Footsteps to the Coffin:
Why Footsteps?
In last week’s installment of Footsteps to the Coffin, we examined the significance of the location where the first alabaster vial was poured out on Yeshua, especially his feet. When the second alabaster vial is poured out, it is in preparation for Passover, specifically the preparation of the Passover Lamb:
- When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”
- Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me. For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Mt 26:1-13)
Since the setting places the second alabaster vial in the context of Passover preparation, let's ask again, why alabaster for bringing the vial of nard to anoint Messiah's feet? The following commentary to the Mishnah helps to put us in the time and place in which Yeshua ministered in his first appearance. It gives the specifics of the day on which the Passover lambs were slaughtered, usually in two or three "batches" of people bringing their lambs. The first group would go in, slaughter, pass the blood in basins for pouring with the help of the priests, and when that group was finished, it would depart to prepare their lambs and a second group would enter:
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When they would begin to slaughter, they would begin to recite [Hallel] and if there many Passover sacrifices and the time of their slaughtering stretched out until they completed and still there were many to slaughter, they would return and recite [Hallel] a second time and if they read it twice and still had not completed the slaughtering of the Passover offerings of that group, they would go back and recite it a third time, and similarly for the second group and the third group. ...because there was a great amount of blood, they would rinse it (i.e., the courtyard) on the Sabbath for the canal of water would go in the courtyard and when they would want to rinse it, they would stop up the hole where it (i.e., the water) comes out and the water stretches out over its banks and rinses the entire courtyard [for the courtyard was entirely a floor of alabaster], and afterwards they open the hole and the waters come out. (Bartenura on Mishnah Pesachim 5:8)
The courtyard pavement was entirely of alabaster, and the blood of the Passover lambs would flood it on the day of slaughter. The rabbis connect this Passover lamb blood to Song of Songs 1:12, which says, "While the king was inclining on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance."
Because Matthew Seven mentions three times that Yeshua was reclining at the table when he is first anointed with an alabaster vial of nard, the woman who anoints him has apparently identified Yeshua with the king, and she anoints the king with nard. In Yeshua, we acknowledge both the suffering servant, the Lamb, and the future King, the Lion of Judah. Perhaps this is why we have two anointings: the first for the King, declaring the end from the beginning, and the second for the Lamb.
The rabbis also identified the nard with the Passover Lamb:
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This is the meaning of the following verse according to Rabbi Abahu: "While the king was inclining on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance." (Song of Songs 1:12) The fragrance is a reference to aroma of the Passover offering that came to mask the smell of Egyptian blood. – Rabbi Mark Greenspan on Maarechet Heidenheim on Pesach Haggadah Magid: The Four Sons
The Passover offerings covered the stench of death coming from "Egyptian blood." In Egypt, there had been nine plagues that produced layer upon layer of death, and the final plague brought the death of the firstborn. The Hebrews' Passover lambs released a fragrance of salvation and deliverance that turned the aroma of death into a pleasing fragrance of sacrifice to Adonai. This is at least the symbolic function of nard. While it smells bad, earthy and musky like the fallen world below, it is like the blood of the Lamb that transforms the repentance of the fallen ones into a pleasing sacrifice.
Yeshua was more than a Lamb, though. He was a king and a priest after the order of Melkhi-tzedek. The Levitical priests offer us this picture as well, for they ministered on the alabaster floor in their bare feet:
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“...a large chamber in the [Temple] courtyard where they would always start a fire with wood and the Kohanim would warm themselves there, since they walk barefoot on the alabaster floor”. (Bartenura to Mishnah Shabbat 1:1)
This answers the question of why the feet are singled out in both alabaster anointings. Context tells us that Yeshua's head was anointed as well, but the writers emphasize the anointing of the feet. The feet walk where Heaven and earth meet, the alabaster pavement forming the nexus of Heaven and earth. The Presence abides just above the earth below, and the feet of the priests minister in this "in between" space.
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“This is what the LORD says: ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool for My feet. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?’” (Is 66:1)
The alabaster pavement forms the thin veil between heaven and earth. The footstool for His feet is where the King’s Kingdom on earth “touches” the Heavenly Throne. Natural and spiritual meet on the Temple Mount, in the Temple courtyard, where priests minister to the two realms.
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"In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple." (Is 6:1)
Adonai's feet rest on the Temple Mount, and the hem of His garment rests there. In washing Yeshua’s feet, the women with the alabaster vials acknowledged that the King is at the table. He is the Lamb. Yeshua is fully human, yet the image of the Father. He is the only way that we will “touch” the Father in His Kingdom below. The Kingdom can be represented by feet, where the two realms “kiss”:
- “‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES UNDER YOUR FEET”’?” (Mt 22:44)
King Yeshua will not only rule, but his enemies cannot enter the realm of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. They are “beneath” the alabaster pavement, the natural earth.
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“His legs are pillars of alabaster set on pedestals of pure gold; His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.” (So 5:15)
The cedars of Lebanon can represent the Temple, for its "bones" were constructed from them. Yeshua is worthy. He is the Lamb and the King who beckons us to the table. His blood has transformed our death into the fragrance of life. We can rejoice that our sins are forgiven and that he will reign. May the Temple of Adonai be rebuilt quickly, in our days, by the King.
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“And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Mt 28:8-10)
We will see Yeshua again. Until then, we can pour our own alabaster vials on his feet by repenting and announcing that he is resurrected, and he will meet us if we carry the good news to his brothers. How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...and how lovely are those who anoint those feet with tears of joy!
Different livestream time!
This link will be public for a limited time, so please view live or soon after.
Click here to join the livestream at APPROXIMATELY noon pm Eastern time on Shabbat.
This is a live service, so the actual teaching time is approximate.
The topic will be a review of the angels of the four winds with additional very new material. This new material is so important that we plan for it to become the next BEKY Book.
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Shabbat Shalom!
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THE CREATION GOSPEL
TRAINER RETREAT
MARCH 5-8, 2023
Smoky Mountains
Limited space still available
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We listened to your suggestions and have extended the CG Trainer Retreat to include an extra day. During the retreat this year, we will have more time for fellowship and an evening devoted to celebrating the Feast of Purim. We will read the whole Megillah, blot out the name of Haman, and much more!
If you are a Creation Gospel Trainer or desire to test to become one, this retreat is especially designed for you. However, Creation Gospel students are also welcome! We will be staying at a large chalet in the majestic Smoky Mountains. Potential trainers will test with Dr. Alewine for certification, current trainers will be able to connect, network, exchange ideas, and learn from one another, and all will benefit from Dr. Alewine's three presentations that will include teaching basics for trainers and a special Purim message. Registrants will receive a full itinerary two weeks before the retreat.
We will be staying at the Big Forest Lodge in Sevierville, TN. Check out photos of the venue and its floorpan below, which boasts 9,000 sq. ft., a swimming pool and hot tub, beautiful views of the mountains from its many balconies, and plenty of couches on every level where you can sit and chat with other Creation Gospel trainers and students.
Your registration is all inclusive!
You will get a three night stay, eight meals, testing, teaching, and participation in the Purim celebration with your registration. Biblically clean meals will be prepared by Kisha's local fellowship with most dietary needs being accommodated.*
* Meals will be Biblically clean, not Rabbinically Kosher. We will have gluten-free, low sugar, and vegetarian options available.
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different livestream time!
This link will be public for a limited time, so please view live or soon after.
Click here to join the livestream at APPROXIMATELY noon pm Eastern time.
This is a live service at River of Life, so the actual teaching time is approximate.
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Join us at Save the Nations Ft. Lauderdale for a Shavuot celebration in the Word with Pastors Ken and Lisa Albin. Click the link to read more and register.
Thu, May 25, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sat, May 27, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT
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Book Hebrew Suggestion of the Week:
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BANANAGRAMS - The popular award winning game now available in Hebrew! It's an amazing word game that can be played anywhere. Fast moving, addictive, fun and educational. No waiting turns, no paper and pencil. Great fun for the whole family. The bag fits in the palm of your hand, so it's easy to set up and put away.
Our good friends introduced Bananagrams to us last week when they visited, and we are hooked! When I saw the word game was available in Hebrew, I knew I had to share it. This is a great way to work at Hebrew vocabulary-building. The tiles can do double-duty at drilling youngsters on the Hebrew alefbet...no matter how old they are!
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Your continual prayers for the children of LaMalah and our brothers and sisters in Kenya are so much appreciated. We still need help toward the Second Quarter 2023 support and finishing out some of the security work on the grounds. If you've never heard the story of how LaMalah was conceived and built, please take a moment to look over the brief description by clicking on the phot above or clicking here.
Here is an update from Brother Ndungu this week:
Shabbat Shalom, my sister.
As always we hope and pray all is well with you, Allan, and all believers out there.
We are all doing fine. One girl in LaMalah named Karen missed school this week due to health issues. Nothing serious, though, and we expect her back to school on Monday.
There has been persistent drought. So severe, looking back, we thank Abba for giving us the wisdom to drill water. We are helping the community around as the rivers and water sources around have dried up. We don't know what we would be doing. Other children's homes around are relying on water lorries to supply them. Truly Father does exceedingly much more than we can pray. May all honor, praises and esteem be unto Him.
The drought pushes prices of commodities to exorbitant levels.With a new regime, times are hard with most areas hard hit by famine. Women are traveling many kilometres searching for food for their children.
Much was spent in taking children back to school with some joining high school for the first time. We eargerly look forward to the month of March even as we start making preparations for Pesach and FUB.
If you were able to post the books, I would truly appreciate the tracking number. It makes things easier.The goverment in place is so serious with taxes that any parcel, be it books or anything, is charged according to the stated value. If you place a high value on the parcel when sending, they will calculate a percentage for import duty, exercise duty, value added tax, like three taxes and handling charges.
We do pray for you many times. Do let's keep praying for one another.
Blessings for Shabbat.
Peter
If you feel led to help with the operating expenses of LaMalah, you can always use the donate button below or send a check by snail mail to:
The Creation Gospel
PO Box 846
East Bernstadt, KY 40729
Creation Gospel Workbook sales go to the ministry, so take a moment and shop our webpage or Amazon.
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We no longer recommend using the Amazon Smile program to donate toward the orphanage. Amazon is phasing out the program, stating that they will continue to donate to charities, but to those of their choice. Considering Amazon's anti-Torah "charitable" leanings, we've chosen to order as few products as possible from them. |
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September 26-October 8, 2023
Price: $2,895 (airfare not included)
Tours Include:
- Hotels
- Breakfast
- Dinner (except Oct. 7)
- National Park Passes
- Bus transfer to and from Ben Gurion Airport
- All tips (except housekeeping)
Not Included:
- Lunches
- Flight/Trip insurance
- Airline Ticket
To view the itinerary or register, click here.
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You can listen to the live streams of our podcasts on Podbean by clicking on the link below. Soon we'll be adding Torah portions.
We are transferring most of our YouTube videos to Odysee, which will eliminate those pesty ads. All this takes time and money, so it won't happen tomorrow, but it is something to look forward to soon. You can see what has been posted so far on The Creation Gospel at Odysee. The videos will remain on YouTube as well.
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Thursdays: 9-10 am & 10-11 p.m.
Mondays: 4-5 am & 2-3 p.m.
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