Limitless, Part 8, Healed (cont.)
March 27, 2022Today's message was the 8th in a series called Limitless and given by Pastor Lavon Coles. A video of the message can be found here.
Since we won't be meeting this week as we're all scattered to the winds, I thought I'd include a link to this week's Conversation Starters provided by the church. Many of Lavon's scripture references are printed there (which is easier than trying to catch them while listening). Also, there are some thought-provoking questions and things to ponder on the issue of Church Hurt. If any ring a chord with you, we can talk about them at our April 5th gathering.
Lavon pointed out that the Greek for "It is finished" is tetelestai, meaning "paid in full." The Greek word tetelestai can mean many things, see this article.
While the New Testament was first recorded in Greek, Jesus himself probably spoke Hebrew or Aramaic. The Hebrew word for "it is finished" is nishlam. Nishlam also means "paid in full" (like tetelestai). Digging deeper, we see that the Hebrew root for nishlam is the same root for shalom which does mean peace as it's often translated but also carries a sense of wholeness or being made whole. Sozo!
The Torah would absolutely agree with Lavon in suggesting that humans are flawed. We can't expect individuals to behave well, nor their institutions. Hurt can come from any direction in the world of humans. The whole point of the Torah is to guide people, and the civilizations and institutions they create, into being good. It doesn't always work out.
Lavon mentioned John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." It struck me that this is similar to Moses arguing with God about destroying the Israelites, "what would Egypt think?" (Numbers 14:13). The notion of what others think, how they're treated, how others perceive of your faith, are important.
Last thought for today... Lavon mentioned that Jesus knows how much church hurts. He mentioned specifically the point where Judas kissed Jesus and the disciples flee. They were afraid. The phrase most often spoke by God in the Torah is "do not fear." God also says to fear Him. How does that align? Because, if you fear God (not so much scared but rather "in awe of His justice") you will not fear man, including other churchgoers.
Bonus Fun Fact(s)
The family recently reminded us of a fun movie about a dysfunctional family having a Passover Seder. It's called When Do We Eat and is a pretty funny little romp through a crazy Seder experience. The Torah, as you know, is replete with dysfunctional families. Here's a chance to have a little fun, don't take it too seriously, and pick up on a few Seder and Jewish tidbits. Another little kick... one of the producers is a company called "Pictures from the Fringe" with a background image of the fringes/tassles on Jewish clothing, called tzitzit (pronounced tzeetzeet). These fringes are there to be a constant reminder to follow God's instructions.
The Seder is written totally in the first person for the participants. "We" were brought out of Egypt, "we" were slaves, etc.; not "they" were brought out. This is so we identify personally with the event and what was done for us. Gratitutde!
The point of the Seder ritual is to remember history and be grateful. Without your history, you aren't anything. Who would you be without your memories, your history. You certainly wouldn't be "you." As for gratitude... it's one of man's pinnacle attributes that is necessary for happiness.
It's interesting to note given today's message that the phrase "it is finished" was used by the High Priests of Israel during the sacrifice of the Pascal Lamb at Passover.