Revelations 3-5 Treasure nuggets from the Gospel of Matthew

In continuing my series of revelations posts, here are some more from the first few chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. One observation I do have to make and confess is, though I have read these gospels so many times, every time I read them, I can’t help falling in love with the Lord Jesus more and more. I want to say, as we look upon His Glorious face, it seems like nothing else matters. Like Mary, we can be in awe, wonder, love, and be at His feet and keep asking for more.

Revelation#3: From the Gospel of Matthew: John the Baptist is railing on the Pharisees when they come to see him baptizing common poor people. He calls them a brood of vipers, but interestingly in Hebrew and Aramaic, the word used is ‘akidneh,’ which means a scorpion. A scorpion, after mating, and the female scorpion dies after giving birth, so literally every scorpion born is an orphan. The wordplay is interesting indeed as John uses that word in the Aramaic local tongue of that time as he compares the Pharisees to vipers. To literally convey that, though they were descendants of Abraham, they were not following his ways but born and left as spiritual orphans. But if they only returned to their true Father, God, they would no longer be orphans.

Revelation#4: The Sermon on the Mount is the unveiling of Christ’s new constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven and the invasion of it on earth as well. It begins by giving His followers a far superior way of living than the Ten Commandments dictated by Him to Moses. What I love about Yeshua is that He gives us more than laws; He gives us promises and also the power to fulfill all that He asks of us. Our part: yielding, following, and abiding! Blessings & Shalom.

Revelation #5: The Greek word Ekklesia is used or known commonly among Christians (and the church in general) as ecclesiastically or related to liturgy or a legislative body or assembly of the church. However, I find it fascinating that in ancient Greek culture, it’s also a word used primarily to mean “assemble an army.” The Church of Christ is indeed an army of kings and priests, marching and rejoicing in the ever-advancing Kingdom of God! The good news is Yeshua is in the front 🙂 as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Adonai Tzav’ot (The Lord of hosts and commander of Angelic armies)! Shabbat thoughts for Holy Sabbath, blessings, and Shalom!