Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus

1. The Bible's Cultural Context: Bridging the Gap Between Ancient and Modern Worlds

"Captain, the weather radar has helped us a lot."

Cultural differences matter. These words, from the black box of a Korean Airlines flight that crashed in Guam in 1997, illustrate how cultural misunderstandings can have devastating consequences. The copilot was trying to indirectly suggest they should rely on instruments, but the captain didn't understand. Similarly, our modern Western culture can lead to misunderstandings when reading the Bible.

The WEIRD factor. Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) cultures often struggle to understand the Bible's original context. This cultural gap is often wider than the temporal gap between us and the biblical world. To truly understand Scripture, we must mentally transport ourselves to the ancient Near East, embracing its communal, honor-shame oriented culture.

Bridging the gap. To better understand the Bible:

• Learn about ancient Near Eastern culture and customs
• Study Hebrew language and thought patterns
• Read multiple translations to grasp nuances
• Consult commentaries that focus on historical and cultural context
• Engage with people from non-Western cultures to gain fresh perspectives

2. Hebrew Language: The Heart of Biblical Understanding

"The Hebrew tongue, above other languages, is very plain, but withal it is majestic and glorious: it contains much in few and simple words, and therein surpasses all other languages."

Hebrew's unique qualities. Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, has a smaller vocabulary than English but packs more meaning into each word. This concise yet rich language uses concrete imagery to express abstract concepts, making it both poetic and profound.

Key Hebrew concepts. Understanding certain Hebrew words can unlock deeper biblical meanings:

• Shalom: peace, wholeness, well-being
• Hesed: loyal love, covenant faithfulness
• Yirah: fear, awe, reverence
• Ruach: spirit, wind, breath

Practical application. To enhance your Bible study:

• Use tools like Strong's Concordance or Bible software to explore original Hebrew words
• Study key Hebrew concepts and how they're used throughout Scripture
• Read translations that aim for word-for-word accuracy alongside thought-for-thought versions
• Consider learning basic Hebrew or attending a Hebrew word study class

3. Collective Identity: Reading the Bible as a "We" Instead of "Me"

"Turn it, and turn it, for everything is in it. Reflect on it and grow old and gray with it. Don't turn from it, for nothing is better than it."

Communal focus. The Bible was written in a collectivist culture that emphasized group identity over individual concerns. Many passages that we read as addressing individuals were actually meant for the entire community of faith.

Implications for interpretation. Reading the Bible with a communal mindset changes our understanding:

• Promises and warnings often apply to the whole community, not just individuals
• Salvation is about entering God's kingdom, not just personal forgiveness
• Spiritual growth happens in community, not isolation

Practical steps. To cultivate a more communal reading of Scripture:

• Read in a group setting, discussing interpretations together
• Consider how passages apply to your church or faith community, not just yourself
• Study the Old Testament's focus on Israel as a nation and how it relates to the church
• Reflect on how individualism might be skewing your interpretation of certain passages

4. The Messiah's Role: Understanding Jesus as God's Chosen King

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Messianic expectations. The concept of "Christ" (Messiah) in Jesus' time was deeply rooted in the idea of God's chosen king who would restore Israel and bring justice to the world. This royal imagery is crucial for understanding Jesus' ministry and claims.

Jesus' subtle claims. Jesus often made indirect messianic claims by alluding to Old Testament passages about the coming king. Examples include:

• Riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
• Referring to himself as the "Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13-14)
• Proclaiming the "year of the Lord's favor" (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Implications for discipleship. Recognizing Jesus as the Messianic King:

• Calls us to submit to his authority in all areas of life
• Invites us to participate in his kingdom mission
• Challenges us to live according to his teachings and values
• Offers hope for ultimate justice and restoration

5. Ancient Memory and Scriptural Echoes: How Jesus and Paul Communicated

"I was linking up the words of the Torah with one another, and then the words of the Prophets, and the Prophets with the Writings, and the words rejoiced as on the day they were delivered from Sinai. And were they not originally delivered from Sinai in fire?"

Memorization culture. In Jesus' time, people memorized vast portions of Scripture and could recall intricate details. This allowed teachers like Jesus and Paul to make subtle allusions that their audience would immediately recognize.

Intertextual communication. Jesus and the New Testament writers often:

• Used single phrases to evoke entire Old Testament passages
• Combined multiple Scriptures to create new meaning
• Reinterpreted familiar stories in light of Jesus' ministry

Modern application. To better understand these scriptural echoes:

• Familiarize yourself with the Old Testament, especially the Torah and Prophets
• Study how New Testament passages quote or allude to the Old Testament
• Use cross-reference tools to identify connections between passages
• Practice memorizing Scripture to develop a more intuitive grasp of biblical themes

6. Humility and Awe: Rediscovering Our Smallness in God's Presence

"The awareness of grandeur and the sublime is all but gone from the modern mind. . . . The sense for the sublime, the sign of the inward greatness of the human soul and something which is potentially given to all men, is now a rare gift. Yet without it, the world becomes flat and the soul a vacuum."

Biblical perspective on human smallness. The Old Testament consistently portrays humans as tiny and insignificant compared to God's greatness. This humility before God was a foundational aspect of biblical faith.

Modern obstacles to awe. Our technological society often blinds us to our own smallness:

• Scientific knowledge can make us feel we've "figured out" the universe
• Constant connectivity diminishes our ability to be still and contemplate
• Emphasis on human achievement can overshadow God's majesty

Cultivating awe. Practical ways to rediscover a sense of wonder:

• Spend time in nature, observing its intricacy and vastness
• Study astronomy to grasp the immensity of the universe
• Practice gratitude, acknowledging God's gifts in daily life
• Engage in contemplative prayer or meditation on God's attributes
• Read poetic passages of Scripture that celebrate God's greatness (e.g., Psalms, Job)

7. Isaiah 53: The Suffering Servant and Triumphant King

"Assuredly, I will give him the many as his portion, He shall receive the multitude as his spoil."

Dual nature of the Messiah. Isaiah 53 presents a paradoxical figure who both suffers and triumphs, challenging simplistic notions of what the Messiah would be like. This prophecy is crucial for understanding Jesus' mission.

Key themes in Isaiah 53:

• Vicarious suffering: The Servant bears the sins of others
• Humble appearance: He is not recognized or esteemed
• Ultimate exaltation: God honors him with a great reward
• Worldwide impact: Many nations benefit from his work

Christ as fulfillment. Jesus embodied both aspects of Isaiah 53:

• He suffered and died for humanity's sins
• He rose victorious and was exalted to God's right hand
• He is building a kingdom that includes people from all nations

8. The Gospel in Context: Jesus as the Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises

"Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

Continuity with Israel's story. The gospel is not a new invention but the culmination of God's promises throughout the Old Testament. Jesus saw himself as fulfilling these ancient expectations.

Key Old Testament themes fulfilled in Jesus:

• The promised Davidic king (2 Samuel 7:12-14)
• The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)
• The Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14)
• The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Implications for evangelism and discipleship:

• Present the gospel as the fulfillment of God's grand narrative, not just individual salvation
• Emphasize Jesus' role as both Savior and Lord (Messiah/King)
• Connect New Testament teachings to their Old Testament roots
• Invite people into God's ongoing story of redemption and kingdom-building

Last updated: April 22, 2025