Derek Leman, writer and speaker

Sometimes we understand a story best only after we have read to the end. Like a detective story, the Gospel of John has some revelation that waits until 21:24. And when we read a second time, once we understand, there are some connections between Messiah, Passover, Temple sacrifices, and the eyewitness experience of the Beloved Disciple that add new layers of meaning to Yeshua as our Passover.

 

 

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Recorded in the season leading up the Passover, this podcast begins to explain a theme in John's gospel. It's a good theme. It goes deeper, I would imagine, than many people think.

 

 

 

 

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To some people, the idea of Yeshua's divinity was probably something developed late. It must have involved a departure from Jewish thought. It must have been the result of syncretism, mixing pagan notions with the original understanding of Yeshua as a Jewish teacher or as Messiah. But what is the real explanation for the origin the idea of Yeshua's divinity?

 

 

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Book Review: Lois Tverberg's newest book is about Jesus in his Jewish context, or more specifically, how to understand the ethics of Jesus in Jewish context. 

 

 

 

 

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Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany. Eyewitnesses named in the gospels. Many myths surround them. Who were they? What did their faith contribute? What do we owe to these two Mary's for our understanding of Yeshua. We owe them a great deal.

 

 

 

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When you read Matthew or John, are these at best loosely connected to the "real Yeshua," the historical Yeshua? Or do they give evidence of being sourced in eyewitness testimony, a "living and surviving voice"?

The remnant of Israel in Judea in the days of Miriam (Mary) and Elisheva (Elizabeth) is a small, but faithful community. There is expectancy. The “God of my salvation” is about to do something, as Micah had hoped and prayer (Micah 7:7).

Reflecting on Scot McKnight’s The King Jesus Gospel and the new English translation of the gospels (The Delitzsch Hebrew English Version), I reflect on the way Luke’s gentile gospel makes much of the story of Israel as essential to the gospel. Mary’s Psalm is an example of the way the apostles saw Israel’s story and Yeshua’s story connecting.

The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels were just released in late August by Vine of David, an imprint of First Fruits of Zion. DHE stands for Delitzsch Hebrew English, referring the English translation of the Hebrew text of the gospels by 19th century Christian Hebraist Franz Delitzsch.

The DHE is a thoughtfully prepared translation with removes some of the Christian lingo that has accumulated and recasts the gospels in English into the language of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). It is language very appropriate to the narrative of the Jewish Messiah. The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels are a Jewish printing of Yeshua’s story. They are invaluable to modern readers to never let us forget this is a story of a great Jew whose life is of ultimate significance for Israel and the nations. In this podcast, I share a few readings and examples of how the DHE makes this plain to a reader today.

One of Yeshua’s favorite questions for disciples is amusing: “Are you without understanding?”

It’s a good question for all of us who read the gospels and try to apprehend what he is about. Even more so, it is a good question for anyone who dares to emulate Yeshua in the way of a disciple (I don’t mean emulating him in terms of your identity or specific mission).

The kingdom is a mystery (musterion) and has secrets for the inner circle of Yeshua’s disciples. Did they get it? Do we?

Over the whole meditation on Yeshua’s methods and ways, I place this quotation by George MacDonald, “Love has ever in view the absolute loveliness of that which it beholds.” That is a good way to understand Yeshua, love in action.