The Sacrifice of Messiah by Dan Love Traditional Christianity has taught mankind that a Jewish savior with the Greek name of Yahusha (Iesous) was sacrificed at the stake or on a cross or a tree to save us all from our sins; and all we have to do is believe on the name of Yahusha (Iesous). That the shedding of his blood covers us and our sins, and that, when G_d looks down on us, He only sees the sacrificial blood of Yahusha (Iesous). Nothing could be further from the truth! Yahuah is neither blind nor a fool! This is not to say that the First Begotten Human Son of G_d (the First of the First Fruits) did not die at the hands of Roman Soldiers and at the request of some angry Hebrew legalist; Nor does it mean that his death wasn't a very important aspect of his personal sacrifice. This message is not to de-emphasize his death, but to emphasize his whole sacrifice. As for the Greek name Yahusha (Iesous or Ihsous), it is the English phonetic spelling of the ancient phrase "Yeh Seous," which has a meaning similar to "Hail Zeus." Even the Roman Catholic church does not try to hide this fact, and have even abbreviated the name of their savior, Yahusha, as "IHS" (see Disclaimer and "Other Important Information." As for the word "Sacrifice," mankind has been prejudiced into conjuring up visions of pagan Roman, Mayan or Aztec type sacrifices in which the victim may have been willing to die, but historically most were not willing victims, but captured enemies. Even so, the word "Sacrifice" is now only vaguely associated with a "Living Sacrifice." Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I beg you, brothers, by the mercies of G_d, to present your bodies (life) a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to G_d, which IS your spiritual service. 2 Don't be fashioned according to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (receive Yahuah's Holy Spirit of Love), so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of G_d. Therefore, I say to you all right now, that the death of Messiah Yahusha was not the beginning of his personal sacrifice, but the culmination of his personal sacrifice. If we find ourselves only concentrating on his death, then we have missed the most meaningful part of his reason for being born and living, and that was (is) his ministry on Earth. Messiah Yahusha was not born just to die! When we say that we believe in the Messiah, we should actually be thinking that we believe in his ministry. After all, it was his ministry that angered the legalist that had him executed. The legalist were happy at his death! So, is there a lesson to be learned from his whole "Sacrifice?" Absolutely! You see, Satan doesn't want us to realize that Messiah Yahusha's MINISTRY was (is) his sacrifice. Satan wants mankind to think that it was only his physical life (living soul) that was his sacrifice, but the Bible indicates otherwise. Why? Because Yahusha didn't fear physical death (like most human beings do), he feared being separated from Yahuah, which is eternal death. This is not to say that he enjoyed the idea of enduring the pain of death. And so I reiterate, it was (is) his MINISTRY that was (is) his "Sacrifice" to mankind, and his death was (is) the culmination of that MINISTRY. He gave up a normal personal life and human ambition for our sakes AND he became our Passover Lamb! But without his selfless MINISTRY, he would not have been an acceptable sacrifice for sin (selfishness), and his death would have been meaningless. 1 John 3:13-18 13 Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of (physical) death into (eternal) life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in (physical & Spiritual) death. 15 Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 16 By this we know love, because he laid down his (whole) life (from beginning to end) for us (as a living sacrifice). We (also) ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (as a living sacrifice). 17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of G_d remain in him? 18 My little children, let's love not in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed (Spirit) and truth. Therefore, it is our Spiritual duty (through selfless love) to follow in (mimic) the footsteps (Example) of Messiah Yahusha's SELFLESS MINISTRY, and to SELFLESSLY LOVE our brother (neighbor, fellow man/woman) in DEED (Spirit) and in TRUTH (basically the same as John 4:22-24). Therefore "Sacrifice" means to die to "Self." Revelation 12:11 11 They (The Chosen Few or First Fruits) overcame him (Satan, SELF, Beast, etc...) because of the Lamb's blood (symbolic of his whole LIFE's MINISTRY), and because of the word of their testimony (their own personal Ministry). They did not love their (physical) life, even to death (the culmination of their own personal ministry). NOTE: But they did love their MINISTRY (of Love), their neighbor and Yahuah! John 4:22-24 22 You worship that which you don't know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from (by way of) the Jews (tribe of Judah). 23 But the hour comes, and NOW IS, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. 24 G_d is spirit, and those who worship him MUST worship in Spirit AND Truth." With recent revelations in the use of anthropomorphisms (The use of physical example to teach Spiritual Truth) by Yahuah and our Elder Brother, Yahusha. I have been Spiritually directed to analyze the legalism of the Christian interpretation of our Messiah's sacrifice and the shedding of his blood on "The Cross." AND, the more I study this, the more I am convinced that it is NOT and never has been the blood (itself) that washes away the sins of The World (as we have been taught by Christian Legalism / doctrine), BUT the motive (Loving Intent) behind the selfless act of "SELF-SACRIFICE" (Messiah actually did give himself) that serves to wash away sin (so to speak). It was Messiah's entire Life Ministry, culminating in his death, that was his TRUE SACRIFICE (NOT Just His Death). Therefore, he taught us by his example to become a "LIVING SACRIFICE" even unto death. This is truly paralleled by even the Ancient Israelite animal sacrifices under the Laws given by Moses (Mosiac Laws). Wherein, they were to choose their best (spotless) lambs (animals) to give for sacrifice, NOT because Yahuah was impressed by the physical perfection of animals, BUT rather because Israel (and mankind) was (is) impressed by physical perfection; And therefore, they would feel the LOSS OF SACRIFICE to a much greater degree. THIS truly mimics (is an anthropomorphism of) "SELF-SACRIFICE." Additionally, this also mimics the (very near) physical sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham; HOWEVER, by intervening to prevent the death of Isaac, Yahuah showed us that it was Abraham's INTENT that was of upmost importance. AND furthermore, I believe that it is THE INTENT of THE HEART that has ALWAYS been the point of differentiation between receiving "Favor" (Grace) OR not in Yahuah's Eyes. Therefore, The Messiah's Role in "The Plan of Salvation" is NOT as portrayed by Christianity at all, but is more in-line with how he is portrayed by Judaism. Therefore, since it was Messiah's Lifelong Ministry that was (is) his sacrifice, THEN it is ALSO Our LIFE's MINISTRY that is our (Living) Sacrifice. For it is in this way that we follow IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MESSIAH . So what is the lesson to be learned? NOW IS THE TIME to follow in the footsteps of Messiah's MINISTRY, and present your physical life as a selfless LIVING SACRIFICE. For if we say we "BELIEVE IN HIM," then we MUST, also, believe in his MINISTRY, because it is our MINISTRY that follows his example and bears our fruit unto Righteousness. Mark 4:20 20 These (chosen few or First Fruits) are those who were sown on the good ground: such as hear the word (Truth), and accept it, and bear fruit (MINISTRY), some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times." John 15:2 2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit (MINISTRY), he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit (MINISTRY), he prunes, that it may bear more fruit (MINISTRY). 3 You are already pruned clean because of the word (Truth) which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me (my MINISTRY of Love), and I (my living Sacrifice of Love) in you. As the branch can't bear fruit (MINISTRY) by itself, unless it remains in the vine (my MINISTRY of Love), so neither can you, unless you remain in me (my MINISTRY of Love) Remember this: Messiah's LIVING sacrifice of Love, and his death are both part of the same MINISTRY. Have you presented your life as a selfless "Living Sacrifice" according to the "Ministry" of Messiah Yahusha ? Ephesians 5:6-16 (speaking to True Worshippers) 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of G_d comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Don't be therefore partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Kurios (He who has the authority of Yahuah). Walk as children of light (MINISTRY), 9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness (MINISTRY) and righteousness (MINISTRY) and truth (MINISTRY), 10 proving what (MINISTRY) is well-pleasing to the Kurios. 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them (with MINISTRY). 12 For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of. 13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that is revealed is light (MINISTRY). 14 Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Messiah will shine on you." 15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk (MINISTRY), not as unwise, but as wise (MINISTRY); 16 redeeming the time (MINISTRY), because the days are evil. John 15:12 12 This is my commandment, that you love one another (MINISTRY of believers), even as (following my example) I have loved you (MINISTRY of Yahusha). Luke 9:23-25 23 He (Messiah) said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me (follow in my footsteps), let him deny himself (a personal living sacrifice or MINISTRY), take up his (personal) cross (living sacrifice) , and follow me (the example of my MINISTRY). 24 For whosoever desires to save his (physical selfserving) life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life (give up SELFISHNESS) for my sake, the same will save it (receive Eternal Life). 25 For what does it profit a man if he (selfishly) gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self (eternal self)?

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