Messiah in Life

James 3 moves from faith expressed in action (Jas. 2) to faith revealed in speech and wisdom. In Jewish thought, speech is never neutral; words possess creative and destructive power. James confronts the community with a sobering truth: spiritual maturity is demonstrated not only by what one does, but by what one says, and by the kind of wisdom that shapes both.

James challenges us: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (2:14). James does not question the value of faith; he questions a faith that remains merely verbal. His concern is not theological correctness, but covenant authenticity. Give a listen. 

James 2 moves from the internal formation of faith to its public and communal expression. If James 1 establishes that genuine faith must be lived, James 2 presses the issue further: lived faith must be just. Here, James confronts favoritism, economic corruption, and a distorted understanding of belief divorced from obedience. The chapter stands as one of the clearest expressions of covenant ethics in the New Testament, firmly rooted in Torah, prophetic tradition, and the teachings of Jesus.

James 1:19–27 forms a tightly integrated ethical unit that moves from posture, to discipline, to submission. Together, these verses describe the inner formation required for genuine obedience to God’s Word. James is not offering isolated moral advice; he is shaping a biblical ethic, a way of life that prepares the heart to receive divine truth and live it faithfully. Give a listen. 

In this study we consider how James presents an ethic of faithful endurance, moral responsibility, humility, and obedience, grounded in the unchanging goodness of God and expressed in daily life under pressure, James 1:12-18.

James opens his letter with an unusual call: “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds” (Jas. 1:2). His call to joy in suffering is not sentimental optimism, but faithful realism. Let's take a closer look! 

The Epistle of James stands among the most direct, uncompromising, and Jewishly grounded writings of the New Testament. It confronts the reader not with abstract theology, but with lived faith, faith tested by suffering and trial, expressed through obedience, and made visible in righteous conduct. To understand this epistle correctly, one must first understand its author, his historical reputation, his martyrdom, and the volatile religious and social world in which he wrote. This study is an introduction to the epistle, James 1:1. 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 13:17-25, how and why the original audience drifted away, and what the author suggests is the remedy for this drift in faith: go back. Not to what they once knew, but to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, and those who have led by example. 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 13:9-16, and how the author masterfully connect his audience back to the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. Give a listen!

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 13:1-8, the author uses a shorthand of Leviticus 18 - 20, the heart of the Torah to give a final ethical exhortation on: φιλαδελφία (brotherly love), hospitality, those in prison, marriage, sexual purity, greed, contentment, God’s promises, and the unchanging nature of Messiah. Give a listen!

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 12:18-29, the Lord will once again shake the earth, why? There are times in life when life itself can shake us, but what of that which is eternal? Give a listen. 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 12:12-17 a strong warning and a common issue in human life: bitterness. What does the author say about this, and how do we interpret it in faith and healing in Messiah? Give a listen!

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 12:1-11, the author begins to bring the argument of this letter to a conclusion, by focusing on Messiah Yeshua/Jesus. If we are enduring correction, if we are enduing trial, what does the author say of us? This is such an important point for all faithful in Messiah to take hold of, and the author helps to cement this important point in our hearts. 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 11:32-40, using the examples of great but flawed people of faith, the author encourages us to continue on to what the Lord has prepared, but not yet given, as Paul writes, "Things no eye has seen and no ear has heard, that have not entered the heart of mankind - these things God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9). 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 11:23-31, what do Moses and Rahab have in common? Or Rahab and the children of Israel? Two simple words: "By faith." We consider how the Lord worked by faith in the lives of Moses' parents, Moses, the children of Israel, and a prostitute named Rahab.  I apologize for the slight mic noise. 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 11:17-22, how did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph lean into a future promise of hope? 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 11:8-16, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sarah all died in faith, still holding onto “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." How does this speak to us today?

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 11:1-7, and the anaphora of "by faith." Why does the author continue to use this device? It seems he is making a powerful point that we can often overlook. If it is impossible to please the Lord without faith, how might those in faith please Him? Give a listen! 

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 10:36, 39; 11:1-3, as the author turns our attention to those who have lived "by faith." From the beginning of this epistle, the author has persuaded his audience as to the superiority of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, now he points us to those who have lived "by faith," and to Whom they were "faith-ing." Be encouraged friends, we have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us!

Hebrews: A Jewish Epistle in Contemporary Times, A Great Cloud of Witnesses Speaking The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus who are considering turning back, to what? To the angels, to the Temple, to Moses, to Aaron, to the sacrifices, to their past. In a powerful and profound way, the author is speaking not only to the hearts of Jewish disciples who are wavering under the pressure of following Yeshua, but also to people today who are wavering in faith.  In this episode we consider Hebrews 10:32-39, in the narrowing way of following Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, we can and should expect trials. These circumstances can cause our endurance to wane, but we must continue to look to the founder and perfecter of our faith, Messiah.