ISSUE: #15

MEM

Message

As I was recently reading the Gospel according to Luke, I took notice of his abrupt ending. In Luke 24:1 The women came to the tomb, on the first day of the week. In verse 13, Yeshua (Jesus) is walking with two disciples on the way to Emmaus on the same day. In verse 33 on the same day these disciples returned to Jerusalem. (It has been estimated a 7-12 mile journey).

Probably that night (The beginning of the 2^nd day of the week), Yeshua stood in their midst, showing himself alive to the gathered disciples (verses 36-49). Starting in Luke 24:50, it says, Yeshua led the disciples to Bethany (two miles from Jerusalem), blessed them and ascended to heaven.

If we only had the book of Luke, we might assume it was a seamless transition from the resurrection - to His appearances to the gathered disciples - to His ascension from Bethany.

However let us go the account of the Acts of the apostles as recorded by the same author Luke. Acts 1:3 We see Yeshua presented Himself to them for 40 days then ascended from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12).

Also in John 21, we read how Peter was back fishing on the Sea of Galilee when Yeshua appeared to him. We may conclude by putting scriptures together that Yeshua appeared to the disciples several times during the 40 days after His resurrection. He was instructing them about the coming Kingdom of YHVH (Acts 1:3).

So did The Messiah ascend more than once? Did He stay with the disciples for the whole 40 days? In John 20:17, "Don’t cling to me," Jesus said, "for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father…." Yet later that day He invites His disciples to examine Him (John 20:19-20) and eight days later when Thomas was with them Yeshua tells Thomas to put his hand into the wound in His side. (John 20:26-27). Yeshua ascended to his Father and then allowed the disciples to touch him after this.

It appears scripture supports Yeshua ascending more than once. I find three times are evident. He appeared from time to time during the 40 days. He was not with them constantly. Peter said "I am going fishing…" (John 21:1-4). Yeshua was not with them at that time. Where was Yeshua when he was not with the disciples?

It is interesting for me to contemplate what happened after the resurrection of our Savior. Regardless, remember John 20:31. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life.

Proverb

Proverbs 2:2-5

So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

Saying

Bible Quiz

1. The Jews asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes to whom? Luke 20:22
2. Which prophet announced the downfall of Babylon after Judah had been overthrown by the Chaldeans? Habakkuk 1:6
3. To what country did Joseph escape with Mary and the baby Jesus? Matthews 2:13-14
4. What happened to Saul of Tarsus near Damascus? Acts 9:3-9
5. What physical punishment was given to Zedekiah when Jerusalem was destroyed? II Kings 25:1,7
6. Who interpreted a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar?
7. Who said, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well"? Luke 17:19

A Father’s Instructions for Life
H. Jackson Brown, JR.

• Keep secrets
• Don’t waste time learning the "tricks of the trade." Instead, learn the trade.
• Admit your mistakes.
• Choose a charity in your community and support it generously with your time and money.
• Use credit cards only for convenience, never for credit.
• Give yourself a year and read the Bible cover to cover.
• Never cheat.

Hebraic Lesson

The Counting of the Omer

The period called "the omer" begins the day following the (weekly) Sabbath after Passover and continues until Pentecost. Seven weeks were to be counted from the time of the offering of the omer (the wave sheaf of first fruits), which was always on the first day of the week. Lev. 23:15-17, 21 "You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath." The period between Passover and Pentecost came to be known as the omer.

In the year of Messiah’s crucifixion, he died on Passover, which must have fallen on the 4^th day of the week (Wednesday). He was buried just before sundown beginning the first day of Unleavened Bread because they wanted him taken off the cross before the High day. Three days and three nights later he arose. If he was in the grave just before sundown he must have been resurrected just before sundown three days later. This would have been just before the beginning of the first day of the week, which begins at sundown Saturday night. When the women came to the tomb the morning of the first day of the week our Messiah was already risen.

This year the Passover fell on April 5, 2004, a Monday, (beginning Sunday night). The Feast of First Fruits fell on April 11, (a Sunday), the day after the weekly Sabbath. The counting of the omer began on April 11, and will continue to the fiftieth day, Pentecost (Sunday, May 30^th).

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming. (I Cor. 15:20-23) The waving of the sheaf of the first fruits of the harvest was to be accepted before the priest on the same day that our Savior became the first fruit and was accepted by the Father.

Did you know:

Just a week before he was assassinated Lincoln had a dream that he discussed with several people. It seemed that he was walking through the silent White House toward the sound of sobbing. When he entered the East Room, he was confronted by the sight of a catafalque (a temporary structure representing a tomb) covered in black. He asked the guard on duty there, "Who is dead?" "The president," said the soldier.

(Taken from the Little Brown Book of Anecdotes)

Humor

Actual Newspaper Headlines

1. Stolen Painting Found by Tree
2. Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
3. Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms
4. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
5. Safety Experts say School Bus Passengers Should be Belted
6. Farmer Bill Dies in House
7. Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
8. If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, it May Last a While
9. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

Quote
Stephen R. Covey

"We fear things that we need not fear. We draw boundaries around areas of our life and decide that we can’t go past them. And as long as we believe these false paradigms, we’ll stay within their artificial boundaries and lose whatever experiences we might have found outside them."

Children’s Story

Chapter twelve: Staking out a New Campsite

Jeremiah, along with the other leaders of the western tribes, began to stake out the location of each clan with access to water and wood. Everything had to be in order when their tribe arrived. Long sapling trees were cut and placed in critical formations; colored streamers with crests were tied to the stakes so each clan could easily find their camping area. Stepping off the area and marking it well, Jeremiah headed toward the wooded hilltop to check on availability of wood for fires in the camp.

After noting an area with several dead trees and small brush, he headed out to look for grazing areas for the animals. It took some time to find a large area where the hills formed a natural corral with easy access from the east end. This would be ideal for all the flocks and herds of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Jeremiah noted the most direct route back to camp, writing down the notable landmarks. When he arrived back at the camping area, the southern tribes were already setting up camp. The cloud was changing back to a fiery pillar at the campsite, visible to the still traveling tribes. Jeremiah discussed the dry wood area and the grazing area with the other clan leaders. Some had already left to go back to their families and their charge.

Soon, by the light of YHVH, the advance crews and many soldiers were arriving to clear the area of rocks and brush to make it easier for the arriving tribes. Many young men from the eastern tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, having already secured their campsites, also came to help clear the way for the others. The advance scouts had already determined where the debris was to be deposited and where sentries were to be posted. The beehive of activity continued throughout the night. There was such precision that they seemed to function as one body.

Holy One of Israel, we are blessed to be your people. Thank You for the co-operation I see before my eyes. Truly You are preparing us to function as Your people, to follow Your leadership when we come to the land You have promised our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Blessed be YHVH.

Quiz Answers

1. Caesar
2. Habakkuk
3. Egypt
4. A light from heaven flashed around him, and Yeshua (Jesus) spoke to him.
5. His eyes were put out.
6. Daniel - Daniel 2:27-29
7. Yeshua (Jesus)