Weekly Drash - Kedoshim

Compliments of First Fruits of Zion
reprinted by permission of FFOZ

Parashat Hashavuah

Kedoshim - קדשים :“Holy”
Torah : Leviticus 19:1–20:27
Haftarah : Amos 9:7–15
Gospel : Luke 16–17

The Holy One of God

Thought for the Week:

The commandments of Leviticus 19 are called the commandments of holiness. God is the source of holiness, and He is the definer of holiness. These commandments are the definitions of holiness.

Commentary:

All of the commandments of Torah, in some aspect or another, reveal Messiah. They each reveal some essential element of His person or character. The commandments are the very will and wisdom of God. Messiah speaks, saying, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) In another place He says, “I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” (John 8:28) And again he says, “I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10) Therefore, in that Messiah keeps the commandments, the commandments teach us about His behavior.

There is a direct relationship between the commandments and the person of Messiah, because the commandments are a direct revelation from God. They are a revelation of godliness. To see a commandment performed is to see something of God. Therefore, the Master tells his disciple Philip, “He who has seen me, has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

When Yeshua came to us, He came as the Holy One of God. The disciples of Yeshua called Him by this title. (John 6:69) Even the demons recognized Him as the Holy One of God. (Mark 1:24)

Yeshua is called the Holy One of God because His holiness is derived directly from God. He is holy by virtue of His divine nature. His essential being, beyond the flesh, is the eternal Word of God, the very essence of God. In this respect, He is utterly unique, utterly different, utterly set apart, and holy. In addition to this, the holiness of Yeshua results from His conception and birth. No other man has been born of a virgin. Yeshua is different, even on a flesh level. His holiness is also manifest in the complete anointing of the Holy Spirit upon Him.

We have already learned that the Dwelling Presence of God will reside only in a holy place. The Master’s power was derived directly from the Holy Spirit; that is, the Spirit of the Holy God, which rested upon Him and moved through Him without measure. Finally, the Master’s holiness is derived from His imitation of the Father. Inasmuch as the commandments are the definitions of holiness, Messiah is likewise defined by the commandments because He kept them. Therefore, He is able to fulfill the commandment “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) His holiness is a complete holiness. There are no holes in his holiness. For us, sin is a hole in the holiness. Each sin is an area of life where we have failed to uphold the standard of separation from the world.

Shavuah Tov!  Have a Good Week!

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