Daily Word: Yeshua's First Message

Note: Today, we are beginning an extended study on the actual teachings of Yeshua or Yahushua in the New Testament. We are going to start in the Book of Mark. The translation will be the Aramaic English Testament. We are going to emphasize what He taught versus what was taught about Him later. Be prepared for a paradigm shift.

The first words spoken by Yeshua in the Book of Mark are found in chapter 1 verse 15: And he said, "The time is complete and the Kingdom of Elohim has arrived. Repent and believe the Good News." The word "Elohim" means "Mighty One." The arrival of the Kingdom and the concept of repentance were intertwined. The word "repent" comes from the Hebrew word shoov. It means to destroy the house and leave nothing behind. The word comes from the word for to be taken captive. Repentance always involves a changing of kingdoms, i.e. where you reside. Yeshua is telling His audience that if they are going to be a part of the arriving Kingdom, they are going to have to destroy their present life and embrace the new Kingdom. Elohim's Kingdom means the active working of His influence in the lives of its members. If you want to be a part of this Kingdom, you have to destroy the old one. The word "repent" in the Greek text is in the present tense imperative mood. This means that it is a command to repeated or continuous action. Yeshua is not asking you to repeat a prayer and be saved. He is calling you to a life of repentance.

Notice that this is Yeshua's first message. he doesn't come promising health or prosperity. There is no doctrinal statement about Himself that He requires adherence to; instead, He comes with a message of destruction. Your old life must be destroyed in order to receive Elohim's Kingdom. Consider what is promoted today as the message of the Messiah. "Come, let me introduce you to my friend." "Jesus wants to take all your hurts and pains and give you a real purpose for living." While the preceding may be true, the point is that is not what Yeshua taught first. He taught repentance.

Today, ask yourself, "Have I destroyed the old way of living?" "Have I left it all behind for the Kingdom of Elohim?" Yeshua is still calling people to repent. It was His first message in Mark. Have you heard it?