To make the celebration of Messiah’s birth common by cakes, balloons, and yard signs seems unfitting for a King, and in some ways, feels like a mockery of just how revolutionary the announcement was.

In the book of Matthew, chapter 13, you find Yeshua the Messiah teaching parables to the people. After teaching the parable of the sower, you learn why He taught parables to the people but spoke plainly to the disciples.

Whenever I see these expressions in Scripture I feel motivated to understand what God is saying, but it also helps me to understand why others don’t seem to understand.  God has blocked some from understanding because they are not motivated toward God. 

One of the fascinating themes throughout Scripture is the reference to bread. It is a staple in the human diet in just about every culture in the world. The Appointed Times of the Lord contain elements of bread in their celebration, and the Lord climaxed His teachings at His last Passover by saying He was the bread of life.

The Messiah was in the cloud; He led the children of Israel out of Egypt. He is the One who leads us to the Father and His Instruction (the Torah). He is the One who builds the tabernacle in our hearts and inhabits it. He is the One who takes us to the Promised Land. The same cloud was there when the disciples heard the voice of the Father say, “This is my beloved Son...”

Defining leadership is a little like nailing jello to the wall. It is a very elusive and slippery proposition. Most people are unable to give a verbal definition. They know that leadership involves many things. It is about good judgment and decision-making. It is about inspiring others to accomplish more than they thought they could or keep them focused on a task through to completion.