What Is the Good News of Yeshua? (Part 15)
The God of Israel requires blood for sin because “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (17:11) and “the wages of the sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Inasmuch as sin, disobedience, and violation of God’s commands incur a deathly deficit, the God of Atonement has assessed that that debt can only be paid with life. This is why “it is the blood which makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). Yet in order for sinners to be saved from paying with their own lives, the merciful, covenantal Creator provided a remedy whereby the blood from a sinless life could be accepted as payment for another’s sins. And since, among mere men, “there is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10), God allowed for the substitution of blameless, spiritless animals to be that surrogate life. But because of the nature of those “same sacrifices that they continually offer” (Hebrews 10:1), such work could only ever serve as a reminder (Hebrews 10:3) that the problem of sin cannot be solved… not as long as the mediator—who has sin of his own—must use “the blood of others” to make atonement (Hebrews 9:25). For no matter how many innocent animals are slaughtered, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” forever (Hebrews 10:4). And yet, this is not even the biggest problem where it comes to sin… Read more
Messianics Are Missing the Point of Chanukah
VideosMany Jewish and Gentile Messianics are drawn to Chanukah in large part because of how they see Chanukah fulfilled in Yeshua. But what if injecting Jesus into a Jewish holiday isn’t the point? What if the real point of Chanukah isn’t about miracles, latkes and lights, but something far more powerful and fundamental to our faith? In this episode, Kevin explains how knowing the real story of Chanukah will effect not just how you celebrate it, but how you walk with Yeshua in your everyday life.
God of Redemption, Pt. 2
Messianic Jewish TheologyWhat Is the Good News of Yeshua? (Part 18)
Rejected by both His people and their king, God nevertheless remained faithful to His covenant and to His plan of reconciliation and salvation for the world. Despite the people’s treasonous intentions in demanding a king, God would redeem their evil plea by establishing a king in Israel with a heart both for righteousness and for Him. From the sons of a lowly shepherd, Adonai would choose His true champion. To correct the people’s mistake in King Saul, the God of Redemption would restore Israel’s kingdom in David. Read more
5 Great Features of the MJLT Messianic Bible Translation
VideosThe Messianic Literal Translation of the New Covenant Scriptures (MJLT NCS) is not just an important Messianic Bible translation that restores its Jewishness. It’s also an objectively excellent, reliable version that uniquely presents and preserves the word of God. In this episode, Kevin picks his five favorite features of the MJLT and explains how they each contribute to making it such a solid Bible version, setting it apart from all other versions of the Bible.
God of Redemption, Pt. 1
Messianic Jewish TheologyWhat Is the Good News of Yeshua? (Part 17)
Following the death of Moses, it would be his successor Joshua who would finally bring Israel into the land. With the tablets of the testimony before them, the people set off on their divinely appointed campaign to conquer and resettle their ancestral home. Through obedience to God, miraculously falling walls (Joshua 6:12ff), physics-defying celestial events (10:12f) and five years of fighting, the land promised to Israel’s fathers was theirs… mostly. God had dispossessed the previous occupants because of their wickedness, giving the land to His covenantal people (Deuteronomy 9:4-6, cf. Leviticus 18:3ff). And Israel served Adonai for all of Joshua’s days, and for all the days of the elders who outlived him… Read more
What Judaism Gets Wrong About Rosh Hashanah
VideosRosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year, the Feast of Trumpets. It’s the second-biggest holiday in Judaism, kicking off the high holy day season. Yet sadly, the beautiful and profound traditions of Rosh Hashanah are not found in the Bible. In today’s episode, Kevin takes a Scriptural look at this important day to explain what Judaism gets wrong, the true meaning of the appointed time, and how the traditions have influenced the theology of Messianic believers.
Judaism’s Misconceptions About Rosh Hashanah
JudaismRosh Hashanah begins Judaism’s high holy day season, when synagogues are packed full to hear the blowing of the shofar, and the people begin the ten-day period of repentance and judgment in the hopes of ensuring their inscription in the book of life for one more year. And yet, not one part of that sentence can be supported with Scripture. Sadly, the beautiful and profound traditions of Rosh Hashanah—which Messianics have relied upon for their theology and practice—are no more than the inventions of man. Here are just four of the misconceptions that Judaism has about Rosh Hashanah. Read more
Why I’m NOT a “Christian”
VideosBoth Jews and Christians agree: a Jew who believes in Jesus (Yeshua) is now a Christian. So what reason could there possibly be for a Jewish follower of Yeshua not to want to be called a “Christian?” Is he just being disingenuous? Maybe he’s denying his faith. In this episode, Kevin explains both from the Scriptures and his personal experience, how Jews can legitimately believe in and give their lives to Yeshua, yet also retain their biblically Jewish identity—and why the whole world depends on it.
God of Faithfulness
Messianic Jewish TheologyWhat Is the Good News of Yeshua? (Part 16)
Faulty, frail, imperfect Israel had long been waiting at the foot of God’s mountain. There, He brought Heaven to earth in preparation for the journey—and the purpose—of their lives. Through the giving of the commands, the construction of the Tent, and the creation of the priesthood, God introduced His people to the means for the remediation of sin. Not only would it form the foundation for their forgiveness, but the bloody basis for the atonement and reconciliation of the world. Read more
What Do Messianic Jewish Leaders Believe?
VideosWould it concern you to know that your pastor or rabbi or congregational leader holds heretical beliefs? Well, a few of them actually admitted to Kevin that they did in the 2020 Messianic Leaders Survey he conducted through MJMI. In this episode, Kevin explains some of responses and trends in theological beliefs among Messianic congregational leaders, and how they reveal both good and bad news for the American Messianic Jewish Movement.
God of Atonement, Pt. 3
Messianic Jewish TheologyWhat Is the Good News of Yeshua? (Part 15)
The God of Israel requires blood for sin because “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (17:11) and “the wages of the sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Inasmuch as sin, disobedience, and violation of God’s commands incur a deathly deficit, the God of Atonement has assessed that that debt can only be paid with life. This is why “it is the blood which makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). Yet in order for sinners to be saved from paying with their own lives, the merciful, covenantal Creator provided a remedy whereby the blood from a sinless life could be accepted as payment for another’s sins. And since, among mere men, “there is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10), God allowed for the substitution of blameless, spiritless animals to be that surrogate life. But because of the nature of those “same sacrifices that they continually offer” (Hebrews 10:1), such work could only ever serve as a reminder (Hebrews 10:3) that the problem of sin cannot be solved… not as long as the mediator—who has sin of his own—must use “the blood of others” to make atonement (Hebrews 9:25). For no matter how many innocent animals are slaughtered, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” forever (Hebrews 10:4). And yet, this is not even the biggest problem where it comes to sin… Read more