Daily Manna June 17th

Mitzvot – Prayer Part 2 – Father

[Read MT 6:1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 14, 15, 18, 26]

These early days of Jesus teaching His followers and other seekers was an amazing revelation to them of their Adonai, blessed is His name forever [traditional Jewish way of showing highest respect for His name]. After all, He was the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that was them! But Messiah was presenting Him, as they had NEVER heard before. His teaching was an introduction of a personal, family relationship with their G-d–possible and availableto them, apart from any religious trappings. He used the faulty worship all around them to guide them to the pure and simple ways to approach Elohim their Creator.

We noted yesterday that few words, private words and sincere words from the heart were preferred. But to whom would they be talking? Your Father [7x’s]…our Father [once]…Father in heaven…your heavenly Father [twice]. Wow! In five minutes of speaking to them, He had used the term Father for G-d more than all of the prophets together in Tenach!

Interwoven into the Father references were Truths about G-d that they needed to know and remember, many of which were either not taught or under emphasized by the rabbis.

• He’s an all-knowing God, who sees in secret…knows the things you have need of before you ask Him..
• He’s a just G-d who rewards righteousness. He will Himself reward you openly. The rabbi who wrote Hebrews taught the same as Jesus. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever comes to G-d must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. [11:6]
  • He’s holu.  Jesus calls Him Father in heaven…holy is your name…heavenly Father.
  • He’s a king with a kingdom. [See tomorrow’s DM.]

  Imagine how amazing it would be for an abandoned child/orphan/fatherless child to find out who their father was, what he was like, and that they could be introduced and have a loving relationship! Well, that’s what Jesus was doing that day.

  On the other hand, imagine how that would enrage someone who desired to keep the abandoned child/orphan/fatherless one fearful, under his control, and dependent on him. That’s what abusers do, and the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees were certainly that! Now we can understand why Jesus later said, Do not call anyone on Earth your father [as they wanted and sometimes demanded], for one is your Father, He who is in Heaven. [MT 23:9]. He was referring to worship and spiritual authority.

  Have you forgotten, or maybe didn’t know, that G-d is all-knowing, a just and rewarding Judge, who is a holy king? I am, I do not change.

  Selah…Shalom…