Rejoice, Christ is Born!

EXTRA!  EXTRA!  EXTRA!

Come away from the stress and anxieties of life, forget self and focus your mind and heart on being still before ADONAI.

These passages surpass all others, for they not only foretell of Yeshua’s birth but also reveal its fulfillment. Yeshua is God’s love-gift to mankind.  God’s sacrificial Lamb foretold was fulfilled with the real gift, God’s ultimate love gift.  A gift so priceless, when received, one is willing to give up self and his ways and receive God and His way - life through His Son, Yeshua Messiah.

 "When Love Was Born"

performed by Mark Schultz

Let us set the stage by looking at the events prior to the birth of Yeshua Messiah.  The Jewish period of independence ended in 63 B.C.  This time also saw the rise of the Roman Empire, which ruled the known world at the time of Yeshua Messiah’s birth.  The world was in the deepest darkness, a cold and penetrating darkness, so extreme that the chosen were doomed without someone to save them.

Adonai commissioned the prophet Yesha’yahu in Yesha’yahu chapter 6.  In chapter 7 verse 14, Adonai begins to unfold His plan for the ages 700 years before it was fulfilled!

Therefore the Lord Adonai Himself will give you people a sign: The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanu El. Yesha’yahu 7:14

                       

“The virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and they will call Him “Immanu El” (God is with us). Mattityahu 1:23

Here is how the birth of Yeshua the Messiah took place. His mother Miryam was engaged to Yosef, but before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).  Mattityahu 1:18

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

performed by Selah

It’s sad to say that if events do not happen in the logical order that man perceives them then – THEY CANNOT BE! Since there are no boundaries for the One, all knowing, all omnipotent and Holy God, the Adonai of all things cannot and will not be put in a box based on what the mind of man perceives.

We have established how Yeshua was conceived and born of the virgin Miryam and how He came to planet earth to show man - God Visible! 


“For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us; dominion will rest on His shoulders, and He will be given the name Pele-Yo’etz El Gibbor Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom {Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace}, In order to extend the dominion and perpetuate the peace of the throne and kingdom of David, to secure it and sustain it through justice and righteousness henceforth and forever.  The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot will accomplish this.”  Yesha’yahu 9:6-7 CJB

From Mal’akhi to Mattityahu, a period of 400 years, there was silence from God and the prophets.  This time brought about the rise and fall of the Grecian Empire, a period of Jewish revolt by the Maccabees, and the rise of the Roman Empire.  The genealogy of Yeshua Messiah is the bridge from the old to the new. Upon the stage of mankind, the revelation of the Lamb of God, foretold by Yesha’yahu the prophet, is personified!

Now let us look at the prophecy fulfilled concerning His place of birth.  “But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y’huda, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra’el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times.” Mikhah 5:2

                       

"O, Little Town of Bethlehem"

This is the account of Yeshua Messiah’s birth in Luke 2:1-20.

“Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire.  This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria.  Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.  So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y’hudah to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant.  While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; and she gave birth to her first child, a Son.  She wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.”

                        

“In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, when an angel of Adonai appeared to them, and the Sh’khinah of Adonai shone around them. They were terrified; but the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, because I am announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord.  Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.’ Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God: 

‘In the highest heaven, glory to God! And on earth, peace among people of good will!’ ”

                                    

“No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that Adonai has told us about.’ Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. Upon seeing this, they made known what they had been told about this child; and all who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them.  Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart.  Meanwhile, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen; it had been just as they had been told.”  Luke 2:1-20

                         

"Mary, Did You Know?"

written and performed by Mark Lowery

The heavens announced His arrival.  The brightness of the star led the way. The angels followed, praising and glorifying God; announcing peace on earth to the people of good will.  The grand entrance was made, but there was no room in the hearts of men. Sorry, I have no room for you in the living-quarters, but there is a stable you can use.

The King had arrived!  He was not dressed in royal robes, but in swaddling cloths. He had no castle, only a stable. He came, as King but became the Savior. What He freely offered was life-saving love freely given to those who chose to follow Him.

"O, Holy Night"

performed by Josh Groban

Then came love - the purest of loves, from the very heart of God; a part of Himself wrapped in swaddling cloths of forgiveness, mercy and grace.  Yeshua came to love, forgive, heal and set the people free!  Freedom!  A word the people had only talked about, but very few had experienced… until a babe, innocent and perfect in every way, stepped down from His throne in heaven to become the Savior and Servant to a lost people.  He came to show each one, first hand, of a love so amazing, so divine, so sincere, but only through knowing Him can it ever be experienced.

How? You say. Realize your sinful condition; repent of your sins; ask Yeshua for forgiveness; by faith believing, ask Yeshua to be your Savior and Lord.

Believe and receive God’s Holy Spirit to live within your very soul.  He is the comforter who gives wisdom and direction for your life. Ones’ heart must be ready to meet the King, the Lord Almighty when He returns to set up His

Kingdom.

Amazing love! There is no greater love than that of Yeshua or His Father God.  No greater gift has ever, or will ever be given. He came to us, created in His image, to save those willing to humble their hearts and accept His everlasting gift.

He Came

"What Child Is This" performed by Michael W. Smith

Chapter 25: Be My Witnesses

“BE MY WITNESSES; GO TELL!” . . . YESHUA

38 So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you might even find yourselves fighting God!" They heeded Gamli’el advice. Acts 5

"Use Me"

performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

This chapter begins with the timeframe of 33AD in Galilee, on a mountain where Yeshua leaves His last “Great Commission” to His eleven disciples.

18 Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples from all nations, immersing them into the name of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age."  Matthew 28

The apostles waited in Jerusalem until the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was given to them by Yeshua’s Father God.  This spectacular event of The Power Within: Chapter 17 describes the third person of the Trinity.  The Mind of Almighty God, the body of Yeshua Messiah and now, the power of the Holy Spirit coming to live within believers!

"I Will Follow"

performed by Chris Tomlin

The prime example of God’s all-powerful Holy Spirit within each believer is shown in these passages given by Peter to the Jewish people.  Yes! The one and the same disciple that denied, not once, but three times that he even knew Yeshua the night before Yeshua was crucified!!

22 "Men of Isra'el! Listen to this! Yeshua from Natzeret was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God performed through Him in your presence. You yourselves know this. 23 This Man was arrested in accordance with God's predetermined plan and foreknowledge; and you, through the help of wicked men,  put Him to death by executing Him on a stake!  24 "But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death; because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. 25 For David says this about Him: 'I saw the Lord ADONAI always before me, for He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. 26 For this reason, my heart was glad; and my tongue rejoiced; and now my body too will live on in the certain hope 27 that you will not abandon me to Sh'ol or let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life, You will fill me with joy by Your presence.' 29 "Brothers, I know I can say to you frankly that the patriarch David died and was buried - his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that one of his descendants would sit on his throne, 31 he was speaking in advance about the resurrection of the Messiah, that it was He who was not abandoned in Sh'ol and whose flesh did not see decay. 32 God raised up this Yeshua to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact! 33 "Moreover, He, Yeshua the Messiah, has been exalted to the right hand of God; has received from the Father what He promised, namely, the Ruach HaKodesh; and has poured out this gift, which you are both seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven. But he says, 35 'ADONAI said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' 36 Therefore, let the whole house of Isra'el know beyond doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Messiah - this Yeshua, whom you executed on a stake!" 37 On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Kefa and the other emissaries, "Brothers, what should we do?" 38 Kefa answered them, "REPENT from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh! 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for those far away - as many as ADONAI our God may call!" 40 He pressed his case with many other arguments and kept pleading with them, "Save yourselves from this perverse generation!" 41 So those who accepted what he said were immersed, and there were added to the group that day about three thousand people. Acts 2

Other accounts recorded of Peter and the apostles included a man crippled from birth, sitting by the temple gate begging for money.

6 Kefa said, "I don't have silver, and I don't have gold, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua of Natzeret, walk!" 7 And taking hold of him by his right hand, Kefa pulled him up. Instantly his feet and ankles became strong; 8 so that he sprang up, stood a moment, and began walking. Then he entered the Temple court with them, walking and leaping and praising God! 9 Everyone saw him walking and praising God. 10 They recognized him as the same man who had formerly sat begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were utterly amazed and confounded at what had happened to him. 11 While he clung to Kefa and Yochanan, all the people came running in astonishment toward them in Shlomo's Colonnade. 12 Seeing this, Kefa addressed the people: "Men of Isra'el! Why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk through some power or godliness of our own? 13 The God of Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Yeshua - the same Yeshua you handed over and disowned before Pilate, even after he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the holy and innocent One, and instead asked for the reprieve of a murderer! 15 You killed the author of life! "But God has raised Him from the dead! Of this we are witnesses. 16 And it is through putting trust in His name that His name has given strength to this man whom you see and know. Yes, it is the trust that comes through Yeshua, which has given him this perfect healing in the presence of you all. Acts 3

1 Kefa and Yochanan were still speaking to the people when the cohanim, the captain in charge of the Temple police, and the Tz'dukim came upon them, 2 greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people the doctrine of resurrection from the dead and offering Yeshua as proof. 3 The Temple police arrested them; and since it was already evening, they put them in jail overnight. 4 However, many of those who heard the message trusted; the number of men alone was about five thousand. Acts 4

The next question asked by the ruling scribes and Pharisees was:

 16 "What can we do with these men?" they asked each other. "Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them - we can't possibly deny that. 17 But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let's warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name." 18 So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua. 19 But Kefa and Yochanan answered, "You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God. 20 As for us, we can't help talking about what we have actually seen and heard." 21 They threatened them some more but finally let them go - they couldn't punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened, 22 since the man who had been miraculously healed was more than forty years old. 23 Upon being released, they went back to their friends and reported what the head cohanim and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with singleness of heart. "Master," they prayed, "You made heaven, earth, the sea and everything in them. 25 By the Ruach HaKodesh, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, you said, 'Why did the nations rage and the peoples devise useless plans? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand; and the rulers assembled together against ADONAI and against his Messiah.' 27 "This has come true in this city, since Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Goyim and the peoples of Isra'el, all assembled against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you made Messiah, 28 to do what your power and plan had already determined beforehand should happen. 29 "So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!" 31 While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God's message with boldness.  Acts 4

The Apostles filled with the Holy Spirit and healed in the name of Yeshua.

12 Meanwhile, through the emissaries many signs and miracles continued to be done among the people. United in mind and purpose, the believers met in Shlomo's Colonnade; 13 and no one else dared to join them. Nevertheless, the people continued to regard them highly; 14 and throngs of believers were added to the Lord, both men and women. 15 They went so far as to bring the sick into the streets and lay them on mattresses and stretchers, so that at least Kefa's shadow might fall on them as he passed by. 16 Crowds also gathered from the towns around Yerushalayim, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed. Acts 5

"Daystar"

performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

The apostles were arrested again:

17 But the cohen hagadol and his associates, who were members of the party of the Tz'dukim, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the emissaries and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, an angel of ADONAI opened the doors of the prison, led them out and said, 20 "Go, stand in the Temple court and keep telling the people all about this new life!" 21 After hearing that, they entered the Temple area about dawn and began to teach. Now the cohen hagadol and his associates came and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin (that is, of Isra'el's whole assembly of elders) and sent to the jail to have them brought. 22 But the officers who went did not find them in the prison. So they returned and reported, 23 "We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one inside!" 24 When the captain of the Temple police and the head cohanim heard these things, they were puzzled and wondered what would happen next. 25 Then someone came and reported to them, "Listen! The men you ordered put in prison are standing in the Temple court, teaching the people!" 26 The captain and his officers went and brought them, but not with force; because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 They conducted them to the Sanhedrin, where the cohen hagadol demanded of them, 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name! Look here! You have filled Yerushalayim with your teaching; moreover, you are determined to make us responsible for this man's death!" 29 Kefa and the other emissaries answered, "We must obey God, not men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Yeshua, whereas you men killed him by having him hanged on a stake.  31 God has exalted this man at His right hand as Ruler and Savior, in order to enable Isra'el to do t'shuvah and have her sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things; so is the Ruach HaKodesh, whom God has given to those who obey him." 33 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death. 34 But one of the members of the Sanhedrin rose to his feet, a Parush named Gamli'el, a teacher of the Torah highly respected by all the people. He ordered the men put outside for a little while 35 and then addressed the court: "Men of Isra'el, take care what you do to these people. 36 Some time ago, there was a rebellion under Todah, who claimed to be somebody special; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, rallied behind him. But upon his being put to death, his whole following was broken up and came to nothing. 37 After this, Y'hudah HaG'lili led another uprising, back at the time of the enrollment for the Roman tax; and he got some people to defect to him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you might even find yourselves fighting God!" They heeded his advice. 40 After summoning the emissaries and flogging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Yeshua, and let them go. 41 The emissaries left the Sanhedrin overjoyed at having been considered worthy of suffering disgrace on account of him. 42 And not for a single day, either in the Temple court or in private homes, did they stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Yeshua is the Messiah. Acts 5

Does this sound like the same Peter that denied Yeshua? Does this sound like the disciples that fled when the soldiers came to arrest Yeshua in the garden of Gethsemane the night before He was crucified? Does this sound like the disciples, together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, after Yeshua had been raised from the dead?

The Apostles witnessed throughout Jerusalem with the gospel that upset the establishment; they were thrown into prison and counted it all for joy that they could witness for their Lord Yeshua.  They rejoiced in their sufferings, beatings and persecutions for Yeshua’s name. Being a witness for Yeshua in the world today is likened to the same persecutions as described by the apostles.  Every believer is a missionary and every unbeliever is a mission field.  The only way to be an effective witness, you must be taught, trained and motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Never, never underestimate the power and work of the Holy Spirit!

You have now read the testimonies and witnesses of the apostles and new believers.
The question is this:

After 2000+ years, was this movement of human origin (it would collapse), or of God (forever eternal)?

Herein lies a great born-again, body of believers - the Church.

"The Way"

performed by Jeremy Camp

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

It is finished!  

The battle of the ages for the souls of men is over!  

The war has been won! Who is the victor? 

This is the third day. 

Have Satan and the forces of darkness and evil succeeded 

or will Yeshua conquer death and Satan’s Hell 

by being resurrected on the third day?

Herein lies the answer. 


The greatest darkness gives way to the brightest light!!

Resurrection Scene

from

The Passion of the Christ, 2004

2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of ADONAI came down from heaven, rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified at him that they trembled and became like dead men. (Matthew 28)

1 When Shabbat was over, Miryam of Magdala, Miryam the mother of Ya`akov, and Shlomit bought spices in order to go and anoint Yeshua. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb. 3 They were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?" 4 Then they looked up and saw that the stone, even though it was huge, had been rolled back already. (Mark 16)

The angel rolled the stone back from the tomb for the benefit of the people looking in, not for letting Yeshua out! Yeshua has no boundaries.

5 The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for Yeshua, who was executed on the stake. 6 He is not here; because He is risen! -- just as He said! Come and look at the place where He lay.

(Matthew 28)

4 The women standing there, not knowing what to think about it, when suddenly two men in dazzlingly bright clothing stood next to them. 5 Terror-stricken, they bowed down with their faces to the ground. The two men said to them, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; He is risen!  Remember how He told you while He was still in the Galil, 7 `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be executed on a stake as a criminal, but on the third day be raised again'?

8 Then they remembered His words.  (Luke 24)

5 On entering the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right; and they were dumbfounded. 6 But he said, "Don't be so surprised! You're looking for Yeshua from Natzeret, who was executed on the stake. He is risen! He is not here! Look at the place where they laid him.

7 But go and tell his talmidim, especially Kefa, that He is going to the Galil ahead of you. You will see him there, just as he told you." 8 Trembling but ecstatic they went out and fled from the tomb, and they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.  

(Mark 16)

9 and, returning from the tomb, they told everything to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 The women who told the emissaries these things were Miryam of Magdala, Yochanah, Miryam the mother of Ya`akov, and the others in their circle. 11 But the emissaries didn't believe them; in fact, they thought that what they said was utter nonsense!  (Luke 24)

    

   

The greatest denial resulted in the greatest truth!

               

"The End of the Beginning"

performed by David Phelps

3 Then Kefa and the other talmid started for the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other talmid outran Kefa and reached the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen burial-sheets lying there but did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Shim`on Kefa arrived, entered the tomb and saw the burial-sheets lying there, 7 also the cloth that had been around his head, lying not with the sheets but in a separate place and still folded up. 8 Then the other talmid, who had arrived at the tomb first, also went in; he saw, and he trusted. 9 (They had not yet come to understand that the Tanakh teaches that the Messiah has to rise from the dead.)  (John 20)

10 So the talmidim returned home, 11 but Miryam stood outside crying. As she cried, she bent down, peered into the tomb, 12 and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Yeshua had been, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 "Why are you crying?" they asked her. "They took my Lord," she said to them, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14 As she said this, she turned around and saw Yeshua standing there, but she didn't know it was he. 15 Yeshua said to her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you're the one who carried him away, just tell me where you put him; and I'll go and get him myself." 16 Yeshua said to her, "Miryam!" Turning, she cried out to him in Hebrew, "Rabbani!" (that is, "Teacher!") 17 "Do not hold on to me," Yeshua said to her, "because I haven't yet gone back to the Father. But go to my brothers, and tell them that I am going back to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 18 Miryam of Magdala went to the talmidim with the news that she had seen the Lord and that He had told her this. (John 20)

The greatest sorrow resulted in the greatest joy!

"Because He Lives!"

performed by The Gaither Vocal Band

13 That same day, two men were going toward a village about seven miles from Yerushalayim called Amma'us, 14 and they were talking with each other about all the things that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed, Yeshua himself came up and walked along with them, 16 but something kept them from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you talking about with each other as you walk along?" They stopped short, their faces downcast; 18 and one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only person staying in Yerushalayim that doesn't know the things that have been going on there the last few days?" 19 "What things?" he asked them. They said to him, "The things about Yeshua from Natzeret. He was a prophet and proved it by the things he did and said before God and all the people. 20 Our head cohanim and our leaders handed him over, so that he could be sentenced to death and executed on a stake as a criminal. 21 And we had hoped that he would be the one to liberate Isra'el! Besides all that, today is the third day since these things happened; 22 and this morning, some of the women astounded us. They were at the tomb early 23 and couldn't find his body, so they came back; but they also reported that they had seen a vision of angels who say he's alive! 24 Some of our friends went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said, but they didn't see him." 25 He said to them, "Foolish people! So unwilling to put your trust in everything the prophets spoke! 26 Didn't the Messiah have to die like this before entering his glory?" 27 Then, starting with Moshe and all the prophets, he explained to them the things that can be found throughout the Tanakh concerning himself. 28 They approached the village where they were going. He made as if he were going on farther; 29 but they held him back, saying, "Stay with us, for it's almost evening, and it's getting dark." So he went in to stay with them. 30 As he was reclining with them at the table, he took the matzah, made the b'rakhah, broke it and handed it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. But he became invisible to them. 32 They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn inside us as he spoke to us on the road, opening up the Tanakh to us?" 33 They got up at once, returned to Yerushalayim and found the Eleven gathered together with their friends, 34 saying, "It's true! The Lord has risen! Shim`on saw him!" 35 Then the two told what had happened on the road and how he had become known to them in the breaking of the matzah.  (Luke 24)

Yeshua took the matzah (bread), broke it, then their eyes were opened spiritually and their hearts burned within them, then they knew and believed in Yeshua, for He is the true Passover Lamb!  As often as you eat the bread and drink the wine; Do in Remembrance of Me.

19 In the evening that same day, the first day of the week, when the talmidim were gathered together behind locked doors out of fear of the Judeans, Yeshua came, stood in the middle and said, "Shalom aleikhem!" 20 Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord. 21 "Shalom aleikhem!" Yeshua repeated. "Just as the Father sent me, I myself am also sending you." 22 Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Ruach HaKodesh! 23 If you forgive someone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held."  (John 20)

24 Now T'oma (the name means "twin"), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Yeshua came. 25 When the other talmidim told him, "We have seen the Lord," he replied, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger into the place where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe it." 26 A week later his talmidim were once more in the room, and this time T'oma was with them. Although the doors were locked, Yeshua came, stood among them and said, "Shalom aleikhem!" 27 Then he said to T'oma, "Put your finger here, look at my hands, take your hand and put it into my side. Don't be lacking in trust, but have trust!" 28 T'oma answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Yeshua said to him, "Have you trusted because you have seen me? How blessed are those who do not see, but trust anyway!"  (John 20)

The world says, “Seeing is believing.” 

Yeshua says, “Believing is seeing!”

Yeshua lived 2000 years ago on planet earth for 33 years, with only 3 years in public ministry.  It all comes down to faith believing through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, which removes the veil of blindness and replaces it with God’s light of truth.

“Better to be (physically) blind and see with the heart than to have two good eyes and (spiritually) see nothing.” Helen Keller

"Worthy is the Lamb"

performed by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

1 After this, Yeshua appeared again to the talmidim at Lake Tiberias. Here is how it happened: 2 Shim`on Kefa and T'oma (his name means "twin") were together with Natan'el from Kanah in the Galil, the sons of Zavdai, and two other talmidim. 3 Shim`on Kefa said, "I'm going fishing." They said to him, "We're coming with you." They went and got into the boat, but that night they didn't catch anything. 4 However, just as day was breaking, Yeshua stood on shore, but the talmidim didn't know it was he. 5 He said to them,

"You don't have any fish, do you?" "No," they answered him. 6 He said to them, "Throw in your net to starboard and you will catch some." So they threw in their net, and there were so many fish in it that they couldn't haul it aboard. 7 The talmid Yeshua loved said to Kefa, "It's the Lord!" On hearing it was the Lord, Shim`on Kefa threw on his coat, because he was stripped for work, and plunged into the lake; 8 but the other talmidim followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; for they weren't far from shore, only about a hundred yards. 9 When they stepped ashore, they saw a fire of burning coals with a fish on it, and some bread. 10 Yeshua said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Shim`on Kefa went up and dragged the net ashore. It was full of fish, 153 of them; but even with so many, the net wasn't torn. 12 Yeshua said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the talmidim dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Yeshua came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Yeshua had appeared to the talmidim after being raised from the dead. 

The apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to go fishing; because of their obedience to Yeshua, they cast the net on the right side and had breakfast with the King! 

15 After breakfast, Yeshua said to Shim`on Kefa, "Shim`on Bar-Yochanan, do you love me more than these?" He replied, "Yes, Lord, you know I'm your friend." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Shim`on BarYochanan, do you love me?" He replied, "Yes, Lord, you know I'm your friend." He said to him, "Shepherd my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Shim`on BarYochanan, are you my friend?" Shim`on was hurt that he questioned him a third time: "Are you my friend?" So he replied, "Lord, you know everything! You know I'm your friend!" Yeshua said to him, "Feed my sheep! 18 Yes, indeed! I tell you, when you were younger, you put on your clothes and went where you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." 19 He said this to indicate the kind of death by which Kefa would bring glory to God. Then Yeshua said to him, "Follow me!" 20 Kefa turned and saw the talmid Yeshua especially loved following behind, the one who had leaned against him at the supper and had asked, "Who is the one who is betraying you?" 21 On seeing him, Kefa said to Yeshua, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Yeshua said to him, "If I want him to stay on until I come, what is it to you? You, follow me!" 23 Therefore the word spread among the brothers that that talmid would not die. However, Yeshua didn't say he wouldn't die, but simply, "If I want him to stay on until I come, what is it to you?" 24 This one is the talmid who is testifying about these things and who has recorded them. And we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things Yeshua did; and if they were all to be recorded, I don't think the whole world could contain the books that would have to be written!  (John 21)

The Hebrew meaning for the word love is: “I give.”  No one has or will ever give more than Yeshua.  His message of giving to the world was one of freedom from sin and redemption for eternity.  Yeshua’s message of truth and salvation is now the responsibility of His apostles to spread the good news of the gospel message to the entire world.  They cannot accomplish this mission themselves, but only with the leadership of God’s Holy Spirit will it be accomplished!

The #1 question is:  Do you love Me?  Do you love Me more than these (whomever or whatever is more important to you than your mission, the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20.)  With God all things are possible! Amen and Amen!

3 For among the first things I passed on to you was what I also received, namely this: the Messiah died for our sins, in accordance with what the Tanakh says; 4 and He was buried; and He was raised on the third day, in accordance with what the Tanakh says; 5 and He was seen by Kefa, then by the Twelve; 6 and afterwards He was seen by more than five hundred brothers at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Later He was seen by Ya'akov, then by all the emissaries; (1 Corinthians 15)

1 Dear Theophilos: In the first book, I (Luke) wrote about everything Yeshua set out to do and teach, 2 until the day when, after giving instructions through the Ruach HaKodesh to the emissaries whom he had chosen, he was taken up into heaven. 3 After his death he showed himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. During a period of forty days they saw him, and he spoke with them about the Kingdom of God. 4 At one of these gatherings, he instructed them not to leave Yerushalayim but to wait for

"what the Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For Yochanan used to immerse people in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh!" 6 When they were together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore self-rule to Isra'el?" 7 He answered, "You don't need to know the dates or the times; the Father has kept these under his own authority.  (Acts 1)

16 So the eleven talmidim went to the hill in the Galil where Yeshua had told them to go. 17 When they saw Him, they prostrated themselves before Him; but some hesitated. 18 Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age." (Matthew 28)

The apostles were to baptize in the name of the Trinity: the Father God, the Son Yeshua Messiah Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They were to go make disciples, baptize and teach God’s Holy Word.  This mission has continued down through the centuries and it is now our responsibility to tell those who do not know Yeshua as personal Savior and Lord.  Yeshua paid the price for you and I.  The least we can do is witness of His love and forgiveness to others.

9 After saying this, He was taken up before their eyes; and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were staring into the sky after him, suddenly they saw two men dressed in white standing next to them. 11 The men said, "You Galileans! Why are you standing, staring into space? This Yeshua, who has been taken away from you into heaven, will come back to you in just the same way as you saw him go into heaven."(Acts 1)

The greatest tragedy resulted in the greatest hope!

Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah

by George Frederick Handel
performed by Choir of King's College, Cambridge

30 In the presence of the talmidim Yeshua performed many other miracles that have not been recorded in this book. 31 But these, which have been recorded, are here so that you may trust that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by this trust you may have life because of who He is.

(John 20)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him might be saved.  (John 3:16-17)

50 Let me say this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot share in the Kingdom of God, nor can something that decays share in what does not decay. 51 Look, I will tell you a secret - not all of us will die! But we will all be changed! 52 It will take but a moment, the blink of an eye, at the final shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed. 53 For this material, which can decay, must be clothed with imperishability, this, which is mortal, must be clothed with immortality. 54 When what decays puts on imperishability and what is mortal puts on immortality, then this passage in the Tanakh will be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 "Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin; and sin draws its power from the Torah; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah! (1 Corinthians 15)

The greatest resurrection resulted in the greatest Victory!!

The war has been won! The Victor is Yeshua Messiah!!

"Alpha and Omega"

Performed by The Gaither Vocal Band