Presenting Jesus Bundle

It is inarguable that few names are as well known in the world as the name of Jesus, but who was he, really?

There are many worthy commentaries of the Gospels in existence, but most of them do not seek to present Jesus as he appeared on Earth—during his early life, in his culture, and among his own Jewish people.

What happened over the ages that caused the world to begin to see Jesus as a son of Greece instead of an observant Jew? What have we lost by seeing his life and work out of context?

Volume 1 of this commentary explores the conception, uncovers the true dialogue about the virgin birth and reveals the incredible unknown life of Jesus the child.

• Who were these mysterious shepherds, and why were they unlike all the other shepherds? Were the Wise Men really Babylonian Sorcerers? How did they recognize the birth of the King of the Jews?
• What is this undeniable connection Jesus has to the Feast of Tabernacles, and why are the Gospels so silent regarding his Jewish education?
• We meet John the Baptist and discover how his message was skewed by early interpreters, and see how in some ways Jesus seems to relive the history of the Nation of Israel.

Volume II of this commentary explores the ministry miracles and teachings of Jesus.

• Who were Jesus’ Disciples? How did he choose them? What were they expecting him to be?
• Explore the depth of Jewish tradition and matrimony through the story of Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana.
• Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. How was this temptation similar to the temptation in the Garden of Eden? What is Satan’s actual role on Earth?
• What was the reason for money changers in the Temple? If theirs was an accepted practice, why did Jesus drive them out? Did the Pharisees and Sadducees agree with the practice of moneychanging and selling animals on Temple grounds, or were they happy to see Jesus purge them?

Volume III of this commentary explores the healing miracles of Jesus and the Sabbath.

Accounts of divine healing are recorded throughout the Bible, not only in New Testament times. It was not confined to first-century believers in Jesus. Divine healing is available for God’s people today. What can we learn and apply today from the events surrounding Jesus’ healing miracles?

In the beginning, God declared the Sabbath to be holy. God commanded his people to “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Do those who claim to be His followers today, honor the Sabbath and keep it holy?

What did the prophets have to say about the Sabbath? What does the New Testament say about the Sabbath? In this context, we can better understand the relationship Bible believing Gentiles should have to the Sabbath.

Presenting Jesus, the Son of Israel – a Jewish Commentary on the Gospels answers all these questions and brings to light the beautiful intricacies of early Judaism and the effect they had on the life of Jesus, whose existence and purpose changed the world in a way in which no other has ever done since.

VOLUME IV of this commentary explores Jesus' teaching recorded in chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew, known as "The Sermon on the Mount," is paralleled in chapter 6 of Luke, where it states Jesus taught a multitude "on the plain." Regardless of whether Jesus taught from a mountain (which is not clear in Matthew's text) or from a plain (which Luke does make clear), Jesus' teaching in these chapters contains some of the most quoted and beloved words in the New Testament.

In Presenting Jesus: the Son of Israel Volume IV, author Rivi Litvin proposes an alternate title for this selection of Jesus' teaching: "Jesus' Exposition on the Torah."

The subjects Jesus teaches are distinctly Jewish and are discussed in the Torah, other parts of the Tanach, or in the Mishnah (Oral Torah). These teachings frequently appear in rabbinic literature and are considered essential to Jewish religious practice and piety.

The "Sermon on the Mount" represents Jesus' interpretation of the righteousness demanded by the Torah. Jesus did not present a new law. As far as Jesus was concerned, there was only one law—God Almighty's law, the Torah.

He told them: "Not even one jot or tittle would vanish until all of it would be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18)

Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law. "Fulfillment" in the Bible does not mean "finished, done away with, or no longer needed." Rather, it means "to fill to the full!"

When related to the Torah, fulfillment means "bringing it to its highest level," and that is what Jesus said he came to do.

In providing these teachings, Jesus also fulfilled Isaiah 2:3, which states: "And he will teach us of his ways."

Volume V of this commentary explores Jesus' use of parables, His commissioning of the disciples, and the awe-inspiring presence of God known as the Shekinah are central to the Gospel narratives. In Presenting Jesus: the Son of Israel, Volume V, author Rivi Litvin continues to uncover the deeply Jewish roots of Jesus’ ministry.

Litvin demonstrates that Jesus did not invent parabolic teaching to conceal His message from the masses. Instead, He utilized the traditional rabbinic Mashal (parable) to boldly illustrate the truths of God's Kingdom, ensuring His audience could clearly understand the Torah and put it into practice.

When Jesus sent out the twelve—and later the seventy—He commissioned them as Shlichim (messengers). They carried His full delegated authority to heal the sick and preach repentance to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel".

He instructed them: "Freely you received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8). This teaching echoed the rabbinic understanding that one must not charge a fee for teaching the word of God.

Litvin also explores the profound mystery of the Shekinah. The Shekinah is the visible, physical manifestation of God's presence on earth. Just as it appeared to Moses at Mount Sinai, the disciples witnessed this radiant glory during the Transfiguration—a powerful glimpse of the light that will one day cover all of Jerusalem in the Messianic era.