Worthy Brief - 4/15/2019
Friend, behold the passover lamb!
Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
As thousands of believers around the world celebrated Palm Sunday, I thought I'd offer some additional historical insight into the day Yeshua (Jesus) entered Jerusalem. Most people associate Palm Sunday with the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”. But there is another significant detail associated with this beautiful fulfillment...
...it is that Yeshua entered Jerusalem on precisely the same day that the Jews would have been choosing their Passover lambs in preparation for the Pesach (Passover) Seder a few days later. Unbeknownst to them, the Lord had chosen their “Passover Lamb” who would deliver them, and the entire world from their sins [John 1:29].
As Yeshua entered into Jerusalem, the people cried "Hosanna, Son of David– which means, “Save Now, Son of David!”- quoting the cry of the psalmist for the salvation of YHVH to come to Israel; [Psalm 118:25-26]. This psalm was associated with the coming of Messiah, and the title, "Son of David" was a common reference to Him, the one who would bring YHVH's salvation. It also contains the words, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!" So many of the people knew who He was, yet...
...this same Psalm also contains an amazing prediction: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!” [Psalm 118:22]. Right there, in the same scripture, only a few verses apart, the astounding irony of Yeshua's first advent is perfectly expressed. Received and hailed as Israel's Messiah, He was shortly to be scorned, rejected and crucified.
Friend, this is a week to remember the humility of Yeshua, the most humble King who ever lived or died. Our love for Him grows deeper as we reflect on this gentle Shepherd's submission, even though He was and is a King. His rejection was our acceptance. His death was our life. May we receive the grace to follow His example and so reveal His glory.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: Check out our new Facebook page for answering readers questions about news, politics, religion, Israel, and ministry.
YouTube Channel: New Video - Analysis of the 2019 Israel Elections
Who were the winners and the losers in the 2019 Israeli elections? How will the next government of Israel be formed in light of the results? And how will this impact Donald Trump's peace plan?
Trade agreement ahead? Treasury's Mnuchin says China talks near 'final round'
The nearly yearlong trade war between the U.S. and China that raised the prices on billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods may be nearing an end.
The Removal of Fuel From Fukushima Reactors Begins, Eight Years After the Disaster
The operator of the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant has begun removing fuel from a cooling pool at one of three reactors that melted down in the 2011 disaster, a milestone in the decades-long process to decommission the plant.
France’s 'Yellow Vest' Protesters Take to the Streets for the 22nd Straight Weekend
France’s Yellow Vest protesters took to the streets for a 22nd straight Saturday, leading to clashes with police in the southwestern city of Toulouse, while the capital remained calm.
Trump, Kim tease third North Korea summit
President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday that a third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 'would be good,' writing glowingly of his relationship with the despot and adding that he anticipates the day the repressive state becomes 'one of the most successful nations' on Earth.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump peace plan likely won’t include Palestinian state — report
US President Donald Trump’s peace plan will include considerable economic incentives for Palestinians, but will likely stop short of full statehood, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
Israel’s national security adviser to meet with Bolton for Iran talks
National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat will meet with his US counterpart John Bolton on Monday in Washington to discuss Iran and 'other destabilizing actors.'
Pompeo says PM’s West Bank sovereignty vow won’t hurt Trump peace plan
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said he did not believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s talk of extending Israeli sovereignty to West Bank settlements would hurt the Trump administration’s long-gestating peace plan.
Iranian forces said killed in reported Israel airstrike on Syria missile factory
A number of Iranian forces were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a Syrian military position near the city of Masyaf in western Hama province overnight Friday-Saturday. Syrian state media said Israeli jets carried out the raid in the middle of the night, firing missiles while flying in Lebanese airspace.
One-third of Americans don't believe 6 million Jews murdered
Almost one-third of American adults believe that significantly less that 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, according to a recent survey conducted ahead of Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).
Inside the United States
Trump, Pelosi agree to huddle on bipartisan infrastructure package
In a political climate thick with gridlock, there might be some compromise in the near future.
White House Looking at Sending Undocumented Migrants to Sanctuary Cities
The White House on Sunday, echoing President Donald Trump, said sending undocumented migrants to sanctuary U.S. cities that have protected them from deportation remains a possibility even though government agencies have said it would be impractical and there is no money allocated to do it.
Trump White House braces for full Mueller report
While most of official Washington is on edge ahead of the expected release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report, Trump White House aides are shrugging off the fevered anticipation with a simple message: been there, done that.
Report: Every American Taxpayer Would Owe Almost $700,000 to Pay Down Worsening U.S. Debt
The federal government’s overall financial condition worsened by $4.5 trillion in 2018, according to an analysis from government financial watchdog Truth In Accounting (TIA).
Almost 100 Abortion Clinic Workers Seek to Leave Industry After Seeing Pro-Life Movie ‘Unplanned’
Chuck Konzelman, director of the Pure Flix movie 'Unplanned,' revealed to Congress this week that nearly 100 abortion clinic workers have sought to leave their jobs after seeing the pro-life film.
Christian News
Evangelical group says 3 US volunteers detained in Laos
A U.S.-based Christian evangelical organization says three of its American volunteers have been detained in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos.
Iraqi American Christians ask Vice President Mike Pence to block deportation of Iraqis
Chaldeans and elected officials in metro Detroit are asking the U.S. government to block the deportations of up to 1,000 Iraqi nationals.
Church Elder Killed in Shooting at Canadian Church
A church elder was shot and killed at the Salmon Arm Church of Christ located in Salmon Arm, British Columbia Sunday morning by a man he knew, one who has mental health problems.