Chronological timing of our Messiah's birth

All Gospel quotations are taken out of the Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels.

A lot of confusion reigns about our Messiah's birth and many people accept Christmas as Yeshua's official birth date. Some others will argue that it doesn't really matter if Yeshua was born on December the 25th or not. Actually, it DOES matter, because our Messiah's birth is intimately linked with the Festival of Sukkoth, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. John 1:14 specifies that Yeshua " tabernacled among us."

Most confusions about our Messiah's birth chronology are due to huge mistakes in calculation ( mostly based on the Gregorian calendar.) One must understand that the Gospels would, of course, refer to the Jewish religious calendar. The universe of the Gospels depicts Torah-observant families in Israel of the 1st Century. Yet so many individuals prompt to forget about it.
It also comes from the ignorance of geography and meteorological conditions at different times of the year in Israel.


Timing of Zechariah at the Temple

The Gospel of Luke offers a precise timing of the events that are depicted, but a clear understanding of these events will require quite a good knowledge of some Tanakh references.

Actually, we will need to go back to the first Book of Chronicles, Chapter 24. This text informs us precisely about the division of Levitical priesthood by King David. There were 24 divisions and King David's clever organization allowed each division to be able to worship at the Temple.
Abiyah was programmed to serve during the second half of the Jewish Calendar which corresponds to late May to Mid-June ( and to Shavuoth Feast).

We know from the Gospel of Luke that Zechariah belonged to the division of Abiyah ( Abijah in English).


Contrary a popular opinion, Yeshua wasn't born in a stall, but in a SUKKAH.

To the attentive reader, who has heart to replace the Gospel reports into their, true original, cultural and cultual context, it is obvious that Yeshua's place of birth completely differs from Christianity's made up fairy tales.

This is how a sukkah looks like:

(N.B: this statement wasn't made to pick on Christians, but rather to restore true facts where they actually belong. As a follower of Yeshua our Messiah, I am committed to speaking out the truth, whether people like it or not.)

So, what is a sukkah and what is its purpose?

A sukkah is a holiday hut that is constructed by Jewish families as a temporary home topped with branches and under the open sky ( it must provide shade) during the whole Festival of Sukkoth ( i.e 7 days). The material used to build it obeys very precise rules.

There are several points to remember about the Festival of Sukkoth:

• Sukkoth seals the unity of all Jewish people
• a sukkah is a protection from the Lord ( For the day of trouble, He will hide me in His sukkah ( Psalm 27:5)
• It is a strong reminder of the deliverance from Egypt
• during Sukkoth it is a mitzvah to invite guests to sit inside of the Sukkah 
• the upshpizin or guests are very important and are also a reminder of Abraham's three visitors in Genesis 18

"You shall rejoice in your Festival, you, your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, the Levite, the stranger, the orphan and the widow who are within your cities." Deuteronomy 16:14

Being aware of the details mentioned above will help us do away with some made-up stories and go back to a Jewish, Torah-observant context that makes sense.

First and foremost there are two other points that also disprove a birth in December:

• Luke speaks of a compulsatory census that has been ordered by the Roman authorities. Considering the cold and bad weather in Israel in the month of December, it is obvious that the Romans wouldn't plan a census that implied people to be traveling during Winter time.
• We also know from Luke's mouth that the shepherds were keeping the night time duty on their flock ( which is only possible if the weather is mild enough).

Knowing that the Jewish tradition states that " all Jews should sit together inside of the Sukkah", we can understand easily that Yosef probably requested hospitality in Bethlehem for his highly pregnant wife and himself. But, despite the emergency situation he was facing and mostly due to the fact there were many travelers because of the census, Yosef could not be given hospitality by the inhabitants of Bethlehem. Facing emergency, he probably requested help from a few people to build his own Sukkah. When Miryam had given birth to Yeshua, she probably didn't find any appropriate space for Yeshua, so she placed Him in the existing manger inside of the sukkah.

The conditions of birth of our Messiah are a call to humbleness. King of the Kings, of the lineage of King David, but of modest condition, Yeshua tabernacled among us, even literally speaking.

Timing of Yochanan's conception, Yochanan's birth, followed by Yeshua's birth

"When the days of the service had been fulfilled, he returned to his house.

After these days, his wife Elisheva conceived and kept herself hidden for 5 months, and she said,

this is what Hashem has done for me, to gather up my disgrace from the sons of men." 

Luke 1:23-25

Logically, we can assume that Zechariah returned home a few days, or maybe a few weeks after Gabriel's apparition, so five months after Yochanan's conception is probably around late November. Yonachan was probably born in late March or at the beginning of April.

We also know that, six months after Yochanan's conception, the angel Gabriel visited Miryam in the little Galilean town of Nazareth. 

Gabriel spoke to Miryam in these terms:

"You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you shall name him Yeshua.He will be great and will be called Son of the Highest.Hashem, God, will give him the throne of his father David.He will reign on the House of Yaakov forever.There will be no end to his kingdom."

Yaakov was named Israel so House of Yaakov can be transcribed by House of Israel.

Miryam wasn't married at this time.  She was a virgin. She was afraid and wondered how this would happen.

The angel Gabriel reassured her:

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the one that is born will be called holy- the Son of God."

Yeshua's conception happened after Gabriel had spoken. Six months after Yochanan's conception leads us to late December ( around December the 25th that is wrongly mistaken as Yeshua's birth date.)

If Yeshua was conceived around December the 25th, His birth probably happened around September the 25th to early October, which is excellent news, because Yeshua is the Word who became flesh and tanernacled among us all.

When Miryam came to visit her cousin, she knew of her pregnancy, because her baby had moved in her womb out of joy!

In the same way we shall rejoice, because the author of our Salvation came to be one of us.


A little bit food for thought

So, is it wrong to celebrate Christmas knowing that this date doesn't correspond to Yeshua's real birthdate ?


A lot of people would argue that this doesn't matter. 
The trouble is, Christmas is associated with many pagan symbols that IHVH disapproves of like the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Santa's little helper and many more.

A true follower of Yeshua is meant to follow our Messiah only and to discard anything pagan.

If you doubt it, please check your heart's motives and ask our Lord to show you.


May Yeshua bless all of you who are reading this article. All praise to our Lord and Savior. May He develop in you a sincere will to be close to His heart, always.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling

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Hodu l' Adonai ki tov (Psalm 136) con lyrics

The Good News is deranging to many: shout it out anyway

Until recently, I didn't realize how much Yeshua's character (I am not speaking about the diluted version of Him) was deranging to so many people.  Actually many individuals would be happy if Yeshua's true disciples simply shut their mouths. 

I am telling you, my friends, the more they want you to shut up, the bolder you should be in proclaiming the Good News of Yeshua in a corrupt world.


If they keep quiet, the stones will shout out

As our Messiah says in Luke 19:40:

"If they keep quiet, the stones will shout out."

Light cannot be hidden, yet light is deranging to many because it exposes sin and acts of evilness.
Corrupt souls will brand Yeshua's disciples as " intolerant" because they are not keen on making compromise with lies and corrupt behaviors.
Being a disciple of our Lord requires committment to our rabbi's teachings: you cannot be a disciple and agree with the standards of the world. It implies that you will be one-sighted in your thoughts and actions. Some people will hate you for that. It doesn't really matter what these haters think.
In the end you will only be accountable for your actions before Hashem.

The prophetic meaning of " stones"

Yeshua didn't choose the word " even" =, here " avanim" in the plural, by coincidence.
There is an obvious wordplay in this verse taken out of the Gospel of Luke.

"Haavanim" the stones are phonetically very close to " Habanim", the sons.
The true sons of God will shout out the truth with all theur might.

Sharing Yeshua with the world is a true mitzvah. Yeshua is the Messiah of Israel and of the Nations. Announcing is Name is bringing healing and Salvation to a wounded world.


What the disciple is meant to mirror

The walk of the disciple is supposed to mirror the path that is described in Micah 6:8.

The first person a disciple of Yeshua is supposed to correct is himself/herself in order to give the example.  Our actions should ALWAYS preach louder than our lips.

While it is wrong to constantly point an accusatory finger at others, the disciple should in NO WAY compromise with sin. If a behavior is immoral, he should point it out and expose it in any case.

Yeshua depicts his true disciples as " the salt of the earth".
If we don't prevent society from decay, we are of no use.
Brothers and sisters, be proud to walk in the Light of our Messiah. May many come to Teshuva ( repentance) and get to know Yeshua through your example. 

May our Messiah guide us all in applying His invaluable teachings. Amen.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling

A perfume of significance: Yeshua's anointing in John Chapter 12

Read my most recent Linkedin  article, A perfume of significance: Yeshua's anointing in John Chapter 12.

The gospel of John: written by anti-Semites? by Isabelle Esling

The gospel of John: written by anti-Semites? by Isabelle Esling: A lot of people ( wrongly) support the belief that the Gospel of John was written in order to support anti-Semitic views and to break with the Old Testament in order to lay the foundation of a new doc...

Shema Israel

YEDIT NEFESH - AMADO DA MINHA ALMA (Legendado)

Yeshua (Legendado)

Yehuda Ish Kriyot ( Judas Iscariot), Yeshua's last Meal and the betrayal kiss

Yehudah Ish Kryot is probably one of the most hated biblical characters, yet he has been picked out by Yeshua to be one of the twelve disciples. Yehudah Ish Kryot has  been able to witness Yeshua's kindness and His miracles daily. However despite the closeness to the Master, he decided to betray Him.

Yeshua knew that he'd forsake Him and despite all He chose him, because Yehudah was an instrument to fulfill Hashem's Salvation plan.

While reading the Gospels, I have been intrigued and asked myself the question: did Yehudah partake the Last Meal? I was also curious to understand Yehudah's motives and betrayal kiss to a deeper level.

Yehudah Ish Kriyot, better known as Judas Iscariot has become a symbol for wickedness and hypocrisy. After the third Century, his character has also been used shamelessly by a growing, antisemitic church as a representation of the Jew in general. This has been widely encouraged by catholic church even after the sixties and seventies ( I've seen prayer books in German and in French where the Jews were depicted as the villains, the God-killer and Judas-alike nation. Fortunately, even as a child, I refused to accept these made-up lies.)

Please note: All Gospel quotes used in this article are from the Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels.

Man of Kriyot ( or Queriot)

A lot of scholars have developed some ridiculous theories after Judas' name and family name to explain his wickedness that are based on the Greek language. However, these theories are of great deceit to whoever believes them. So please, get any theory of wickedness and evilness regarding Yehudah Ish Kerioth's name, because these assumptions have been completely made up, by ignorant people with antisemitic views.

The  name Yehudah it is linked with the Hebrew meaning of " praise" or object of praise".

"Kryiot" simply refers to a region in the South of Judah, called Kryot. Yehuda was the son of Shim'on, man of Kriyot  "Ish Kriyot"( or Kerioth/ Queriot).  Yehuda's place of origin is close to Hebron.

Here are the ruins of Horvath Kerioth, probably the place of origin of Shim'on, Yehudah's father.

Did Yehudah partake Yeshua's Last Meal?

It may sound like a shocker , but the Gospels point at Yehuda Ish Kerioth's paticipation to Yeshua's Last Meal.

In the Gospel of John, the Last Meal appears to the reader as a turning point, that is actually a point of no return. It gives me the chills to think that our Lord had His whole destiny before His eyes. He knew everything and Yehudah's heart was unveiled before Him.

"Before the Festival of Pesach, when Yeshua knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to His Father, just as He loved his chosen ones who were in the world, so did He love them until the end." John 13:1

Note that " his chosen ones" also includes Yehudah. Yeshua kept loving him, although he knew that he was the one who would bring him to his painful death.

It is during the common meal that Yeshua is sharing with His disciples that the enemy takes possession of Yehudah's heart.

"At the evening, the satan placed it in the heart of Yehudah ben Shim'on Ish Kriyot to betray him" John 13:2

Luke first puts an emphasis on the priests' evil intent then underlines Yehuda's demonic possession- but there is another detail that is so often overlooked: Yeshua was very popular among the people of Israel. The simple folks of Israel had witnessed His signs and miracles and believed in Him. 
The leading priests and scholars knew that they had to use a mean trick to get rid of Yeshua.

"The Festival of Matzot, that is the Festival of Pesach, drew near. The leading priests and scholars were seeking a way to kill him, because they were afraid of the people.
Then the satan entered Yehudah who is called Ish Kriyot. He was one of the twelve. He went out and deliberared with the leading priests and the rulers about how he would hand him over to them. They rejoiced and agreed to give him money."


The fulfilling of the New Covenant

The following picture seems to depict the solemn moment during which Yeshua envisions His Sacrifice and the Redemption of mankind. Now the words of prophet Jeremiah are coming true through our Messiah's mouth:

"Hinei, the days come, said Hashem, that I will cut a Brit Chadasha ( a New Alliance) with Bais Yisroel ( the House of Israel) and with Bais Yehudah ( the House of Judah).
Not according to the Brit ( Covenant or Alliance) that I cut with their Avot (Fathers) in the day that I took hold of their yad ( hand) to take them out of Eretz Mitzraim ( Egypt), which my Brit ( Alliance) they broke although I was Ba'al ( Husband) to them, said Hashem.
Bur this shall be the Brit ( Alliance) that I will cut with Bais Yisroel; after those days, said Hashem, I will set my Torah in them inwardly and I will write ketuvim ( writings) on their hearts; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people." Jeremiah, Chapter 31 verses 31-33, Orthodox Jewish Bible

The complex timing of Yeshua's Last Supper in the Gospels

When reading the Gospels' part about Yeshua's Last Meal and the celebration of Pesach, I am truly placed before an enigma. Yet everything seems to indicate that there is a difference between the official Pesach and Yeshua's Last Supper, for several, quite obvious reasons.
Also it is clear that Yeshua didn't go through the whole week of Pesach, because He died before the end of the Festival of Matzot.
When I asked Yeshua: "Why didn't you go through the whole celebration?", He answered to me:
"Because I was the Lamb".

The more I study Scriptures in context, the less I am convinced that Yeshua died on a Friday. 
I used to believe it a great part of my life, but getting deeper into the very meaning of some Tanakh prophecies and having a better knowledge of Jewish customs leads me to think that Yeshua's crucifixion could have happened much earlier. Please not that " Erev Shabbat" , Shabbat Eve does not only refer to Friday night, but to the eve of any Jewish feast that is also called " Shabbat".
Does it matter to reflect upon the dates of crucifixion and resurrection of our Messiah? 
Yes, it DOES MATTER. While some people would probably argue that these details are of no importance, I am rather convinced of the contrary.

Why?

1. Our Messiah is Jewish. His deeds and His sayings only make sense when put into the right context.
2. Our Messiah came to fulfill some important Tanakh prophecies. The sign of Jonah is one of them. If Yeshua was laid to rest on Friday, He could not have spent three days and three nights inside of the earth's belly.
3. Yeshua's crucifixion, death and resurrection are the most important events in mankind's history and they still have some implications in our modern world.

Yeshuda's betrayal kiss. Motives of betrayal.

"Then one of the twelven whose name was Yehudah Ish Kerioth went to the leading priests. He said, " What will you give me to hand Him over to you?" They counted 30 pieces of silver for him and from that moment, he sought for an opportunity to betray him." Matthew 26:14-16

Meaning of the kiss in Hebrew culture

A lot of texts from the Bible actually show that a kiss is usually a mark of reverence towards a person.  The following, very detailed Hebraic and Torah-based source teaches us that there is even MUCH MORE significance in the act of kissing. 
It seems to be linked with LOYALTY, in particular. So kissing Yeshua in this tragic moment is like slapping Him right in the Face.

Quoting the website mentioned above:

"According to the Torah, a kiss is more than just a greeting; it represents loyalty. In the book of Exodus, God instructs Aaron to work with Moses to free the Israelites. Aaron greets Moses with a kiss. The kiss signifies their loyalty to each other, God and their faith. By working together, Aaron and Moses were able to free the Israelites."

Here one understands better the terrible act Yehudah committed against Yeshua.


Yehuda's motives for handing over Yeshua: the greed for money or is it something else?



Yehudah happened to be the group of disciples' accountant. John  describes Yehudah as a greedy person and a thief.

Yehudah's description appears in John, Chapter 12, during the episode of Miryam pouring expensive perfume upon Yeshua:

"One of the disciples, Yehudah ben Shim'on Ish Kriyot who would betray Him said: "Why was the perfume not sold for three hundred dinarim and given to the poor?
He did not say this out of compassion for the poor, but because he was a thief.
The money purse was in his hand and he took from what they placed in it".

( John 12: 4-6)

While John's description seems to imply that Yehudah was a dishonest person, Matthew also informs us that after envisoning what he had done in betraying his Master that Yehudah felt some remorse.
Yehudah gave the money back.

We can make the assumption that maybe he tried to save Yeshua's life by giving the money back to the leading priests. If this hypothesis is true, then it would also explain why he hanged himself after he understood that Yeshua would be sent to an horrible treatment and death, whatever he would do to cancel the consequences of his treason.
Yehudah knew that what he had done was terrible and he was so much desperate that he didn't believe in Yeshua's forgiveness any more. His suicide is the image of hell's despair.

You may hate Yehudah for his horrible treason. But take one minute to look at the story in a more mature and detached way ( understand that it happened this way because it was in Hashem's Salvation plan).

There is a human drama going on. A man was seduced by the devil, but in a moment of clarity, he realizes the implications of his betrayal. He is feeling some remorse and decides that Yeshua didn't deserve to suffer and die in such a horrible way. 
He would like to make it good again and is convinced that the restitution of the 30 silver coins will ensure Yeshua's freedom.
He then faces the elder's wickedness and understands that, no matter what he will do from now on, His innocent Master will be condemned to death.
In this moment, Yehudah doesn't believe in Yeshua's forgiveness anymore. He is so desperate and knows that Satan has trapped him for good. Hopeless, the man hangs himself on a tree.

Yehuda's motives for betrayal

It is quite hard to determine what really motivated the man to betray his Master.

John underlines some of his character traits that clearly tell us that Yehudah was open to corruption. He stole and kept some money that belonged to the community of disciples.
However there might also have been some underlying, more subtle motives:

• We have to bear in mind that many of the disciples expected in the person of the Messiah a person who would physically liberate them from the Roman oppressers. Many simple people in Israel also hoped for the King Messiah to be crowned. Remember that Yeshua fled from the crowd to avoid this. At some point, Yehudah probably stopped believing that Yeshua was the Anointed.

• Since Yehudah used to cheat with money and was opened to corruption, the enemy used his love for money to get him lost.

It is very interesting to put the translation of the OJB ( Orthodox Jewish Bible) of Psalm 41:10 in correlation with Luke 22:21

"Yea mine own ish Shalom ( familiar friend, close friend), in whom I trusted which did eat of my lechem ( bread) had lifted up his heel (i.e, deceitfully showed enmity) against me." Psalm 41:10

In Luke 22, verse 21, Yeshua states:

"But look, the hand of the one betraying me is on the table. For yes, the Son of Man is going just as it has been determined concerning Him, but how terrible for that man by whom He will be betrayed!"

Note the expression " Ish Shalom", "man of peace" in Psalm 41. When Yehudah kisses Yeshua, he greets Him with "Shalom rabbi".

An occidental mind would say: " no big deal!" Well yes, it is a BIG DEAL. There is more to the word Shalom than just a "hello". When you wish "Shalom" upon a person, you also wish upon her well-being. Yehudah was Yeshua's "Ish Shalom", man of confidence who ate His bread daily. Yedudah tasted His daily kindness, but at some point, he probably stopped valuing it.

During the dramatic scene in Gethsemane where Yeshudah hugs Yeshua ( which is considered as reverence and trust from Torah-observant people), his mouth wishes upon His Master's well-being while his heart years for Yeshua's total demise. 

Yehudah's act had very tragic consequences, but allowed Hashem's plan to be fulfilled for the sake of mankind.

May Yeshua our Messiah guard our hearts and souls in His immense goodness for us to stay true to Him before He returns. Amen.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling

Take one minute to thank Hashem

The Good News, media reports from the 1st Century

The original name for "gospel" in Hebrew is besorah.

The Hebrew word בּשׂוֹרה contains the root בּשׂר, which means "flesh". In fact, a gospel is a testimony of our Messiah coming in flesh. The Hebrew versions of the Gospels are titled " Habesorah al pi.." ( testimony from the mouth of), plus the name of its author. The Gospel of John, for instance is called "Habesorah al pi Yochanan". In some versions, you may also find  " Habesorah hakdosha", the "Holy Gospel".

Because some people often complain that the Gospels are " contradictory" or that details don't match together on similar episodes of Yeshua's life, I was motivated to compare at least three Gospels and to point at the common points and differences. You will see, through the following study, that the different stories are not contradictory, but rather complementary.

One must bear in mind that the Gospels were written between 60 and 100 in the 1st Century. They are accurate reports of Yeshua's deeds and sayings.
The reader must also understand that the description also varies according to the writer's vision and perception of Yeshua, but it is also conditioned by the target audience the writer intends to reach.
We know as a fact that Matthew ( Mattei in Hebrew, who is also known as Levi, the tax collector) wanted to reach out to the Jewish community. Therefore, the words Matthew uses refer mostly to Hebrew concepts.

I've chosen to compare the story of Yeshua announcing His death and resurrection to the twelve in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Report Nr 1 author: Matthew 

Taken out of the Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels

Matthew 20:17-19

"When Yeshua went up to Yerushalayim, he took the twelve to himself alone and said to them on the road."Look, we are going up to Yerushalayim and the Son of Man will be handed over to the leading priests and the scholars, and they will condemn him to die. They will hand him over to the Gentiles and mock him, to strike him with whips and to crucify him, but on the third day, he will rise."

and in Hebrew:

ויהי כּעלות ישׁוּע ירוּשׁלים ויקח אליו את שׁנים העשׂר לבדם ויאמר להם בּדרך׃ הננוּ עֹלים ירוּשׁלים וּבן־האדם ימסר לראשׁי הכֹּהנים ולסופרים והרשׁיעהוּ למוּת׃ וּמסרוּ לגוֹים להתלבּוֹ וּלהכּוֹת אוֹתוֹ בּשׁוֹטים ולצלֹב אוֹתוֹ וּביוֹם השׁלישׁי יקוּם


Report Nr 2 author : Mark  

Mark 10: 32-35

"On the road, as they went up to Yerushalayim, Yeshua was walking ahead of them. They were alarmed, walking behind him anxiously. Once more, he took the twelve to himself and he began to tell them what would happen, saying:"Look, we are going to Yerushalayim and the son of man will be handed over to the leading priests and the scholars, and they will condemn him to die. They will hand him over to the Gentiles.They will mock him , strike him with whips, spit in his face. But on the third day, he will surely rise."

in Hebrew:

ויחי בּדרך בּעלוֹת ירוּשׁלים וישׁוּע הוֹלך לפניהם והמהנבהלים והוֹלכים אחריו בּחרדה ויוֹסף לקחת אליו את־שׁנים העשׂר ויחל להגיד להם ־אשׁר יקרהוּ לאמֹר ׃ הנה אנחנוּ עֹלים ירוּשׁלים וּבן־האדם ימסר לראשׁי הכּכֹּהנים ולסוֹפרים וירשׁיעהוּ למוּת אֹתוֹ לגוֹים׃ויהתלוּ בוֹ ויכּהוּ בשׁוֹתים וירקוּ בּפניו וימיתהוּ וּביוֹם השׁלישׁי קוֹם יקוּם

Report Nr 3: author Luke

Luke 18: 31-34

" He took the twelve to himself, and said to them,

Look, we are going to Yerushalayim, and all that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and they will mock him and spit in his face. They will strike him with whips and put him to death, but on the third day, he will surely rise.They did not understand a simple word of this. This word was hidden from them and they did not know what he was saying to them.

in Hebrew:

                                                                                                            ויקח אליו את־ שׁנים העשׂר ויאמר להם

הנני עֹלים ירוּשׁלים וכל־הכּתוּב בּידי הנביאים  על בּן־האדם ימלא׃ כּי ימסר לגוֹים והתלוּ בוֹ והתעלללוּ  וירקוּ בּפניו׃והכּוּהוּ בשׁוֹטים והמיתוּהוּ וּביוֹם השׁלישׁי קוֹם יקוּם 


Here we have the same story, viewed from three different angles.

Main common points and differences between the three Gospel accounts

While we know as a certainty that Matthew wrote essentially for a Hebrew-speaking, Jewish audience, Mark and Matthew seem to have targeted Gentile believers much more.
It appears quite clearly in the Gospel of Luke, where the high priests and the scholars are left out completely, that there is rather an emphasis on Yeshua being handed over to the Gentiles. 

So now let us have a look at the common points between all 3 versions:

• Yeshua takes the twelve to Himself
• all versions in Hebrew conclude with the future form יקוּם, He will rise. On an interesting sidenote, I discovered that יקוּם can also be used as a noun. When used as a noun, it carries the meaning of macrocosm, universe, living things of the Creation and of space.
• Yeshua announces precise details about torture, death and resurrection ( Mark and Luke will indicate that the Messiah will be spat at which fulfills Isaiah's prophecy:

"My back I have given to those smiting. And my cheeks to those plucking out. My face I hid not from shame and spitting." Isaiah 50:6

Here is a list of discrepancies that seem to arise throughout the different versions. However , I do think that precisely these differences allow us to have complementary views on the same story.

• Mark underlines the disciples' anxiousness. He is telling us that they were alarmed. The twelve understand that Yeshua is going to make an important statement.
• Mark and Matthew both mention that the leading priests and scholars will condemn Yeshua to die.
• Luke sheds lights on the lack of comprehension from the disciple's side. Yeshua's words are sealed. One could ask if they understood the Messianic meaning of the expression " Ben Adam", Son of Man. Luke also insists very much on the fulfilling of the prophecies: all that is written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. One is also entitled to ask if the twelve were acquainted with the prophecies of Scripture Yeshua mentions. If so, did they understand that these prophecies would come true through Yeshua? Luke implies that they had no clue about what our Messiah was saying.

Each writer has his way of narrating the same story. Matthew knew Yeshua personally as He walked the earth. He was one of the twelve disciples. His eye has seen the deeds and his ears have heard the sayings of our Messiah. 

Some people attribute the Gospel of Mark to Shim'on Kepha ( Peter), while some others think that the facts recorded in the Gospel of Mark were reported by an adolescent indirectly ( he was told about Yeshua, but didn't encounter our Savior physically during the 1st Century.) Nevertheless, Mark is providing us with numerous details.

We know of Luke that he was a doctor and that his Gospel is a tell-all book from what he's been told about Yeshua.

All three exerpts provided by the Gospel writers can compare articles from the press.

It must have been challenging to record precise facts years after Yeshua's death and resurrection, because our memory is less accurate in detail as time passes by. As a writer I am very much aware of that and I realized the difficulty of it when I started writing about my own grandma. Some memories had just faded out with time. One can assume that the Gospel writers might have written about Yeshua earlier, but that they completed  their work in order to show it to a public audience many years later.

Their message about our Lord and Savior never faded out, though. It brought many people to Salvation over the centuries. May this number increase in abundance, before our Messiah returns in glory. Amen.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling

A rabbi on my path ( from "Heart of a Savior")

During my walk, I had repeated this hassidic melody that was on my mind. The Hebrew words were just flowing out of my mouth, creating and re-creating an abundant flow of syllables in the loving presence of Hashem.

The Hebrew language got me plugged in again. My feet were on earth, but my soul was walking in Heaven.

On my way back home, I noticed some old rabbi before me heading towards the same direction as I-or so I thought.

Several times, the old rabbi looked backwards and also went backwards, which gave me the occasion to observe him. He looked like one of these old men of wisdom. His hair was mixed, brown and gray.

As he seemed to turn over for the third time, I asked him: “ are you looking for a specific place, Sir?”

The rabbi glanced at me and smiled. I could read much loving kindness inside of him. He replied to me: “ No, thank you.” And the beautiful smile he let me see remained in his face. His traits strangely reminded me of the rabbi from my hometown, who died a few years ago. I read so much kindness and humbleness in this man who accidentally crossed my road.

I had sung songs of Heaven and Yeshua had sent me a rabbi to show me a reflection of His own mercies.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling