Category Archives: Grace / Forgiveness

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Grace / Forgiveness, Merciful, Repenting from Sin

Neither Do I Condemn You—Go and Sin No More (John 8:1-11)

Leave a comment

Mercy without repentance is not the message of Christ; He calls us to both grace and change.

Key Verse:
“Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.’” —John 8:11 (NASB)

Background Context:
In John 8:1–11, Yeshua (Jesus) is teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees bring before Him a woman caught in adultery. Their motive is not justice but entrapment. They seek to put Jesus in a position where He will either deny the Law of Moses or contradict His reputation for mercy. What unfolds instead is a masterful, righteous display of both truth and grace.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 8:1-11

The Adulterous Woman

      1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,4they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]

Reflection on John 8:1–11:
This account is not about excusing sin, nor is it about ignoring the Law. Yeshua did not deny the woman’s guilt, nor did He rebuke the accusers for identifying her sin. What He did confront was their hypocrisy and hardness of heart. They had no concern for justice or repentance—only for using this woman’s shame as bait in their trap.

What did Yeshua write in the dirt? We are not told. But His words rang louder than any writing: “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers left, convicted of their own guilt.

Then, in a powerful moment of compassion and clarity, Yeshua turns to the woman and says, “I do not condemn you, either.” But He does not stop there. He adds the command: “Go. From now on sin no more.”

Yeshua extended mercy, but He also called her to repentance. That’s the full picture of grace—not permission to stay in sin, but the loving offer of forgiveness that invites transformation.

Application:
Are you clinging to God’s grace while excusing ongoing sin in your life? Yeshua offers forgiveness, but He also commands us to change.
Take time today to reflect on areas of your life where repentance is needed. Confess your sins before Him. Receive His mercy. And go—live differently, by His power and for His glory.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the mercy You show me daily. Help me not to take that grace for granted but to respond with sincere repentance. Search my heart and reveal where I need to turn from sin. Teach me to walk in obedience and reflect Your holiness. May my life bear witness to the truth that Your forgiveness is not permission to continue in sin but an invitation to be made new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

False Prophets / Teachers, Grace / Forgiveness, Holy / Set Apart

Refined by Fire, Cleansed by Grace (Zechariah 13)

Sometimes, the path to purity runs through fire. But YHWH uses it not to destroy, but to refine—so that we can truly be His people.

Key Verse:
“They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” —Zechariah 13:9 (NASB)

Background Context:
Zechariah 13 follows the promises of restoration in chapter 12 with a vision of cleansing, purification, and judgment. It begins with a fountain opened for sin and impurity, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Yeshua, the pierced one spoken of in the previous chapter. The chapter also speaks of removing idolatry and false prophets from the land and culminates in a prophecy of refining the remnant of God’s people—two-thirds will be cut off, but the third that remains will be brought through the fire and refined like silver and gold.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Zechariah 13

False Prophets Ashamed

      1“In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity.

      2“It will come about in that day,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. 3“And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD’; and his father and mother who gave birth to him will pierce him through when he prophesies. 4“Also it will come about in that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive; 5but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a tiller of the ground, for a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’ 6“And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will say, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’

      7“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,
And against the man, My Associate,”
Declares the LORD of hosts.
“Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered;
And I will turn My hand against the little ones.

      8“It will come about in all the land,”
Declares the LORD,
“That two parts in it will be cut off and perish;
But the third will be left in it.

      9“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

Reflection on Zechariah 13:
The imagery of a fountain opened “for sin and for impurity” is a powerful symbol of cleansing that points forward to Messiah. Yeshua’s sacrifice offers that living water that cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Through Him, we are not just forgiven—we are made new.

God promises to remove the idols and lies from the land. This is not only about statues or false prophets from history. It’s about the idols and deceptions we entertain today—our pride, our self-reliance, our love of the world’s approval. He calls us to a radical purification where even the desire to prophesy falsely or pretend to be something we’re not is stripped away.

But perhaps the most sobering and encouraging part comes at the end of the chapter. A third is brought through the fire—not to be destroyed, but to be refined. Just as silver must be heated to remove its impurities, so God uses trials to shape us into vessels of honor. And what’s the result? A relationship. We call Him our God, and He calls us His people.

It’s not an easy road, but it’s the road to holiness. He refines us because He loves us. He wants to purify a people who belong fully to Him—no idols, no lies, no halfway obedience.

Application:
What idols or falsehoods are you still clinging to? Ask the Lord to open your eyes and to give you the courage to let them go. Don’t resist the refining fire—welcome it. God is not trying to harm you. He is making you holy.

Are you willing to be part of the faithful remnant who truly belong to Him? Then trust the process. Stay near the fountain of cleansing. Submit to the refining. Call on His name.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for opening a fountain of grace through Yeshua, our Messiah. Cleanse me from all impurity and lead me in Your truth. Refine me, even if it hurts, because I want to be wholly Yours. May I be counted among those who say, “The Lord is my God.” Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Consequences of Sin, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Traditions / Holidays

The Ultimate Act of Love: Reflections on Memorial Day

As we recognize Memorial Day, it is a good time to reflect on and appreciate those who have laid down their lives for the rest of us to be able to live free in the United States of America. It is a good time to pray for those who are actively serving, have served, or are surviving family of those who have died in service to our country. God gave us this unique nation based on Judeo-Christian values and heritage. Many have served and died protecting it.

Yeshua demonstrated and taught that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. He laid down His life for all those who choose to follow Him and submit to Him. We can be thankful for sure that our sins can be forgiven because of Him. We could never pay that debt.

Yeshua also encouraged His disciples to show this kind of love for one another as well… to lay down their life for one another. So, too, are we encouraged to lay down our lives for one another. At times, we may face a situation where we literally must make that choice in an instant. Other times we lay down our lives by how we live for others rather than living for ourselves.

As we read, we should not overlook that Yeshua said that “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” This is clearly important, but a different context in our relationship with Him vs. relationships with each other that we may consider friends. We should obey Yeshua to be His “friend”. We do not need to obey each other to be friends.

John 15:12-17

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17“This I command you, that you love one another.

Take time to pray for those who risk their lives or lose them for others. Pray also for their families. Of course, not everyone in uniform is righteous or acts with righteous motives, but many have sacrificed none the less to protect our country and our freedom. Pray also for the leadership in our government so that they would lead well and not recklessly. Further, pray for the people of our nation that they would hold in high regard those that serve to protect our nation and risk their lives to do so.

Take time to also pause and reflect on our Savior, Yeshua, who laid down his life for us so we could be forgiven and reconciled with the Father. Give thanks to him. Do not let that offer be wasted. Rather, submit to him, turn from your sin, and seek him. Let him be Lord of your life. You will find greater joy and peace in this world and after.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You that You sent Yeshua to lay down His life for me, so that I could be forgiven and reconciled to You. Thank You for the people that have sacrificed personally to protect and build up our nation as a free nation built on individual liberty and not dominated by tyrants or a ruling class that controls the people. Please help protect and maintain that nation based on Your principles and ideals from those who would change it for something else, like socialism or simply giving up more and more individual freedom to government control. Please raise up the righteous and bring restoration to the land that we would be a light for the world to bring You glory. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Humility, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

Mercy in the Midst of Anguish (Psalm 6)

Even in our darkest moments, when pain overwhelms and tears won’t stop, God hears—and He responds with mercy.

Key Verse:
“The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord receives my prayer.” —Psalm 6:9 (NASB)

Background Context:
Psalm 6 is a heartfelt cry from David during a time of physical and emotional suffering. Often referred to as one of the penitential psalms, this passage reveals deep sorrow over sin, a longing for God’s mercy, and an unwavering hope in God’s responsiveness. David does not pretend to be strong or self-sufficient; instead, he openly pleads for grace and healing, modeling the honest prayer life we’re invited into.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 6

1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
    Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart.
    How long, O Lord, until you restore me?

4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me.
    Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you.
    Who can praise you from the grave?[b]

6 I am worn out from sobbing.
    All night I flood my bed with weeping,
    drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief;
    my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

8 Go away, all you who do evil,
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame.

Reflection on Psalm 6:
David begins this psalm by begging God not to rebuke him in anger or discipline him in wrath. He feels weak, worn down, and deeply troubled—not just physically, but spiritually. His bones tremble, and his soul is dismayed. And yet, he doesn’t run from God—he runs to Him.

This posture of humility and desperation reminds us that it’s okay to bring raw emotion before the Lord. David doesn’t mask his pain with formality. He weeps, he groans, and he floods his bed with tears. In doing so, he teaches us that prayer isn’t about polish—it’s about presence. God wants to meet us in our honesty.

David asks, “How long, O Lord?”—a question that echoes in the hearts of many who suffer. But in the same psalm, David pivots from despair to declaration: “The Lord has heard my supplication.” His confidence isn’t in his own righteousness but in God’s mercy.

This assurance should stir hope in us. God hears. God sees. And God acts—though not always in our timing or in the way we expect. Like David, we can cry out in pain while still declaring the truth of God’s compassion and faithfulness.

Application:
Don’t wait until you “have it all together” to talk to God. He already sees your heart. Bring your grief, your pain, your sin, and your weariness to Him in prayer. Trust that He hears you. Let your tears be part of your worship, and allow His mercy to meet you in your brokenness.

Closing Prayer:
Father, there are times when I am weary and overwhelmed, but I know You hear me. Thank You for being a God who receives my prayer and does not turn away from my pain. Have mercy on me. Heal me. Strengthen me. And help me to rest in the hope that You are near, even when I feel far. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Share the Good News, Teachable

Living Water for a Thirsty Soul (John 4:1-30)

What if the very thing you’ve been searching for is standing right in front of you?

Key Verse:
“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” —John 4:14 (NASB)

Background Context:
John 4 opens with Jesus traveling through Samaria—an unusual choice for a Jewish teacher, as Jews and Samaritans traditionally avoided each other. Tired from the journey, Yeshua stops at a well and initiates a conversation with a Samaritan woman who comes alone to draw water, a detail suggesting social rejection. He asks her for a drink, then quickly shifts the conversation from physical thirst to spiritual need.

Jesus offers her “living water,” a gift that satisfies deeper than any physical source. She doesn’t understand at first, so He lovingly reveals her hidden sin and brokenness—not to condemn, but to awaken her need for Him. He speaks of worship not bound by place but in spirit and truth. The woman, amazed, runs to tell others about the man who “told me all the things that I have done.” She came for water but left with salvation.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 4:1-30

Jesus Goes to Galilee

      1Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4And He had to pass through Samaria. 5So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

The Woman of Samaria

      7There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.9Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12“You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” 13Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

      15The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” 16He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 17The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” 19The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20“Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 26Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

      27At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her?” 28So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, 29“Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” 30They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.

Reflection on John 4:1–30:
This passage reveals Yeshua’s heart to meet us where we are, even in our brokenness. He crossed cultural, gender, and moral boundaries to speak truth and extend grace. He didn’t wait for the woman to clean up her life—He offered living water right there at the well.

Each of us has our own “well”—places we return to seeking purpose, identity, or healing, but never quite finding satisfaction. The Messiah calls us to stop striving and come to Him. His living water quenches the deepest thirsts of our soul.

Notice also the woman’s response: she left her water jar behind. The thing that brought her to the well no longer mattered once she met Yeshua. She was so transformed that she immediately began to share the good news, inviting others to come and see.

Application:
Are you still drawing from dry wells—relationships, achievements, distractions—that can’t satisfy? Yeshua offers you living water today. Will you receive it?

Take time to reflect on areas where you are spiritually thirsty. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal what you may need to leave behind—like the woman’s water jar—to follow Yeshua fully. And like her, don’t keep the good news to yourself. Go and tell others what He’s done for you.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Yeshua, thank You for meeting me in my brokenness and offering living water. I confess the ways I’ve looked elsewhere for what only You can provide. Fill me with Your Spirit and satisfy my soul. Help me to worship You in spirit and truth, and to boldly share with others what You’ve done in my life. In Your name I pray, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Hope, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Traditions / Holidays

Resurrection and First Fruits

When we devote time to prayer and study of YHWH’s word and ask him to show us the full depth of his word, the Spirit often does just that. We must be willing to let go of traditions of men that we have learned and seek out the traditions of YHWH. I have previously written about my transition away from celebrating Easter in the tradition of the church and culture of today, which includes a number of pagan influences, towards celebrating Passover, which aligns with reinforcing our relationship with YHWH as he previously instructed his people to celebrate. To state the obvious, Yeshua celebrated Passover and I will follow Him.

Without getting into full study here, I do not take this to mean that we perform animal sacrifices (Hebrews 10), but rather seek to celebrate or memorialize Passover by remembering how YHWH led his people out of slavery in Egypt by his might and power. Now, we also have more reason to celebrate Passover as Yeshua was sacrificed during Passover as our Passover lamb, setting us free from slavery to sin and death. We have much reason to celebrate indeed!

As we look to his resurrection, study indicates that it actually took place during the Biblical celebration of first fruits. Once again, YHWH shows that he will use his holy appointed days to reinforce and amplify the meaning of his relationship with his people.

I have included a brief article from Ligonier Ministries about First Fruits and resurrection below.

“You shall eat neither bread nor grain parched or fresh until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statue forever throughout your generations” (v. 14). – Leviticus 23:9–22

Passover was not the only spring festival celebrated under the covenant, for the Israelites also commemorated the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. The Feast of Firstfruits actually took place during the week-long Passover celebration (Lev. 23:4–8), on the first day after the Sabbath that occurred in the midst of the week (vv. 9–11). Pentecost occurred fifty days after that Sabbath (vv. 15–16) and marked the culmination of what started at the Feast of Firstfruits.

As its name indicates, the Feast of Firstfruits marked thanksgiving to God for the firstfruits of the harvest — in this case, the grain and cereal harvested in the spring in ancient Palestine. At this festival, the Israelites offered the very first sheaf of the harvest and were not allowed to eat anything from the crop until they gave its initial portion to the Lord (vv. 9–14). This required a great deal of faith on the part of the Israelites, as they would be giving the offering of firstfruits at a time when not much was ready to be harvested. They had to trust God that He would indeed provide the fullness of grain that had yet to come forth, something that from a human perspective was far from certain given the people’s utter dependence on the right amount of rainfall and so forth to give the best crop.

Somewhere around AD 30, the firstfruits of an even greater harvest issued forth, for it was on the first day after the Sabbath that occurred in the midst of the Passover celebration that Jesus rose from the dead (Matt. 28:1–10). Lest there be any doubt that His resurrection fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits, Paul tells us explicitly that Christ is the firstfruits of those who will be raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20–23). Just as the firstfruits offered to God under the old covenant anticipated the fuller harvest to come, the resurrection of Jesus anticipates the bodily resurrection of His people first promised under the old covenant (Job 19:25–27).

Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits was the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost (from the Greek term pentekostos, or fiftieth), which was the grand celebration at the end of the grain harvest. On this occasion, the offerings of food and animals to the Lord were more lavish (Lev. 23:15–22), an appropriate way to thank Him for the tremendous bounty He had provided. Tomorrow we will look at Pentecost in more detail.

Coram Deo

Paul says Jesus was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25), and so we often celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as proof that our sins have been fully atoned for and that we are now declared righteous in God’s sight. This is entirely appropriate, but we should also remember that our Lord’s resurrection is proof positive that we who trust in Him will be raised in like manner at the last day and dwell with Him bodily in a new heaven and earth.

Passages for Further Study

Numbers 28:26–31
Proverbs 3:9–10
Acts 2:1–4
2 Thessalonians 2:13

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to the wonderful ways of Your law and instruction. Help me to fully experience Your ways in celebrating and honoring You. Thank You that You provide for Your people. Thank You for raising up Christ as first fruits of the promised resurrection. Thank You for the hope this brings to those of us who believe, even when times may be difficult. There are none like You. You are truly worthy of praise and honor.

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Protector / Deliverer, Submitted / Servant, Traditions / Holidays

Passover and Our Path to Salvation Through Yeshua (Jesus)

As we draw near to the season of Passover and Unleavened Bread, we’re reminded of the profound significance these celebrations hold in our journey of faith. They’re not merely historical observances but pivotal events that invite us to reflect on the sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus) for our sins and the remarkable gift of salvation available to us through Him. This season provides a unique lens through which to view the message of the cross—a message that is both beautifully simple for a child to grasp and infinitely rich for scholars to explore.

The Gospel according to John and the teachings of Paul provide foundational insights into the nature of belief and the essence of the gospel message. John 3:16-21 eloquently expresses God’s immense love for humanity, a love so great that it led to the ultimate sacrifice—sending His only Son to save us, not to condemn us but to offer eternal life through belief in Him.

However, understanding “belief” in its biblical context requires more than acknowledging Yeshua’s existence or His role in history. True belief necessitates a submission to Yeshua as Lord, evidenced by a life increasingly reflective of His character and teachings. It’s a belief that transforms, impacting not just our thoughts but our actions and priorities (James 2:14-20).

Sin, our inherent separation from God, demands a price we’re unable to pay. Yet, through God’s grace and mercy, Yeshua paid that price on our behalf. He lived a sinless life, took on our sins, and overcame death, offering us a path to reconciliation with God. Acknowledging this gift involves repentance—a genuine turning away from sin—and embracing Yeshua as the Lord of our lives (Romans 3:23, Matthew 5:21-48).

The call to salvation is a call to transformation. It’s not merely about attending church or identifying as a Christian but about a deep, personal submission to God. This journey begins with accepting Yeshua’s lordship, continues with living out our faith through our actions, and requires us to share this truth with the world (Matthew 5:21-48).

For those ready to take this step, to move from acknowledging Yeshua academically to surrendering to Him heart and soul, consider this prayer:

Heavenly Father, in the name of Yeshua, I confess my sins and seek Your forgiveness. I believe Yeshua died for me and rose again, and I accept Him as my Lord and Savior. Guide me to turn from my sinful ways and to live in a manner that honors You. Help me to boldly declare my faith and to find fellowship with those who genuinely seek You. Thank you for the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. Amen.

This decision marks the beginning of a lifelong journey—a journey of growing closer to God, understanding His Word, and living out His teachings. It’s a path marked by learning, love, and an unwavering commitment to follow Yeshua.

As we observe Passover, let’s embrace the full depth of its connection to the message of the cross. Let’s allow it to deepen our understanding of God’s love, Yeshua’s sacrifice, and the transformative power of embracing salvation through faith in Him.

For those seeking to explore this path further, we invite you to take the next step by exploring our teachings on Celebrating God’s Holy Days (Moedim). Let this Passover be a time of reflection, renewal, and rejoicing in the salvation Yeshua offers.

May this season inspire us all to reflect deeply on our response to Yeshua’s call and to live out the true meaning of belief in every aspect of our lives.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Protector / Deliverer, Salvation, Spiritual Warfare

Clothed in Righteousness—The Cleansing of the High Priest (Zechariah 3)

How can we stand before a holy God when we are covered in sin?

Zechariah 3 presents a powerful vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the Lord, clothed in filthy garments, with Satan accusing him. Yet, instead of condemnation, God provides mercy—removing Joshua’s filthy garments and clothing him in pure vestments. This moment foreshadows the cleansing and righteousness we receive through Yeshua, our Messiah.

Key Verse:
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?'” – Zechariah 3:1-2 (NASB)

Background Context:
Zechariah, a prophet during the time of Israel’s return from exile, received a series of visions from the Lord. In Zechariah 3, he sees Joshua, the high priest, standing before the Lord in filthy garments, representing sin and impurity. Satan is present, accusing Joshua before God. However, instead of judgment, the Lord rebukes Satan and commands Joshua to be clothed in clean garments, symbolizing purification and restoration.

This passage is deeply prophetic, pointing to Yeshua, our true High Priest, who takes away our sin and clothes us in His righteousness. Just as Joshua was cleansed, we too can be purified and made new when we turn to God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Zachariah 3

Joshua, the High Priest

      1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” 5Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.

      6And the angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, 7“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.

The Branch

      8‘Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. 9‘For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10‘In that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.’”

Reflection on Zechariah 3

Satan, the Accuser

  • Satan is seen accusing Joshua, highlighting his role as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
  • But the Lord rebukes Satan and defends Joshua, showing His power over the enemy.
  • This reminds us that when we belong to God, Satan has no authority over our standing before Him.

Filthy Garments Replaced by Righteousness

  • Joshua’s filthy garments symbolize sin and impurity, but God replaces them with clean clothes.
  • This is a beautiful picture of how Yeshua removes our sins and clothes us with righteousness (Isaiah 61:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
  • Our works cannot make us clean—only God’s grace can.

A Call to Faithfulness

  • Joshua is given a charge: “If you will walk in My ways and perform My service, then you will also govern My house” (Zechariah 3:7).
  • While salvation is a gift, we are still called to walk in obedience and faithfulness to the Lord.

The Messianic Promise

  • Zechariah 3:8-9 speaks of “My servant, the Branch”—a direct reference to Yeshua as the Messiah (Jeremiah 23:5, Isaiah 11:1).
  • The single stone with seven eyes represents God’s complete wisdom and authority, foreshadowing Yeshua as the cornerstone of our faith (Psalm 118:22, 1 Peter 2:6-7).
  • “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” (Zechariah 3:9) ultimately points to the atonement made by Yeshua’s sacrifice on the cross.

Summary Key Points

  • Satan seeks to accuse, but the Lord is our defender.
  • Our righteousness is not our own—it is given to us by God.
  • Yeshua is the promised Branch who cleanses us from sin.
  • God calls us to walk in obedience after being made new.

Application

  • If you struggle with guilt or condemnation, remember that Yeshua has clothed you in righteousness.
  • Examine your heart—are you trying to earn your righteousness, or are you relying on God’s grace?
  • Seek to walk in God’s ways as Joshua was instructed, living as one who has been redeemed.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for removing my filthy garments and clothing me in Your righteousness. When the enemy accuses, remind me that my standing before You is secure through Yeshua. Help me to walk in faithfulness, reflecting Your holiness in my life. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Creative, Eternal, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Truth

The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-5; 14)

Who do you say Jesus is?

John 1:1-5 and 14 reveal the eternal nature of Jesus Christ. He is the Word, present before creation, the source of life and light, and the very essence of God who became flesh to dwell among us. These verses remind us that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet—He is fully God and fully man, bringing grace and truth to a world in darkness.

Key Verse:
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (NASB)

Background Context:
The Gospel of John begins with a powerful declaration of Jesus’ divine nature. Unlike the other Gospels, which start with Jesus’ earthly lineage or ministry, John goes back to the very beginning—before creation itself. He emphasizes that Jesus, the Word, was with God and was God. This passage affirms both the deity and humanity of Christ, showing that He is the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 1:1-5 and 14

The Deity of Jesus Christ

      1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

—

      14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection on John 1:1-5, 14

Jesus, the Eternal Word (John 1:1-3)

  • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) These words echo Genesis 1:1, revealing that Jesus was not created but has always existed with the Father.
  • “All things came into being through Him” (John 1:3). Jesus is the Creator, not a created being. Everything in existence was made through Him. Do you acknowledge Jesus as both Creator and Savior in your life?

Jesus, the Life and Light of the World (John 1:4-5)

  • Jesus is the source of life (John 1:4). Just as physical life depends on light, our spiritual life is found in Him alone.
  • The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:5). The world rejected Jesus, but darkness can never overcome His light. Are you allowing His light to guide your life?

Jesus, God in Human Flesh (John 1:14)

  • “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus stepped into our world, fully human yet fully divine. He didn’t just visit—He lived among us, experiencing life as we do.
  • “We saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The disciples saw firsthand the glory of Christ. His life displayed both the grace that brings salvation and the truth that sets us free. Are you living in the fullness of His grace and truth?

Summary Key Points

  • Jesus is eternal—He was with God before creation and is fully God.
  • All things were created through Him—He is the source of life.
  • He is the light that shines in the darkness, overcoming sin and death.
  • Jesus took on human flesh, revealing God’s glory to us.
  • He is full of grace and truth, offering both salvation and wisdom.

Application

  • Take time to reflect on Jesus’ divine nature—He is not just a historical figure, but God Himself.
  • Allow His light to guide your daily decisions, rejecting the darkness of sin.
  • Embrace both His grace and truth—receive His salvation and walk in obedience.
  • Share His light with others by living a life that reflects His love and truth.

Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the eternal Word, to dwell among us. Help me to understand the depth of His divinity and the power of His light in my life. May I live in His grace and truth, sharing His love with the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

The Message of the Cross – Salvation

God’s instruction to us is so complete and relevant that a scholar could spend a lifetime studying it, yet so simple that a child can understand it and come to a personal relationship with Christ.

The message of the cross, of Yeshua, is perhaps best summarized in the words of Yeshua and Paul, and Passover is a wonderful time to reflect on the sacrifice of Yeshua for our sins and our invitation to receive salvation through Him. (To study more on Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread and how it relates to salvation through Yeshua, visit our teaching on Celebrating God’s Holy Days (Moedim) and the other resources linked there.)

John 3:16-21

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [e]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [f]only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Let us take care to understand properly in context the word “believe”. I believe that Greenland exists, but it has no impact on my life. Many believe that Yeshua was a true historical figure, but they do not live according to His instructions. Many even believe Yeshua was Messiah, in an academic sense, but they do not submit to Him and live His way. If we truly believe that Yeshua Messiah, God, then we should submit to Him and the evidence should be demonstrated in our changed life through actions and attitudes that are increasingly more like Him and less like our old selves.

James 2:14-20

     14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

      18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Some ask…”What is sin?” or “How can I know if I have sinned?” People are inherently sinful, not good. Sin separates us from God. The Bible tells us that “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23]

Have you ever broken one of God’s commandments [Exodus 20:1-17]? Yeshua makes clear that God’s standard goes beyond committing the physical acts but even includes the heart and mind. To hold anger against someone is to commit murder. To have lustful thoughts is to commit adultery. [Matthew 5:21-48]

God is love, but He is also holy and just. A price must be paid for our sins. It can not be ignored. We are not able to pay the price ourselves because we are not worthy. Our sins are so ugly before God that the penalty of sin is death.

God so loved the world that He became man in the person of Yeshua, living a sinless life, and suffered and died for our sins. He was buried and rose again.  He has overcome death and gives us a path to eternal life through accepting Jesus as Lord.

The work of the cross has already been completed. The price has been paid for your sins and mine. We must each individually repent of our sins before God. This means we must turn away from them, not just feel bad about them and keep sinning. We accept Him as Lord, submitting our lives fully to Him. We cannot call Him Lord and then only submit to Him part way. If He is Lord we must submit to Him all the way. This is evidenced by a change in our thoughts and behaviors. We become different from the world. We do not rationalize and accept even some of our sin but rather reject it and seek to follow God.  It is not enough to call ourselves Christians and go to church. We must fully submit to God.

Romans 10

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the [a]end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is [b]based on law shall live [c]by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness [d]based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [e]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [f]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [g]resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [h]disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who [i]bring good news of good things!”

16 However, they did not all heed the [j]good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [k]of Christ.

18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the [l]world.”

19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation,
By a nation without understanding will I anger you.”

20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,

“I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

21 But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Many will reject the message, but we are called to preach it to all the world. We as believers must not be silent or no one will hear the true word of God. If they do not hear it, they can not accept it and be saved.

If you have never submitted to Yeshua as Lord, please pray with me the following, but pray genuinely with your heart because it is not about the specific words but the condition of the heart and submission to God.

Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Yeshua. I admit that I have done wrong and ask your forgiveness. I believe in my heart that Yeshua died for my sin and that you raised Him from the dead. I ask Yeshua into my heart as Lord over my life. Help me to change my attitude and behavior to turn away from my own ways and the world’s ways and instead turn toward You and live the way You teach as revealed in Your word, the Bible. Help me to gladly and boldly proclaim Jesus publicly in my life. Thank you, God, for saving me.

This is not all there is! This is but the beginning… the doorway. Once you pass through this doorway you submit your whole life to Yeshua. It requires a combination of Intellect (knowing God), Emotion (loving God and fearing God), and Will (choosing to do His will instead of our own). It is an ongoing decision in our lives that starts us on a journey to know God more intimately and to obey Him more completely. It requires study and prayer and action. It is a journey we never finish in this life, but it transforms us along the way to be more and more like Yeshua.

If you made this decision today, we encourage you to reach out to us or others in the body of Christ so that we can welcome you as well as pray for you and provide more information and encouragement for your life changing decision. You can reach us through our Contact Us page.

Tell others you know have already accepted Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. Tell them of your decision to follow Him. Look to connect with a mentor who has a mature relationship with Yeshua and/or a local group of followers of Yeshua. Discern based on actions and attitudes of the people rather than what they call themselves. Don’t just assume someone who calls themselves “Christian” is the right connection. Compare to the written word in the Bible and pray for wisdom.

Why is it important to declare Yeshua as Lord publicly? He said so.

Matthew 10:32-33 32 “Therefore everyone who [z]confesses Me before men, I will also confess [aa]him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever [ab]denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

Also, connecting with other disciples (or learners) of Yeshua and publicly declaring your decision to follow Him can help provide important support from others to help you on your journey. Remember, many who reject Yeshua will try to talk you out of submitting to Him and following Him. Some even do this while claiming to follow Him. Pray God will guide you to and connect you with the fellowship of true brothers and sisters in Yeshua that will help you to continue your lifelong journey to know, love, and serve our savior and messiah!

We invite you to study the Bible with us daily through our devotions via email, Facebook, or on our website Latest Devotions page.

We encourage you also to explore the following teaching.  Understanding The Law – What Does It Mean For Us Today?

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.