree of Good and Evil. If they do, they will die. Seeing man’s need for companionship, Yahweh takes a rib from Adam and forms Eve. They are married and become one flesh. Genesis 3:1-24 The serpent then deceives Eve. She eats from the forbidden tree, thinking she can become like God by doing so. Adam follows her into sin and rebellion by eating himself. Adam and Eve cover themselves with leaves and hide from Yahweh’s presence when He comes looking for them. Death sets in. A curse is pronounced on Adam, Eve, and the serpent in ways unique to them. In the first recorded act of sacrifice and atonement, Yahweh kills an animal and cloths Adam and Eve in it. Then, Yahweh banishes them from His presence in the Garden. Genesis 4:1-24 Two sons follow: Cain and Abel. Cain rebels against God and, in reaction to God’s judgment, kills Abel. He is cast out and becomes a wanderer on earth. Sin continues to spread on the earth, represented by Lamech’s murder of a young man. Interestingly, Lamech is Cain’s distant descendant. Genesis 4:25-6:8 Seth is born, the third child of Adam and Eve. Adam’s generations begin to fill the earth. Corruption infects not just individuals and families but society as a whole. From Seth’s lineage comes righteous Noah. DEVOTIONAL: THE MESSIAH IN TORAH This devotional is not a comprehensive discussion of the Torah portion. Its purpose is to identify themes that point to and reveal Jesus the Messiah. This section takes us from the beauty of perfection to the depths of death and loss. We forfeited what we were created to be, lost what we were created to do, and became a stranger to the One we were designed to know intimately. The narrative moves from the grandeur of creation to the devastation wrought by rebellion and selfishness. Yet, in the loss there is the promise of the Messiah, seen in the following ways. The Word of Creation: “In the beginning, God…” is how the entire sacred record [...]

Counting the Omer Starting on First Fruits, our congregation counts every day for 50 days in preparation for Pentecost. As each day passes, we cross off numbers and celebrate the fact that we are one day closer. “Closer to what?” our children ask, their eyes full of wonder. Excitement grows and anticipation builds. Aren’t countdowns exhilarating? Is that why God instructs us to count? So we can return to the awe and thrill we once experienced as a child? After many days of counting, the day finally arrives–Pentecost. Pentecost, the day in which the apostles received the gift of the Holy Spirit and human relationship with God completely changed. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, access to Yahweh became available to all. His presence is no longer restricted by geographical locations or heritage. But rather, we now carry His presence inside of us. The Invitation Pentecost is an invitation. During this season, we are invited to move more deeply into His presence. We are invited to experience His power in new ways.  And, we are invited to step into our call as disciples. Now for those of you who haven’t been watching The Chosen and need a refresher of what life as a disciple is like, I’ll give you a brief overview. A disciple is called. A disciple trades the life they imagined for themself for the one Jesus has for them. And, a disciple receives access to unending power. Walking in Power Stepping out in new power sounds pretty great, right? So how do we start? Simply, by saying yes. And not so simply, saying yes despite uncertainty and fear. Where excitement grows, so often does tension. And as we anticipate The Lord unveiling new power in our lives, we face the constant reminder that when left to ourselves, we are grossly inefficient for the tasks set before us. We are human. We are frail. And no matter how long we walk with The Lord, we won’t reach perfect completion on this side of eternity. So praise God that He knows all of our limitations and chooses us anyway. We are not left to ourselves. Instead, we receive the Holy Spirit with the promise that we can return to Him over and over again as we walk into uncharted territory. The Bible is filled with the constant promise that we will never be alone; the Holy Spirit is God in us. Thus, we can celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit with the expectation that what was dry can be refreshed. And where we are weak, we walk with His power. Invitation to Respond Pentecost is the yearly invitation to receive new power. Whether you are celebrating your first Pentecost or you have attended 75 Pentecost services, The Lord is inviting you to experience Him in a new way. Where do you need a refreshing dose of power?  Where is He asking you to say “Yes” where you have before settled into “I am unqualified or “this is impossible?” We believe that the Lord has new power for you and that He wants to meet with you in [...]

If you have ever attended a Sabbath service with us at TwentySixEight, you have probably heard the blowing of a shofar. In Jewish traditions, the shofar (a trumpet made from a ram’s horn) is blown during battles and Biblical holidays. It signifies repentance, power, and calls listeners to attention. In addition to these major events, we like to blow a shofar each Sabbath as a call to worship. The sound of the trumpet lets us know that something is happening—something wonderful. It is an invitation to once again give our attention to The Lord and usher in His presence. We are a worshiping congregation who takes seriously the fact that God is enthroned on the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). In times of abundance, worship is especially easy. It is easy to praise God when we see His glorious works around us. But what about when glory seems like a distant promise for someone else? What of worship then? Can we really give God glory when our lives seem to be falling apart? Yes. The people of the Bible were not immune from troubled times. In fact, book after book describes our ancestors facing seemingly impossible tasks. But throughout the pages, we are shown examples of how to praise God, no matter the circumstances in which we are living. Habakkuk 3:17 says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.“ “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” Hard times are an inevitable part of life on this side of eternity. They come in the form of sickness and disease. Maybe you have lost your income. Or your home. Maybe your struggle with depression or your anxiety seems like a losing battle. Trials of this life come. But they do not have to rob us of the joy God has for us. Worship is the act of giving your heart. What we worship pinpoints what we give our affections and allegiances to. We worship something by clinging to it. If worship portrays where our affections and allegiances lie, should our worship ever stop? And shouldn’t we cling tighter to The Lord when all else feels uncertain? We worship Yahweh because He is good. Psalm 23 reminds us that even in the midst of the valleys of this life, we are never alone. And that where The Lord is, comes overflowing goodness and mercy. We are a people who raise a hallelujah, knowing that God is in control and that God is good. While we may not be physically together to hear the shofar blown in our church building­– here is your call to worship. You are invited to cling to Yahweh once again. And why not start with the [...]

An Ode to Moms (On Mother's Day)   We at TwentySixEight know how much the moms in our community do.   You are the nurturers And the bearers of life. You make disciples And endless amounts of cookies. You are gospel sharers, Storytellers, And naptime warriors. You know how to have fun And how to clean it all up when the time comes. You are the giver of great hugs And the first call with big news. You are mom. And we see you.   We see the tired moms that are reaching for yet another cup of coffee, And the homeschooling moms who are patiently going over the lesson one more time. We see the moms who are always cheering, always encouraging, And the working moms trying to juggle provision and responsibilities. We see the moms that are missing their children today, And the moms who will spend all day with them. We see you. You are an irreplaceable part of our community.   So for everything you do… Thank you. You are cherished.   Proverbs 31:25-29: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed.”   May The Lord continue to shine His face upon you on this special day.

  OBSERVING YOM HASHOAH (DAY OF REMEMBRANCE) Over 75 years ago, the Jewish people experienced mass genocide under the Nazi regime. The casualties were astronomical— six million lives were lost, approximately 2/3 of Europe’s Jewish population. In remembrance of the event and the lives lost, Israel celebrates Yom Hashoah each year. This year, Yom Hashoah falls on Tuesday, April 21st. In similar fashion, the US will celebrate Holocaust Remembrance Day through a series of weeklong events spanning from Sunday, April 19th - Sunday, April 26th.   In previous years, a quick Google search would reveal services held in synagogues or museums around town.  However, due to the coronavirus, organizations have not released any official plans for 2020.  Luckily, you can still observe the day without leaving your home. Here are four ways to observe Yom Hashoah from home.   LIGHT A YELLOW CANDLE By Jewish tradition, a yahrzeit memorial candle is lit during periods of mourning. These candles burn 24 hours and are lit annually on a loved one’s anniversary of death. So it is no surprise that observing Yom Hashoah also invites participants into a yearly lighting of candles.   To participate from home, light some candles and observe a minute of silence. Be sure to grab yellow candles, which represent the yellow armband that Jewish people were forced to wear during the Holocaust.   VISIT THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL WEBSITE  Located in Washington DC, the USHMM offers resources to observe the day from home. They recommend reading the names of some of the victims to both honor their lives and to better understand the scale of the loss. An estimated 650 names can be read in an hour.  You can find more information at ushmm.org.   WATCH A MOVIE Though Holocaust-inspired movies can be difficult to watch, becoming desensitized and forgetting the impact of the Holocaust would be devastating too. If you feel up to it, there are fantastic movies to watch that commemorate the stories of those in the Holocaust. Keep in mind that movies of this nature are generally not suited for children and contain many themes of violence. While there are several movies to choose from, consider Schindler’s List. Or, for a short documentary about a Holocaust survivor, The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life.   GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA There is no denying the impact that social media has on all generations. Show your support on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Be sure to include #WeRemember or #HolocaustRemembrance to sync up with the international movement.   There are several ways to observe Yom Hashoah from home, whether it’s lighting a candle, watching a movie, or simply spreading awareness on social media. While each is a small endeavor, there is power in numbers.   Let us never forget the Holocaust. And by doing so, may be we never relive such a time.   {{ vc_btn: title=Visit+USHMM+Website&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&button_block=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ushmm.org%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Visit+Yad+Vashem+Website&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&button_block=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.yadvashem.org%7C%7C%7C }}

TITHING 101 Tithing: Let’s talk about one of the historically most uncomfortable & avoided topics amongst friends—money. While 1 Timothy 6:10 reminds us that the love of money is the root of all evil, the evil is not in the money itself. God isn’t disgusted with money. He doesn't ask His children to abandon the concept of money all together.  He doesn't ask us to live outside of the culture in isolation and poverty. Rather, Yahweh shows that His heart for us is fruitfulness. He shows that tithing is the pathway to financial fruit. Let’s start with some of the basics. WHAT IS A TITHE? The word Tithe means 1/10th. Biblically, tithing is the practice in which we give 10% of our income back to the Lord through our local congregation. WHAT ARE TITHES USED FOR?  Historically, tithes were used to support the livelihood of priests in order to make room in their daily schedule to serve Yahweh and His people. Today, not much has changed. Churches use tithes to support pastoral staff and maintain the church building. Often tithes are used in conjunction with projects/programs to support the Church's mission. WHAT IF I CAN'T AFFORD TO TITHE?  We have all been in that spot when it seems that our money is spent before we even get it. In such cases, it is easy to assume that God’s heart for us is to reduce the financial strain and thereby release us from our duty to tithe. But the reality is that God promises provision and abundance through tithing, not by avoiding it. In Malachi 3:10, the Lord says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” That is a pretty powerful promise. But the Lord’s goodness extends far beyond the surface. The phrase “open the window of heaven….and pour down for you a blessing” reference the opening of the heavens and the pouring out of rain that came down during the days of Noah. With that in mind, go back and read His promise. That’s a lot of rain! And coincidentally, that’s a lot of blessing! God’s storehouse is so much bigger than we can even fathom. By trusting Him with our finances, He promises to take care of our needs. And by tithing, we are invited to witness His generosity and faithfulness in new and practical ways. Proverbs 3:9-10 reinforces this idea, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with your first fruits of all your produce. Then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine.” IS IT GENEROUS TO TITHE? No. Tithing does not indicate a generous heart on our end. Rather, tithing is done out of obedience to Yahweh and His instruction.  And it is through obedience with our money that we are able to receive His financial fruit. And that brings us back to 1 Timothy 6:10 where we [...]

COUNTING THE DAYS Counting the Days is a fifty-day period during which Yahweh instructed Israel to mark each day from Unleavened Bread to Pentecost by counting them. It symbolizes God’s desire to build anticipation in us for the blessing of Pentecost.The keynote of this fifty-day period is marking each day by remembering to count them. The fifty days between Passover and Pentecost is a time of anticipation and preparation. Yahweh led Israel to Mt. Sinai to receive his Torah. And, 1,500 years later, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had received power from heaven (Acts 1:8). Each year, when we count the days, we prepare ourselves to experience the transforming power of God’s Word and Spirit. Yahweh promised he would meet with and speak to his people (Exodus 29:38-46). With holiness and pure passion, God longs to dwell among us. And as he dwells with us, he wants to reveal his heart to us. To speak to us. To show us the beauty of his glory. If we’re willing to prioritize his presence, he will meet with us. And if we take the time to listen, he will speak to us. Of course, we believe these promises are fulfilled through Jesus, our Messiah. Through his death and resurrection, he entered God’s presence for us. There, he rests in his Father’s presence, interceding on our behalf. Because he’s there, we’re invited to come boldly into God’s presence to see his face, hear his voice, and receive his grace (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 4:15,16). More than any other way, God speaks through his Word and prayer. While there are many ways we can approach God, these following practices are designed to cultivate the habit of God’s presence and attune our ears to his voice. They help us prayerfully engage God’s Word through prayerful reading and responding. Because God’s Word is living and active, reveals the beauty of his ways, and shows us his heart, we can expect to encounter him as we interact faithfully with his Word (Psalm 1:1-6; 19:7-11; II Timothy 3:15,16; Hebrews 4:15,16). Personal Prayer: Lectio Divina & Praying the Psalms There are two exercises intended to cultivate personal prayer: Lectio Divina and Praying the Psalms. Consider spending fifteen minutes in the morning and evening using these exercises to create awareness of God’s presence and voice. During your personal prayer time, use scripture passages of your choice.   FIVE STEPS TO PRAY FOR COUNTING THE DAYS You can use the following exercises individually or to cultivate family prayer. Consider spending five-to-ten minutes in the morning OR evening using this exercise for your family prayer times. During your family prayer time, use the short scripture passage in the Counting the Day Guide.   STEP 1: REVIEW YOUR PRAYER GOALS Before you begin to pray together, take a moment to review your prayer goals for the season. What one thing are you asking God to do in your personal life during the Counting the Days? What one thing are you asking God to do in your family life during the Counting the Days? What one thing are you asking God to do [...]

A Gluten Free Passover Delight The Feast of Unleavened Bread starts on April 9th.  That means you have just a few short days to finish off all those leavened goodies in your pantry before it is time to remove the Chametz (leavening products) from your house. If the thought of giving up fluffy breads and cakes seems too much to bear—don’t worry. Giving up leaven does not mean you have to sacrifice flavor, as demonstrated by Susan Boyd’s Gluten Free Almond Danish Pastry.   This Passover pastry perfectly combines brunch and dessert. It is characterized by a light and flaky crust, a hint of honey goodness and has been likened to modern-day manna. This recipe can easily satisfy a family of four with leftovers. But why not double it and share with some neighbors?   Gluten Free Passover Almond Danish Pastry   Base Layer ½ cup butter 1 cup GF flour blend* 2 Tbsp. water   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut butter into flour until the size of small peas. Sprinkle water over mixture with a fork. Gather pastry into a ball; divide in half. Pat each half into rectangle, about 12”x3” on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 1/4 inch thick.   Egg layer ½ cup butter 1 cup water 1 tsp. almond extract 1 cup GF flour blend* 3 eggs   Heat butter and water to a rolling boil and then remove from the heat. Quickly stir in almond extract and flour. Return to low heat and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball, about one minute. Remove from heat and add eggs one at a time; beat until smooth and spreadable.   Spread half of the topping over each rectangle and bake for 50-60 minutes or until topping is crisp and golden brown. While that is baking, prepare your cream cheese frosting.     Honey Cream Cheese Frosting 8 oz. cream cheese ¼ cup softened butter ¼ cup honey ½ tsp. almond extract Sliced almonds (optional)   Beat together and spread on cool pastry.  Top with sliced almonds.   Recipe Notes: You will need to make sure your GF flour blend does not contain any leavening products   If you make this treat (and you should), be sure to share a picture on our Instagram!        

The Power of Music   A guitarist in New York writing songs and lyrics about the coronavirus. Bono writing songs about the illness and its effects on society. Italians in the balconies of Rome lifting each other's spirits by joining together in song and music daily across the country. Music has forever been a part of every culture. In a sense, music is the only language that every culture across the world speaks. Music speaks to the soul of a person far deeper than anything else. "The language of music is common to all generations and nations," Gioachino Rossini, the virtuosic opera composer, once said. “It is understood by everybody, since it is understood with the heart.” So, during the quarantines being set across the world, people are taking advantage of the time at home to write songs and cheer each other's spirits through melody. Musicians across balconies found connection with their neighbors and filled the silence of seclusion with tunes and melodies. In a sense, people across the world, whether musician or not, are embracing music as a common language to beat the quarantine.   How Does This Apply to Us?   Music is an opportunity for us to step into new areas of creativity in our life. Have you always wanted to play guitar, but never took it up? Have you always loved singing in the shower, but never got the courage to sing in front of other people? Have you thought about songs and poetry, but been too afraid to write the lyrics? Have you wanted to learn how to read music, but never took it on? Find a guitar! Watch Youtube videos on vocal lessons! Find songwriting tips online and pull out the pen and paper! All the resources we need are online, and the only thing holding us back from learning about it is ourselves. We can use the melodies and songs we learn to glorify God and bring community together. How amazing is it to see people posting online about how they are taking up music? Does it make you excited to see people praising God in their living rooms? We can use the talent and skill God gives to us to bring people together in community. Bring people into your new musical journey and use the songs you learn to bring hope to the others around you. We can take this time to allow music to fill us up with new gratitude and joy for the God we serve. Ephesians 5:19 says "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord." Now is your opportunity to learn a new skill and glorify God with your talent, skill and worship! So what are you waiting for? Pick up that dusty guitar, and pull out the journal and pens. Let creativity be your guide, and praise the Lord with your heart, soul and mouth.

Flourish While Quarantined? Let's face it, being stuck in our homes for the next several weeks because of coronavirus is not going to be easy. We don't just want to cope during this time and leave our homes at the end of two months full of cabin fever and swear it was the worst time of our lives. With a little bit of conscious investment and a lot of fun, we can flourish while quarantined! Here is a list of some practical ways you and your family can enjoy this time of rest and take advantage of the situation. Cultivate Your Emotional Health Take some time to journal. Step out of your life and reflect. Take these evenings at home captive as you write out what God is doing in your life during this time. Make time for unscheduled creativity. Turn off social media and entertainment and give yourself and your kids time to be creative. Get the legos out! Get the paints out! Make playdough and mud pies! Kids need time for unfettered creativity so their minds can grow in imagination and new ideas. Start up one of your own hobbies again. Maybe now is the time to learn to play that instrument you have always been wanting to learn. Maybe you will finally get around to learning how to sketch. Be creative and take the time you need to do it. Read books that nourish your heart and mind. Reading is a wonderful way to open up our worlds. Whether you choose non-fiction or fiction, every book will add to your life. Bring out new books for you kids, and better yet, read a classic book with your kids aloud. Declutter. Complete house projects. Give stuff away. We are stepping into the spring, so what better time to clean house! Clean out those empty shelves and complete the Honey-do list. Give away the things you don't need, and refresh your house and mind with simplicity. Cultivate Your Physical Health Start a new exercise routine. We all tried that New Year's resolution to get more fit, but for most of it, it didn't stick. Maybe now is your chance to workout, clean up our diet, and get back into healthy routines. Rest and sleep. What better time to rest and refresh ourselves? Most Americans barely sleep 6.8 hours a night! Now we can take the time to get the sleep our culture sorely lacks. Take time to prepare your food. Nothing is more exciting than learning a new recipe and eating something you made with your own hands. Pull out recipe books and teach your kids how to cook! Go to the great outdoors! Go for walks in your neighborhood, plan hikes, and ride bikes! No one told us we couldn't be outside, so take advantage of it and get some fresh air! Cultivate Your Spiritual Health Spend time reading and studying God's Word. Everyone tries to make time for Bible reading, what better time to do it? Pick up on that book of the Bible you have been studying, or memorize scripture. Pray. Consider this season as a [...]

Unleavened Bread: What is it?  When the people of Israel fled Egypt during the first Passover, there was no time for their bread to rise. So as they journeyed to the land promised by God, they relied on unleavened bread to sustain them. To remember their journey, and to commemorate our own yearly walk into new freedom, we are a people that celebrate the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread.   This year, the Feast runs April 9th-15th, so mark your calendars! Today we rid our lives of common leavening agents. The major culprits of today are yeast, baking powder, and baking soda. Not only will we be preparing food without them, but we also remove them entirely from our pantries and homes.   Just as a little leaven affects an entire loaf, unchecked sin multiplies in our lives.  The Spring Holidays invite us into freedom. And the Feast of Unleavened Bread invites us into holiness and freedom from sin. And by removing leavening products, we are renewing our commitment to the removal of sin in our lives. As a result, we eat matzah, or unleavened bread. And we eat a lot of it...   With a little creativity, matzah can find a place in almost all your favorite recipes—bread, pizza crust, and lasagna noodles. I have even seen some pretty creative matzah cakes and matzah-bread houses (in lieu of gingerbread houses).   If you are new to unleavened bread, here is Susan Boyd’s fail proof recipe.   The Recipe: How to Make it  ¼ cup white flour ¾ cup whole wheat flour ¼ tsp. salt ¼ cup oil 2 Tbsp. cold water Sesame seeds (optional)   Stir flour and salt together. Add oil to flour and mix with a fork. Sprinkle the cold water over the dough and mix it in. Roll the dough onto a cookie sheet, score it into squares, and pierce with a fork. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.   Because of the small number of ingredients and the quick turnaround time, baking unleavened bread is a great way to engage your kids during the holiday. Not only does it create an opportunity to share the stories of Passover, but it also builds traditions that your children will pass along to their future generations.   Unleavened bread may sound intimidating, but like most things Yahweh invites us into, it is pretty simple.  And it is full of rich goodness. So go ahead, start planning your unleavened recipes. You won’t regret it.   Be sure to look for our post sharing Susan’s GF Passover Almond Danish Pastry.

Your Immune System and Coronavirus As we step into the next several weeks, many people want to be wary about how to boost their immune system so they stay safe from coronavirus. Well, the experts have some good suggestions for you. These suggestions are simple solutions of easy things to eat at home to boost your immune system. The full article by the Epoch Times and Jaya Jaya Myra can be found here.   Garlic Garlic is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and an active compound known as allicin. Garlic is known to strengthen the immune system, restore suppressed antibody response to disease, and help combat respiratory infections. Dr. David Friedman, naturopathic physician and author of “Food Sanity: How to Eat in a World of Fads and Fiction,” said garlic is his first choice as a food remedy. “In 460 BC, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, prescribed garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions. Fast forward to 2020 and modern science confirms garlic can treat everything from the common cold, flu, cardiovascular disease, and even helps in the prevention of cancer.” Ginger Ginger is known to have antiviral properties, contains more than 50 antioxidant compounds and has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits that have been shown to aid breathing and respiration. It’s also great at relieving nausea, treating aches and pains in the body, and reducing indigestion. Basically, ginger can both help combat viral infection and alleviate its symptoms. Black and Green Tea Both black and green teas have antiviral properties thanks to their enzyme-inhibiting and receptor-blocking properties. Tea is packed with catechins that have been shown to fight influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Tea is also loaded with antioxidants and flavonoids, and interestingly the flavonoids may help combat viruses thanks to the way they interact with the gut’s microbiome. Turmeric I can’t say enough good things about turmeric. It’s packed with curcuminoids that have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help protect the body, reduce pain, and even alleviate depression. Curcumin has also been shown to have antiviral properties by inhibiting cell binding. Consume your turmeric with black pepper to significantly increase absorption of curcumin in the body. Probiotic Foods Any food containing probiotics (think fermented foods with active cultures like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut), are your allies in the war against coronavirus, and getting sick in general. Probiotics play many roles in our well-being, with new roles being discovered regularly. Their role against viral infections is due to their immune-boosting properties, bolstering the body’s white blood cell count. They also play a role in mood and mental health, so if you’re stressed out, probiotics can help you feel more balanced. Oregano One of my daily go-to’s for immune support is oregano oil, but you can just as easily reap its effects from the fresh or dried leaves. The active antiviral ingredient is known as carvacrol and has been shown to fight viral respiratory infections. You can add oregano to your favorite sauce, soup, or as a salad topper. Cinnamon Cinnamon has long been touted for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties, likely due to its high antioxidant potency which is even stronger than those of garlic or oregano. It’s also anti-inflammatory, reduces blood sugar, and treats […]

PASSOVER 2023 Mark your calendars! April 5th, 2023 begins the 8-day celebration of Passover fun for parents and kids alike. Each year, we remember the miraculous journey that Moses led the people of Israel out of Egyptian slavery. Simultaneously, we begin walking into new freedoms in our own lives. Just as Yahweh confronted the idols in Egyptian culture to declare freedom for the Israelites, He invites us to witness His redemptive plan for our lives in new ways each year. With so much good in a holiday, it only makes sense to include our children. If the sheer love of sharing hope and miraculous victory isn’t enticing enough, you can study the commandment to share this story with our children in Exodus 13:14. To help give you inspiration, here are 6 easy ways to help your children engage in the holiday. Remember, these ideas don’t replace the day-to-day narrative and relationship you share with your child that will help them enter into the holiday in meaningful ways. These are simply tools to help create opportunities. Let's dig into some Passover fun for kids. 1. READ STORIES WITH YOUR KIDS Stories are the foundation on which all other elements are built. Stories are relatable. They are interesting. And the Bible is full of them. So it makes sense to read (or tell) stories for Passover. Because our house includes children, we love to supplement the actual story of the Exodus with fun books. You can find books online, in the library, or even some stores. 2. LET KIDS BE CREATIVE Creating 10 plagues finger puppets. Building a matzah house. Making felt Seder plates! Online, there are a ton of kid-friendly ideas to get their brain working. Crafts and family activities help kids enter into the festivities, and they are a great way to build family traditions. 3. PUT KIDS TO WORK Resist the temptation to send your kiddos outside while you crank out your holiday preparations. Instead, let them help you. Let them hunt down the chametz (leavened food items) and toss them out. Give them a job, like cleaning around the house, to help build anticipation for the festivities. And even let them help with the food preparations. 4. SING AND DANCE All kids love songs. All kids learn through songs. Songs are a big deal in our house. We love to be silly. Music helps us remember important things, like why we celebrate Passover in the first place. Here are a few of our favorites. We would love to hear some of yours! “Jesus the Lamb of God" 5. WATCH THE PRINCE OF EGYPT Sure, this kids movie isn’t totally accurate. But it is a great story, and it will help your children relate to the Passover story. It will get them emotionally connected, and is a good starting point for meaningful conversations. We love to watch this movie as a family each year. 6. USE THE FUN LINGO WITH KIDS Holidays come with their own special words and associations and can seem like another language altogether. In the case of Passover, it actually is. Teach your kids the Hebrew [...]

FORMATION IN UNLEAVENED BREAD The Biblical Jewish Festival of Unleavened Bread commemorates the Israelites' liberation from the land of Egypt. Moses led them out of the wilderness after the Passover and they fled so quickly, their bread didn't even have time to rise. They realized in that moment that God had beaten the gods of Egypt, and their God was bigger than any other. As they were in the wilderness, God used this period of time to test them and grow them. They were formed to be more and more like the Chosen people God called them to be. Because of this, they were able to experience new life in the Promised Land of Israel.   UNLEAVENED BREAD TODAY As Christians, like Israel, God called us out of our old life and into a new one. Not only did He invite us into the resurrection life of Jesus but He also drew us into a life of holiness. Unleavened Bread reminds us that because He freed us, we wanted to be different. We want to know the beauty of holiness and wholeness. We want to leave behind what we’d been and become something different. As Christians, we learn during the season of Unleavened Bread, to tell our story by practically choosing not to each leaven. We demonstrate that we are convinced we can trust our God to rescue us. Because we have encountered Jesus' love, now we get to choose to take up our cross and surrender wholly to Him. Because we experience Jesus' death as the gateway into forgiveness, we now get to receive life and formation. We get to see how Christ living in us changes the way we live.   PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE During the season of Unleavened Bread, most people rid their homes of any leaven. This means many get rid of products like yeast, breads, baking soda and baking powder. The point of eating only unleavened breads during the season allows us to practically recognize the areas where sin has taken a hold of our lives. Not eating leaven brings this to mind each time we consider eating leaven. If you are worried about this, never fear! We have recipes on our blog available for you to try during the week of Passover! As you prepare for Unleavened Bread, consider ridding your home of leaven, and journal about the new life and transformation God wants to bring about in your life. {{ vc_btn: title=Find+Unleavened+Bread+Recipes+Here&style=flat&shape=round&color=black&align=center&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252F268church.org%252Fpassover-recipes%252F%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Find+Out+More+About+The+Spring+Holidays+Here&style=flat&shape=round&color=black&align=center&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252F268church.org%252Fpassover%252F%7C%7C%7C }}

THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS The Biblical Jewish Festival of First Fruits comes a day after the festival of Passover. It was given to the people of Israel as a holiday to celebrate the first fruits of their harvests. Because Israel was an agricultural community, they were to offer to God a sacrifice of the first fruits of their harvest, commemorating their gratitude and thankfulness for his provision. The people of Israel were not to celebrate this holiday until they were in the Promised Land (Leviticus 23:10). This was because they were wanderers whose food was provided from God, not an agricultural community who grew their own food. This day was commemorated as a Sabbath (Numbers 28:26). The people were resting on this day as a reminder that God was their ultimate provider, and it was his provision that gave them a harvest. The people of Israel celebrated this festival through their generations. Even today in Israel, many of the people who work on Kibbutzim (communal agricultural communities) will celebrate the day with a harvest, feasting and dances in the fields until late into the night.   JESUS IN THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS First Fruits commemorates the day the Messiah rose from the grave. Because it comes right after the celebration of Passover, we see this day often falling on a Sunday. In a sense, Jesus fulfilled the holiday through his miraculous resurrection. He was the first to be raised and we have the promise that he will raise us up from the dead too. In this way, we see that the promise of First Fruits is that there is more to come! The harvest is just beginning and Jesus will continue to raise up his people! CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS On this feast day, we would encourage you to take the day off and rest in the abiding presence of Jesus' resurrection. Because Jesus ate fish when he rose from the grave, many people will eat fish during breakfast, lunch or dinner on First Fruits as a reminder of Jesus' resurrection. It is a wonderful day to spend with family and friends being reminded of the provision of God to his people, and the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus. {{ vc_btn: title=Find+a+Yummy+Salmon+Chowder+Recipe+Here&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.allrecipes.com%252Frecipe%252F26463%252Fsalmon-chowder%252F%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Find+Out+More+About+The+Spring+Holidays+Here&style=flat&shape=square&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252F268church.org%252Fpassover%252F%7C%7C%7C }}

PASSOVER IS A SEASON OF FREEDOM The Biblical Jewish Festival of Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from the land of Egypt. Today, Passover is celebrated with a dinner accompanied by liturgy (holy readings), and symbolic elements reminding us of the Passover. Today, as believers in Christ, we know Jesus as the Passover lamb. He was the slain lamb sacrificed for our sins. The symbolic elements of Passover are represented so we can Embrace the Festivals Holistically. To understand Jesus' story of redemption, we must understand the individual freedom in the components through Passover. IDENTITY - WE ARE SONS In Passover, we experience the spiritual blessing of being adopted sons and daughters in Christ's death. Ephesians 1:3-6 describes this adoption as sons and daughters. In 1 Peter 2:9,10, we see that we have been chosen by God, grafted into the family of God. We are adopted for the express purpose of proclaiming God's greatest to the rest of the world. Just as the Israelites were freed from slavery (Exodus 4:23), so we are freed through Jesus' compassionate death (Galatians 4:5,6). We are brought out of our slavery, sanctified for the presence of God. DELIVERANCE - WE ARE RESCUED To "rescue" someone is an indication they can do nothing to influence their own redemption. Try as we might, we are not capable of rescuing ourselves. We can't save ourselves, no matter how strong, capable, smart or perfect we may try to be. The Israelites were delivered from their “bondage” or “service” of the Egyptians and their gods in the Passover story (Numbers 33:4). This redemption is a great act of God's power and sacrifice to free us. Today we know that Jesus' redemption is a free gift. Matthew 26:26-29 tells us Christ was the price given that we might be redeemed. We could never earn the grace of Christ. Rather, we are redeemed by a loving God, without any merit of our own (Colossians 1:13,14). PASSOVER AND THE KINGDOM  - WE HAVE A FUTURE Because we are redeemed, we have the future hope of the time when we will see Jesus (Romans 8:23-25). We are granted eternal life through his death. The sacrifice of the Passover lamb gave the Israelites an opportunity to step toward the Promised Land of Israel. Today, we can experience the Promised Land and the Kingdom of God in our own lives. His Kingdom is already here, and when we give our hearts to Jesus, we become a part of that Kingdom. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE On the evening we celebrate Passover, there is a time for everyone to share how Jesus has brought freedom into their lives over the past year. We all share what freedom we expect to experience in the coming year. As you prepare for Passover, consider journaling about the following questions in preparation for Passover. How has Jesus’ death given me freedom to experience deeper intimacy with Him? How has Jesus’ death changed my experiences in worship? Based on Jesus death, what have I discovered about repentance over the last year? {{ vc_btn: title=Find+Out+More+About+Passover+Here&style=flat&shape=round&color=black&align=center&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252F268church.org%252Fpassover%252F%7C%7C%7C }}

OUR STORY IN THE PASSOVER SEASON The Biblical Jewish Festival of Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from the land of Egypt. Today, Passover is celebrated with a dinner accompanied by liturgy (holy readings), and symbolic elements reminding us of the Passover. Symbolic elements of Passover, the Seder are use so we can Embrace the Festivals Holistically. In order to fully understand the story of Passover, we must first understand how it tells OUR story. We are storytelling in the Passover season. When we look at the Exodus, we can see that in fact it is a story—and it’s an epic tale of freedom. God wrote this story as a picture of all our stories. What we see in the Exodus is symbolic of what we live when we taste God’s redemption. As our lives come to embody the purpose and truth to which the original Exodus pointed, we will continue telling the story of freedom in our generation. THE EXPOSITION - EGYPT In Exodus 1, the plot begins with the Israelites enslaved by the evil Egyptian Pharaoh. The king "did not know Joseph" or in other words, he did not know the God of Joseph. He forced them into slave labor out of his fear that they would rise up against Egypt, or escape. This is a compelling story and an exciting, if a bit horrifying, beginning. Today, we can ask ourselves a question about this plot. What was our “plot” or storyline of our personal and family lives before we encountered Jesus? Who were the major characters in our stories? THE RISING ACTION - BONDAGE Israel was in bondage. They needed a savior, and God commissioned Moses to go lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Like Israel, we’ve all been in bondage—or else we would never have come to Jesus. While bondage is a general human condition, we all have bondages from which we’ve been redeemed. So our story starts with our own Egypt, the place of our bondage from which we needed to be freed. What conflicts characterized our lives before encountering Jesus? How did these conflicts create patterns of bondage? What idols needed to be defeated in order for our bondage to be broken? How did we see tensions (relationships and circumstances) arose that revealed our need for redemption? What did God have to do in order to expose and destroy our idols?   THE CLIMAX - JUDGEMENT ON IDOLS  God redeemed his people Israel through the many plagues he sent upon Egypt. The climax comes to a peak when God strikes the firstborn of Egypt on the night of Passover. This changed Pharaoh's heart and redeemed the Israelites. Like Israel, all who trust and follow Jesus call out to Him to be rescued. And why do we do this? Because in the midst of our chains, God’s grace is already working in us to show us our misery. His grace gives us hope that someone, somewhere will rescue us. Then, at some point, Jesus intervenes, destroys the idols that bound us, and takes us out of our Egypt. Now we can ask ourselves how Jesus’ redemption finally [...]

Passover recipes are all over the internet. Passover poses challenges to even the most seasoned chef or baker due to the lack of leavening in the meals. During the seven days between Passover and Unleavened Bread, we are instructed to not eat leaven as a reminder of the Israelites who left Egypt in such a hurry they couldn't let their bread rise in time. Because of this, the internet has taken the challenge on, and Passover recipes working around the leavening component are found everywhere! We would encourage you to find your own recipes for desserts, baked goods and yummy dinners. The recipes listed below are our chef's favorite recipes to try during the Spring season. All of them are wonderful additions to your Passover meal, and we hope you find great use in these tried and true recipes! Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit and Capers Brisket, either lamb or beef is a typical main course for a Passover meal, but this recipe has some pizazz! Try this out for the best brisket you have ever had! Chocolate Chip Walnut Mandelbrot: A biscotti-like cookie, Mandelbrot are Eastern European style cookies, often with chocolate, walnuts or almonds. And the best part is... completely leaven-free! Chocolate Macaroon Cake:  Think chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons... but as a cake! A fantastic addition to your Passover dessert menu, everyone will be asking for more of this! Passover Chocolate-Toffee Matzo Take the traditionally boring Matzo cracker and turn it into matzo covered in chocolate: think heavenly! Any toppings can be switched out for the toffee, but all versions are delicious! Passover Pistachio and Dried Fruit Haroset A classic passover recipe, haroset is a paste made of fruit and nuts, and it is typically used during a Passover Seder. This recipe can't be beat!

The book of Esther tells the tale of Esther and Mordecai, two Jews who saved the Jewish people from annihilation in the Persian Empire. During the holiday, many who celebrate the holiday dress up in fun costumes, hold fun traditions and give gifts to others in celebration of God's redemption. But why gifts? GIVING GIFTS FOR UNITY Chapter nine of the book of Esther speaks to the 14th of Adar, the day Purim is celebrated. The people of Israel are beckoned to partake in "gladness and feasting and sending gifts of food to one another." In traditional Judaism, this giving is called mishloach manot.  At the time, the Jewish people were a people not in their own land. When Babylon captured Israel, the exiles were sent to Persian cities like Susa as a way to assimilate them into the culture. Thus, Israel became a "scattered and divided nation." For the Jews living in Persia, the events of Purim called for action, and the people united to protect their culture and tradition. That's where the gifts come in. The purpose of gift-giving then was two-fold. First, the Jewish people sent gifts to encourage a sense of resolve and unity. No matter their physical whereabouts in the empire, gifts affirmed their Jewish heritage. The ability to stand together in conviction and faith in God has preserved the Jewish people through every period of history. GIVING GIFTS TO CARE FOR THE POOR Secondly, gifts were used to bless people who were struggling. Looking out for the poor and marginalized is so important to God, that He commands His people to practice a lifestyle of looking out for the poor in Deuteronomy 15:11. Giving gifts to each other during the holidays such as Sukkot (Tabernacles) and Purim were normal occurrences. Giving gifts, especially food, ensured that everyone had the ability to celebrate the holiday, regardless of income. Every Jewish person was provided for because of the community coming together to fulfill the mandate of God. In this way, the poor and rich alike were brought together and given a chance to experience the redemptive power of God through Purim. GIVING GIFTS TODAY Think giving gifts at Purim is outdated? Or just for the Jewish community? Thank again! We have the same opportunity today to come together in unity with our Christian brothers and sisters. The New Testament also speaks of providing for those in need. Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 19:21 to give up their possessions to those in need so that they would "store up treasures in heaven." In Philippians 2:4, we are called to "look to the interests of others." During Purim, we can remember the words of Jesus and generously extend our hands to those who are in need. So as you prepare for Purim in 2023, ask yourself this question: how am I considering those in need around me? Take time with your family to recognize the needs of those around you and brainstorm some ways you can help. Do you know a single mom who needs money to pay her rent? Send her an anonymous gift of cash. [...]

The festival Purim is a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated in the Jewish month of Adar, falling in March or April. The biblical holiday is not a mandated festival, but Purim is a rousing event marked by storytelling and costumes, giving and feasting. Why is it important for us to celebrate Purim as Christians? Why is it a celebration anyway? The book of Esther tells the riveting tale of Esther and Mordecai, two Jews who saved the Jewish people from annihilation in the Persian Empire. Read a synopsis of the story here. The Purim story is fascinating and gives a unique account of the events that transpired when the Jews were exiles from their homeland around 480 BC. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of the people who God providentially uses to rescue his people from being wiped out. Watch a video on the story of Esther here. Esther is a young Jewish girl who unexpectedly rises to power as the Queen of the Persian Empire. The King's Prime Minister Haman created a plot to annihilate the Jewish people. Esther and her cousin Mordecai bravely use their political stance and cunning to bring the evil Haman to justice and save an entire people group from extinction. The book is political, dramatic, artfully written, and the arc of the story shows the writer of Esther to be truly brilliant in his portrayal of details and climactic themes. So what are the themes of the book and why should we celebrate the holiday as Christians? THE THEME OF GOD NEVER MENTIONED The first thing a reader notices when they read the story of Esther is that God is never mentioned. No reference to the God of the Israelites is ever noticed, although there are a few implications given when Esther and Mordecai pray. The author strategically wrote the book in this way to reveal the  main theme of the story: God is never absent from his people, even when we don’t see him. The author of Esther told the story through “behind the scenes coincidences” and the work of people in “just the right place in the right time” situations. Every perfect situation and happenstance moment cannot be just mere coincidence, but points very clearly to the God who orchestrates the entire story. We can be encouraged by this as Christians, because we know that God is always working, even when we don't see him. This theme is most present when we observe the many times the Jewish and Christian people have been persecuted throughout the centuries. We still know that God has proved himself faithful to his people no matter what. The story of Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish people who revolted against the Greek empire 400 years before Jesus. During the Holocaust, many Jews died at the hands of Hitler, but God proved his faithfulness to his people again in the death of Hitler and the miraculous redemption of the Jews from death camps. God performed another miracle when the State of Israel began in 1945, offering a safe place for the Jewish people. Joseph Stalin died on Purim in 1953, which [...]

Israel is the Biblical Holy Land. Many people know it as the land of Jesus and the land of the Bible. But why should we support Israel today as Christians? There are countless reasons, but we will give you four short reasons why we support Israel today as Christians. ISRAEL IS THE LAND OF GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE God promised Abraham a land and a nation when he made a covenant with him in Genesis 15. As believers in Jesus and the Messiah, we know that God promised his people a land and a nation forever. As believers in Jesus, we know when a promise is made in covenant between God and his people, God will never go back on that promise. Today we know that Israel is the land of God's chosen people because of his covenant with Abraham. As Christians we can be sure that God's promises to us today will be fulfilled in the same way. Because of this, Israel has a right to their land, a right to be a nation, a right to be a people group, and a right to defend themselves. WHEN WE BLESS ISRAEL, WE WILL BE BLESSED In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham that he would "bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." Throughout history, we have seen the proof that God blessed those nations who stood with Israel and cursed those who did not. Even today, this means we will be blessed as individuals, and as a nation when we stand by the people of Israel. We can stand with Israel knowing that God has a purpose and a plan for his people. ISRAEL IS THE ONLY SAFE PLACE FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST Today in most Middle Eastern countries, any person who is found to be following Jesus is killed, persecuted or imprisoned. Since the beginning of the nation of Israel, Christians have been welcomed and protected in the borders of Israel. In addition, it is the only country in the Middle East who values the rights of women, refugees, religions and the press. It reflects these rights in its politics and ways of conducting daily life. We can support the nation of Israel just because they protect the rights of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East. ISRAEL IS A BLESSING TO THE WORLD Israelis live life by the mandate Tikkun Olam, or "Save the World". This is the belief that if they make the world a better place for one person, they have done good in the world. God made his chosen people Israel to be a "light to the nations," and we can see this in the way Israel blesses the rest of the world. Israel is at the forefront of the medical movement and has provided life saving procedures that have changed the medical field for good. They are at the forefront of the technology field and many of our technological advances today are due to the Jewish people. They lead the world in humanitarian work with their "first in, last out" mandate to help countries recover from disasters. They have [...]

Challah is a Jewish braided sweetbread, usually enjoyed during Shabbat, or Sabbath, a weekly biblical celebration of rest. But why is challah such an important part of Sabbath, and what is it's history? BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BREAD In the Bible, bread symbolizes provision from the Lord. God provided manna or "bread from heaven" for the people of Israel while they were in the desert. On the sixth day of the week, Friday, God provided twice as much of the manna so the people of Israel could rest from work on Sabbath. God provided more than they needed in order to show his abundance and provision to his people. In Numbers 15:18-21, we see the first reference in the Bible to challah or "cake". “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the Lord. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the Lord as a contribution throughout your generations." We see in this passage that some of this bread that was presented to the Lord in his tabernacle or temple was to be holy.  Bread continued to be an important part of biblical stories. Specifically in Mark 14:22-25, Jesus broke bread and drank wine with his disciples, symbolizing his death on the cross in provision for their sins. So bread continued through the Bible as a representation of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross in communion. THE HISTORY OF CHALLAH The term challah may come from the phrase hafrashat challah or "separating bread" representing a tradition of the Jewish people back during the first and second Temples in Jerusalem in which they would rip a portion of the dough off of the bread before they braided it as a sacrifice to the Lord. While the word challah means many things in various languages, it consistently has referred to bread in a Jewish context. Through history, challah became the term for a yiddish bread that was made all across European countries by Jews ranging from Poland, Austria and Germany. THE SIGNIFICANCE AND TRADITION OF CHALLAH Challah became a tradition during Sabbath dinner in order to represent the provision God gave to his people in the wilderness and the tradition continues today. Challah is made into two loaves representing the double-portion God gave to his people. It is to be braided so it has twelve "humps" representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve loaves of holy bread in the Tabernacle. It is braided in three strands to symbolize unity, peace and love because they look like arms intertwined. In addition, it is a reminder of the Shema or "Hear and Obey". Christians today can also see the trinity in the three strands of bread woven together into one. When the bread is baked, it is ripped rather than sliced to remember the priests in the temple who would [...]

Sabbath Sabbath is a time of rest as we remember that our Creator called us to rest in his goodness and grace. But how does Sabbath interact with the bigger picture of the gospel? Sabbath began at the creation of the world. God declared his power and authority over time and space by resting from the work that he had done. Adam and Eve followed this same pattern of rest in the Garden of Eden. There was wholeness in Sabbath rest because it created a set-apart time. This set apart time was declaring that man is given freedom from work through God's rest. God created this sacred space and sacred time set apart from all the rest of time in order to bring wholeness to his creation. God next gave the people of Israel the mandate to follow Sabbath as a gift and a provision for their tangible and spiritual needs. He gave them twice as much manna in the wilderness of Sinai so they could rest on Sabbath. This was not given to the people out of a religious "saved by works" mandate, but rather meant to declare His imminence and give the people of Israel the conviction that they were set apart as a nation for something more. They were to declare the goodness of the Living God Yahweh to the rest of the nations. They were to reflect this in their daily practices and new hearts in Yahweh. Jesus in the Sabbath When God became flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus, He kept Sabbath. In addition to keeping the Sabbath, he performed miracles on the Sabbath, and taught and preached and cast out demons on Saturday. He was designating his power over Sabbath and his authority over time, just as he had when he created the world. He was showing us what life in the age to come would look like. Today, as followers of Jesus, keeping Sabbath is a practical expression of following God's mandate of rest as well as living as Jesus lived. Sabbath invites us to see gospel restoration. This leads to us adjusting our schedules so that we can be restored, and then extend that life to other people so that they can be restored. We are given the hope that someday we will rest in eternity with Jesus and be forever with him. Sabbath strengthens the hope that we will be resurrected and that His promise will be true. Sabbath in History Jesus’ disciples, His apostles, the early church and believers for centuries have all received the gift of stepping into this seventh day sanctuary. Today, we do the same. We do not celebrate Sabbath as some religious attempt to find God through it, but rather to see His lovingkindness in it. Sabbath is a moment in time when we cease from work and rest. We lay down the cares of this world, rejoice in the beauty of sharing life with others, and consider God’s goodness in our lives. All of this is a part of the bigger gospel story that God has been telling since the beginning of [...]

Sabbath, or Shabbat is the Jewish holiday observed every week from sunset on Friday evening to sunset on Saturday evening. Sabbath is a time of rest as we remember that our Creator called us to rest in his goodness and grace. But how is this lived out in the life of a believer today? Sabbath calls us to practical rest and worship. We do not celebrate it today as some kind of religious attempt to find God through it, but rather to see his lovingkindness in it. Sabbath is a moment in time when we cease from work. So here are five practical ways to live out Sabbath in today's world: FIRST, SABBATH IS AN INVITATION TO CEASE FROM WORK It reminds us that we are no longer slaves to work. Just like the Israelites who were redeemed from Egypt celebrated Sabbath in the wilderness, so can we. We are reminded of the provision of the Lord and we are invited to trust him to provide for us, even when we don't work. You can choose to intentionally take time away from your busy life and rest. When we stop working, mowing our lawns, and buying clothes, we get an opportunity to step away from life, we spend time in the presence of God and in the presence of those we love. When we physically rest we are blessed. We may ask, "how do we step away from work when my boss needs me, or my children's soccer game is on Saturday afternoon?" It is a matter of choice. We can actively make the decision to choose to rest and we can step into trusting God to provide us with what we need. We trust Him enough to leave our provision in His capable hands. SECONDLY, SABBATH IS AN INVITATION TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Sabbath gives us an opportunity to engage in church and community. Sabbath in the Bible was always a communal experience, whether it was the Jews gathering in the temple in David's day, or believers who met in the synagogue during the time of the early church in Acts. Sabbath is meant to be shared. The communal experience of unity with other believers allows us to intercede for miracles to be performed on Sabbath like when Jesus was on earth. What does this practically look like? This means we attend church and spend time in community on Saturday. We may ask the question, "What if I cannot find a Sabbath-keeping church?" The emphasis of community can be celebrated in good formative God-fearing communities on Sunday as well, but this does not mean we forget Saturday as the day of rest ordained by God. THIRDLY, SABBATH IS AN INVITATION TO DELIGHT Sabbath is meant to be a time of delighting and rejoicing in the Lord and the good things he has done for us. Taking time to delight in the Sabbath rest is about the fragrance of Heaven working in our lives so we can enjoy him. Practically this can mean many things: spend time with your family, enjoy time in nature, reading a book or take a nap. [...]

Yes Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you. Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. -Isaiah 26:8 “Twenty Six Eight? Like… the numbers? It’s a church? Huh, that’s interesting. What does that mean?” Sometimes we affectionately refer to ourselves as the duck-billed platypus of the church world. Think about it, we are a messianic, charismatic formative church in Boise, ID. If the name of our church were not enough, toss around the words Messianic, and it’s enough to get a curious look. But our church’s very name expresses who we are in just a few words. Isaiah 26:8 speaks to our walk as Christians who consciously follow Biblical principles as we blend Christian and Jewish beliefs and practices. This distinctive mixture is known as messianic. We “walk in the way” of God’s laws by meeting on Saturday mornings (called Sabbath) and we celebrate the biblical feasts and festivals. To many Messianic Jews, this sets us apart, because we are Gentiles who walk in Jewish convictions but with no Jewish heritage. To many Christians this makes us different because we walk in the Jewish practices and Mosaic covenants of the Jewish people. Yet, our identity is clear in a broken world: We seek the name of the Lord. Literally in the waiting, we long for and we desire to see the face of Jesus Christ. In remembering who he is, we are reminded of what he has done and who we were made to be. We love Jesus’ church, the Jewish people, and the nation of Israel. That is who we are: A messianic community who build formative communities that extend Jesus’ life into the world. Find out more about our vision here.