June 2023 CMNZ/PFI Newsletter

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The Feast of Weeks

By Zohar Gonen

The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost or Shavuot, is a significant holiday in Judaism that celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This holiday is observed seven weeks after Passover, and it lasts for two days. The traditions and practices of Shavuot are rich in symbolism and meaning:
One of the central practices of Shavuot is the reading of the Ten Commandments and other biblical passages that relate to the giving of the Torah. This is typically done in the synagogue, and it is considered a great honour to be called up to read from the Torah during this time. 

Many Jewish communities also hold all-night Torah study sessions known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, it is also customary to wear white and to eat white foods (dairy), such as cheesecake and blintzes, these customs symbolizing the consecration of the Jewish nation at the foot of Mt. Sinai, getting cleansed and ready to receive the Torah. Another important tradition of Shavuot is the decoration of the synagogue and home with flowers and greenery. This is meant to symbolize the abundance of the harvest season and the joy of receiving the Torah.

One of the most significant symbols of Shavuot however is the two sheaves of wheat that are offered as a sacrifice in the Temple – the priest holds those sheaves each one in each hand separated at first, but he joins those together by lifting them up into the middle. These sheaves represent the Jews and Gentiles, and they are brought together through their shared faith in God and in Yeshua the Messiah of Israel. In our day and age, it is customary to lift two Challah breads one in each hand and join them together as a commemoration of what the priest used to do in the Temple.

The symbolism of the two sheaves of wheat (or the two breads) on Shavuot is a powerful reminder of the unity between Jews and Gentiles can only be possible through faith in Yeshua. The Apostle Paul speaks extensively about this unity in his letters. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, “For He has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). This barrier refers to the division between Jews and Gentiles that existed under the Mosaic Covenant. We can even observe that in the first century, according to the NT, the relationship between Jews and Gentiles was often marked by hostility and suspicion. However, through faith in Yeshua, this division has been overcome, and Jews (as Jews) and Gentiles (as Gentiles) can now come together in unity and love. How sad it is therefore that in some congregations the wall of separation has been put up again. 

In some cases, the Gentiles are looked down upon, and the overall feeling in those congregations is that Jews are better than Gentiles, it is no wonder therefore that in that environment you will find many Gentiles that want to become Jews and they proceed to put themselves under the Law.

The other extreme is also true, there are many churches who would despise Jewish people and will look down upon a Jewish person who wishes to maintain his identity as a Jewish man, by way of maintaining certain Jewish traditions and Jewish culture.

In some wonderful fellowships however, this unity is not just a theoretical concept but is something that is lived out in the everyday lives of believers in Yeshua, who love and respect the other person from another background, be it a Jewish or a Gentile individual. 

A Fond Farewell to Nicki Smith

Nicki Smith

By Michael Thomas, CMNZ Director 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.  ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Please join me in wishing a very fond farewell to Nicki Smith.  Nicki has been the manager of the Punakaiki Beach House for the last two years, and she will be sorely missed.  Her easy-going manner, her optimistic outlook on life, but more importantly her solid faith in the LORD has made her an amazing ministry partner, friend, and manager at Punakaiki nearly since the facility opened.

 

Although many have had the chance to get to know her, unfortunately many have not.  Nicki came to faith in Jesus when she was nineteen years old, but her faith journey goes all the way back to early childhood.  Although she didn’t really know what it meant to be a follower of Jesus, from six years old she already had a strong awareness of God’s presence and talking to God was somewhat natural to her.  At nineteen years old, she was challenged to dedicate her life more fully to God as she made the decision to surrender her life to him. 

 

After university, Nicki decided to look for an opportunity to learn more about God, and friends introduced her to Youth With A Mission (YWAM).  She took a leap of faith to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) focussing on reaching out to backpackers. Although she had previously never considered the life of a backpacker herself, she stepped into this new world with enthusiasm to see how the LORD would use her.  She had the opportunity to enter into friendships with young backpackers from around the globe as she served in India, Nepal, Thailand and New Zealand. Following a desire to know God and make Him known, Nicki eventually took on the role of leading YWAM DTS groups where she helped disciple students and introduce them to backpacker evangelism.

 

While serving at YWAM Oxford she met Scott Brown from Celebrate Messiah. In 2015, Nicki combined what she already knew about backpacker evangelism and launched into the ministry of hosting Israelis at her home in Kaikoura, where she served with YWAM for another five and a half years.  

 

In March of 2021, after Celebrate Messiah purchased Punakaiki Beach Hostel, Scott Brown (our previous director) contacted Nicki and asked her to join the team.  Although Nicki had not been a part of Celebrate Messiah up until that point, she was already very aware and working in parallel with the ministry. She was hosting Israelis, sharing the Gospel, and directing Israeli travellers to the Zula, where she also went and served in a short-term capacity. So, when Scott asked Nicki to join our team permanently, she said “Yes!” 

 

So, for the last two years Nicki has seen the very ministry that she loved and was already committed to blossom even further as she envisioned and executed the ministry which is now in full swing at Punakaiki. Anyone who observed her at the Hostel could see how much she loved it as she used her love for God and her love for backpackers to introduce One to the other.

 

In August and September of 2022, Nicki returned to the U.S. to visit friends and spend time with her family.  She had a great time visiting, but immediately sensed that although she had had a wonderful time serving the LORD and meeting people from around the world, the LORD was calling her to go home to be near her family.  Nicki admitted to feeling a bit shocked when she sensed this new calling, for she wasn’t at all unhappy with the life she had made in New Zealand or the work she was engaged in.  Yet, even amidst the slight sorrow about the prospect of leaving, the LORD showed her that going back to her community, connecting closely again with her parents and sisters was just as important to Him as serving Him here. 

 

Although we will deeply miss Nicki here in New Zealand, we are as sure as she is that she’s sensing His presence and following His voice!  

 

Nicki, may the LORD’s countenance continue to shine upon you as you faithfully serve Him. 

Messiah: Prophet, Priest & King [Part 2 The Prophet Like Moses]

By Nigel Christensen

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—(Deu 18:15 ESV)
In Part one we looked at Jesus as the Messiah, who uniquely holds all three anointed offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. However, although divinely appointed
to these offices, from a human perspective he functions in these offices sequentially, not simultaneously. During His ministry years Jesus functioned in the office of Prophet. During the night of the Passover, He transitioned from the office of Prophet to the office of Priest, and currently functions as our great High Priest in heaven. Jesus has yet to function in His third office of King; which He will do from the time of His Second Coming. In this article we are going to focus on Jesus functioning in the office of Prophet.

The Prophet like Moses – OT Prophecy & NT Fulfillment: And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:17-19 ESV). Moses is described as unique among the prophets of the OT as he received his revelations from God face to face (Num 12:6-8, Exo 33:11a). This means that the prophet like Moses would also receive revelation from God face to face.

This was certainly true of Jesus (John 1:18, Matt 11:27) who clearly saw himself as a prophet (Mark 6:4). That Jesus is the prophet like Moses is confirmed by Peter in Acts 3:22-23 who quotes from Duet 18 connecting it to Jesus’ ministry and message (see also Acts 7:37,51-52). Also, it is clearly seen in the events of the transfiguration. Where Jesus, became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.…He was still speaking when behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:2b-3, 5 ESV).

Note the presence of Moses, but the clear statement of the Father that they were now to listen to the Son. Exactly as prophesied by Moses. Jesus functioned as a
prophet like unto Moses during his ministry years up until the night of the Passover, when he instituted the New Covenant, enabling him to operate in the office of Priest which we will discuss in part 3.

Blessings of the Role: And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show
his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:6-7 ESV)

A key blessing that the prophetic office is that it enables us to know that the scriptures are divine revelation, and so are trustworthy and true. We can look back on the prophecies of the Hebrew scriptures concerning the Messiah, alongside Jesus own prophecies concerning manner of his death and resurrection and the temples destruction. Seeing how they were fulfilled so literally, we can trust in God and his word. Secondly, we are blessed when keep the words of the prophecies, knowing that if God so accurately and literally fulfilled the prophecies concerning Messiah’s 1st coming, then we can have certain hope he will do the same for his 2nd coming. This enables us to keep the words of the prophecies in our hearts and minds, encouraging us in dark times. Although Jesus ended his own prophetic role when he ascended into heaven. This prophetic work was carried on through the Holy Spirit inspiring the apostles who produced the NT and completed the written revelation of the scriptures. There is no Prophetic source to come that will supersede Jesus and the NT, as He is the heir of all things (Heb 1:1-12) All scripture and its prophecies are sufficient to make us thoroughly equipped. (2 Tim 3:17).

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). (John 1:41 ESV) 

In the New Testament the word Messiah (Mashiach in Hebrew) is translated to mean Christ, (Christos in Greek), so these terms can be used interchangeably. Messiah means anointed and refers to the concept of someone being anointed with oil for service in a particular role.

There are three offices in the OT for which someone was anointed, Prophet (1 King 19:16), Priest (Ex 28:41) and King (1 Sam 15:17). Some men held two offices but
only Messiah would hold all three.

Messiah would be Unique: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up
the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour… (Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV)

Jesus applies this prophecy of Isaiah to himself and the program of his 1st coming (Luke 4:16-21). Note three persons are involved with this anointing. The Lord who is anointing the Messiah with the Spirit of the Lord God. Rather than a symbolic anointing by a human representative using oil. The Messiah would uniquely be
anointed directly by God with the Holy Spirit. We see this fulfilled visually at Jesus Baptism. Where the Father, the one anointing, anoints the Son with the Holy Spirit. Peter refers to this…after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…. (Act 10:37b-38a ESV)

Zaphnath-Paaneah, the Saviour of Israel

By Des Rubie

The book of beginnings, Genesis, is the basis for much valuable teaching and contains stories that help us to communicate the gospel with Israelis. The gospel of Yeshua is foretold in the Genesis story of Joseph. Just as Joseph’s brothers rejected him (Gen 37:8), so the Jewish leaders of Yeshua’s day would reject Him. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11). Joseph was sold as a slave, Yeshua was sold for 30 shekels, the price of a slave. (Ex 21:32, Matt 26:15). Although rejected by their Jewish brothers, both were accepted and greatly honoured among Gentiles under non-Hebrew names. Joseph’s brothers sought to kill him, yet he was raised up in Egypt. Yeshua was put to death by His Jewish brothers, yet raised to life eternal.

Joseph eventually became second only to Pharoah through his ability to interpret dreams, the very thing that got him offside with his brothers. And, in the process of time there was a severe famine in the land. Joseph’s brothers eventually became aware that Joseph was the only one who could meet their physical need of grain for bread. So also, Yeshua would be the only one who could provide for His brother’s spiritual need as the Bread of Life. Just as Joseph’s brothers would eventually come and plead to him because they heard that there was “grain in Egypt.”, so Zechariah 12:10 states that the Jewish people will one day plead
for mercy when they look upon Him whom they have pierced. Just as Gen 50:20 states: what they meant for evil, God meant for good.

As believers we have, and are able to offer our Israeli guests the Bread of Life and eternal life through the good news.

Today there remains a famine in Israel of hearing the good news that Yeshua is the Messiah. It is very difficult to purchase a HaBrit Hadishah (New Covenant Scriptures) or hear the gospel. However, when Israelis come to New Zealand and stay with hosts they hear the good news. Before Joseph revealed himself to his brothers he first invited them home for a meal. He also gave them a place to sleep, two essentials for hosting.

Why did they not recognise their brother? Why should they? He spoke in a foreign language, he was clean shaven, and Pharaoh had changed his name, Zaphnath-Paaneah, what a mouthful. Similarly, the beautiful name Yeshua (“salvation” in Hebrew) was anglicized from the Greek (Iesous) to Jesus, a name that Israelis are unfamiliar with.

However, the Joseph who stood before his brothers was their Saviour, as ruler of all Egypt he had the right to bless them abundantly. In supplying them with grain he literally was their salvation.

In the same way that Joseph’s brothers were all different from one another, so there is no set formula to present the good news to Israelis. But if possible, start with stories they are familiar with and go from there. Most Israelis are more or less familiar with Bereshit (Genesis), the book of beginnings, because it is taught in school, so it is a gold mine of opportunities to supply grain for the famine. Genesis 22, the story of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son, is known in Hebrew as the ‘akedah’ (the enigma). Why would God require Abraham to offer his son, his only son, as a sacrifice? Even asking Israelis about this story is a provocative way of opening up a conversation that will eventually lead to the good news that God Himself would take His son, His only son and offer Him as a
sacrifice for the people of Israel and the whole world. (Gen 22:2/John 3:16)

PFI Prayer Focus

Prayer group

By Michael Thomas, PFI Director

Pray for the salvation for the people of Israel

  • Pray for openness to the Gospel and for situations that lead to that openness

Pray for Israel-related ministries

  • Pray for boldness, provision, and fruit for ministries that aim to bless Israel

Pray for issues in the land of Israel

  • Pray for the concerns of Israel’s government, the people in the land, and among the Jewish people worldwide.

Pray for pastors and churches in New Zealand

  • Pray that NZ pastors and churches would obtain a clear understanding of Israel's role in God's redemptive purposes, and be bold in standing for Israel in these days of increased anti-Semitism.

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