If you didn’t immediately conjure up the ‘Gorge of Death’ from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, then I’m not sure why we are conversing here.
For those who have not seen the film (in which case, ‘your mother was probably a hamster, and your father smelleth of elderberries’), Terry Gilliam is asking King Arthur’s knights a series of three questions – if they answer any of them wrong, they are cast into the gorge.
The second question given to each is, “What is your quest?”
As followers of Christ, do you know what your quest is?
The disciples travelled with Yeshua; watched Yeshua; ate with Yeshua; were instructed by him and asked him questions, but when he was crucified, they were lost. Peter even states he is going back to fishing (John 21:3).
Without their master, they did not know their purpose.
Before ascending into heaven, Yeshua gave them their quest:
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of [the Father, and of] the Son[, and of the Holy Ghost]: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [the bracketed phrases were added by the translators to reinforce the doctrine of trinity that was not originally present in the verse]
Matthew 28:18-20
The phrase “teach all nations” should properly read, “make disciples of all nations”. Of course, teaching is an important part of discipling, but it is possible to teach without the student learning. Yeshua is asking for them to teach and live a certain way that will cause others to believe.
“Do as I did, and make disciples throughout the world”
This was their quest and, as disciples of Yeshua, it is now our quest. We are to walk as Yeshua walked (1John 2:6) and share Christ in words and actions so as to make disciples of others.
There is no path that leads to salvation that does not go through Christ, so don’t waste a lot of time talking about how wonderful your church building is or how eloquent your pastor is. You may have a spectacular praise & worship team, but they are a poor substitute for speaking and walking the Word.
Yeshua speaks a parable about rewards for discipleship (Matthew 25:14-30):
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Matthew 25:14-15
Later, Yeshua instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received “power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Matthew 25:16-17
It is true that some people are more gifted at pastoring or evangelizing (Ephesians 4:11), but he does not expect the same results from everyone:
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Luke 14:28b
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Matthew 25:18
Don’t take what you are given and hide in the back pew on Sundays or keep silent for fear of offending someone.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:15-16
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:19-21
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
When the lord (think Yeshua) returns, he reviews what his servants have accomplished.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:22-23
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
The second servant did not accomplish as much, but the lord was still satisfied with the results. He took what he was given and did something with it.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Matthew 25:24-25
Fear is not a justification for hiding your faith or for inaction.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Matthew 25:26-27
Had the servant done even the barest minimum he could have done (put the money in the bank), there would have been at least a slight gain. Because of inflation, the lord got the same amount back, but it was not worth as much,
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:28-30
Satan does not take a break. The culture, the news, evil people, false preachers, wicked politicians, are all trying to keep the sheep from hearing the true Word. They are wolves that hungrily devour those that would believe
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Acts 20:29
The flock needs a shepherd to protect it. You are not called to be that shepherd – you are called to speak his words and show his works so that the sheep will recognize the sound of the master’s voice.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:27
You may never see a transformation, but you may influence them to take their first step toward salvation. Don’t think you need to do it all:
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Corinthians 3:5-10
You are responsible for doing your part and to take heed how you do it. A builder who uses glue where screws are needed does not prepare a house to weather a storm.
Don’t just speak the Word to those you think are not saved. Your fellow workmen need encouragement, also. They suffer the same fear and doubts that you do and nothing strengthens like the Word.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17
Study much, so you can stand approved before Yahweh (2Timothy 2:15) and so you can be a good and faithful witness.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Acts 18:24-26 – emphasis added
Endeavour to be the best you can be for Yahweh, Yeshua, and their people . . . and then endeavour to be better. Your brothers and sisters in Christ will be there for you.
Do you know “God’s Instructions” (Torah)? Sadly, nearly every “christian” church teaches that the things Yeshua said and did have been “done away with” since the resurrection of Christ.
This does not explain why Torah will be kept in the Millineal Kingdom and why believers are instructed to be like Christ and walk as Yeshua did.
GRAFTED: Embracing Torah was written for Christians who want to “Do what Yeshua Did!” Yahweh gave us one set of instructions.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1John 2:3-6 – emphasis added