Truly Living Like Messiah
By Gregory John Wilson
We hear that we are supposed to be "Christ-like" but there are key elements of His life and ministry that we have forgotten about. He lived a perfect life – it was completely fulfilling, but that meant trials and opposition too. Yes, He did good to masses of people, yet He also confronted and railed against the evils of his day, of the religious leaders.
I would like to propose that while we "get" the "doing good" and "loving people" part of the Messiah-life, we have forgotten the less popular aspects of His ministry – speaking truth and blasting the evils of his day – this is part of living a fulfilling life, too.
Concerning speaking truth, many times He said hard things to accept – truth is not always appetizing. When starting his ministry, he declared "the Spirit of YHWH is upon me" and they marveled, yet He did not stop there and revel in the glory. He went on to say things that nearly got Him killed – He predicted they would say "physician heal yourself!" which basically happened at the stake (instead of cross) – people saying he saved others, let him save Himself! He also said they would ask for miracles, yet Yeshua recounts instances from the Tanakh in which only certain people were healed, or helped, and others weren't, just as presumably the people of Nazareth would not see many miracles because of their unbelief. This led to the people trying to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:16-30).
Another time, Yeshua said the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are they that ever find it – not exactly popular.
He wasn't afraid to speak strongly against evils of His day – the pharisees' hypocrisy and pride (Matt 23) and He sort of violently drove out the moneychangers from the temple – Elohim's house, which should be for prayer, not business.
Am I saying we should do all these same offensive things? Perhaps in the right context. We certainly shouldn't be afraid to speak out against evil.
Again, to live a most fulfilling life, it seems it involves not only doing good to the people around us, but also fighting evil.
Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your Elohim. Micah 6:8
Another time, Yeshua confronted the people's motives – seeking Him for physical food, not for spiritual truth their souls needed. (John 6:26-27).
Yet again, Yeshua spoke about an event that happened – a tower falling on people and killing them – were they worse sinners? No, but if you don't repent, you will likewise perish.
So, if we are truly to be like Messiah – though perhaps there are some aspects of who He is that we will never and should never be like – Elohim in flesh – anyway, if we are to be like Him though, I think we should also possess authority in speaking out against evil, etc.. And also in doing good to others.
May you hear His word for what He wants you to do, and DO IT! (It's those that DO His will that will enter the kingdom).
Shalom
-Greg
shepherdsembraceministries@gmail.com