The Sabbath: Is it observed on Sunday or Saturday? Is it a day of rest, worship, or both? Who is it truly for—Jews, Christians, or everyone? Are the ancient Sabbath laws still relevant today? What insights does the Bible provide? If profound questions like these cross your mind, then join Aaron and Rachel Eby as they delve into these topics, sharing their experiences as a Jewish family observing the traditional Jewish Sabbath every Saturday. Aaron, a senior educator at First Fruits of Zion, and Rachel, a prolific writer for Messiah Online and Messiah Magazine, offer a unique perspective as Jewish followers of Jesus. Together, they guide us through understanding the Sabbath from a Messianic Jewish viewpoint.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► In this episode you’ll discover why the Sabbath was sanctified at creation long before the Jewish people existed, and what it truly means for a day to be “holy.”

► Traditional Jewish Sabbath observance goes beyond just refraining from work and includes the thirty-nine categories of prohibited creative acts. The Ebys explain the purpose behind these detailed boundaries and how this meticulous structure is designed not to be a burden but to deepen your awareness of God's holiness, transforming how you experience time and life itself.

► The Sabbath serves as a rehearsal for the World to Come, a time to step back from our relentless pursuit of achievement and reconnect with God's eternal promises. Aaron and Rachel share personal insights into how Shabbat fosters community, nurtures family bonds, and cultivates a sense of delight. They discuss suggestions for engaging children and incorporating joy, even amid a busy, screen-saturated culture. They offer encouragement for non-Jews: even small steps like lighting candles or setting aside moments of reflection can infuse life with spiritual meaning and cultural richness.

This episode isn’t just about understanding a religious practice; it’s about rediscovering a rhythm of life that can profoundly shape your faith, your family, and your worldview. Whether you’re Jewish, exploring the faith, or simply curious about a tradition rooted in divine wisdom, these insights open a path toward sacred time and a deeper connection with the Creator. Don’t miss this invitational journey into the life-changing power of the Sabbath.

🔖 Chapters

00:00 Significance of the Sabbath

7:18 The Nature of Holiness

12:20 Changed to Sunday?

18:46 Was Saturday the Original Sabbath?

20:35 Spiritual Growth and the Sabbath

32:51 Experiential Knowledge

36:39 The Sabbath's Weekly Rhythm

41:03 The Jewish Prohibitions of the Sabbath

54:39 Navigating Shabbat with Children

01:05:14 Advice for Jews and Gentiles

👉 Resources:

► Messiah Magazine #35

►Why Did Charlie Kirk Love the Sabbath So Much?

► From Sabbath to Sabbath

► HaYesod, The Sabbath

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

As tensions continue to ferment in the Middle East, God has called some from among his flock to bring the gospel of the kingdom to the Muslim world. Our guest today, Stephanie Quick of the Emmaus Table, is a writer, teacher, songwriter, recording artist, cinematographer, filmmaker, and fierce advocate of Israel with rare and unusual political equilibrium, and a true and loyal friend to dogs everywhere. She's here to tell us about how the Emmaus Table is proclaiming the gospel in its original apocalyptic Jewish context to audiences in the Middle East and around the world.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► The Gospel’s Jewish Context in the Muslim World: Stephanie emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the “gospel of the kingdom” within its original apocalyptic Jewish context, even to the Muslim world.

► Founding of the Emmaus Table: After years with Frontier Alliance International (FAI), Stephanie helped transition their public-facing efforts into “The Emmaus Table.” The new collaborative “dinner table” model provides a free and growing resource library, including films, teaching, and music.

► The Covenant and Controversy Framework: A central theme of her work is navigating the “controversy of Zion.” She posits that God’s faithfulness to his everlasting covenant with Israel is the foundation for a Christian’s personal security; if God were to renege on his promises to the Jewish people, believers would have no basis to trust his promises to them.

🔖 Chapters

00:00 Living through Conflicts with Iran

05:52 Journey to the Middle East: A Personal Calling

11:10 Missions and Filmmaking in the Muslim World

22:16 The Emmaus Table: A Collaborative Initiative

29:29 Understanding the Gospel of the Kingdom

37:10 The Incomplete Gospel and Its Implications

42:44 The Wire: Geopolitics through a Maranatha Lens

45:16 The Inkwell: A Devotional and Teaching Platform

48:26 The Global Bible Study: Weekly Teachings and Insights

49:48 Death + Kingdom: A Musical Exploration of Resurrection

👉 Resources:

► Emmaus Table

► Covenant and controversy: The Great Reign

FFOZ at the Emmaus Table

https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/ffoz-at-the-emmaus-table

https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/drawn-from-flame-and-water

https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/sojourners-and-exiles

SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

https://www.facebook.com/theemmaustable.world

X and IG at: @quicklikesand

Music Albums to explore on your favorite streaming service

► The Death of Death: Death + Kingdom Vol. I

► Ballads of Song of Solomon

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

For those of us who read the Bible from a Messianic Jewish perspective, 1 Peter presents a problem. On the surface, Peter seems to be telling an audience of Gentiles that they, and not Israel, are now the chosen people. Dr. Kelly Liebengood has recently released a manuscript called Reading 1 Peter after Supersessionism, in which he shares his research on Peter’s inclusive language. Gentile followers of Jesus have always faced a challenge when forming a new identity, but the nature of this new identity does not preclude the continuing status of Israel as the people of God. Join us as we wrestle through post-supersessionist scholarship to find the message of Peter that applies even today.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► The Concept of “Gentile Israelhood” is a concept Dr. Liebengood uses to express that Gentile believers are invited into a shared identity where they belong to the God of Israel. Dr. Liebengood argues they are “grafted-in” to Israel’s story without erasing their own Gentile identity or stealing the unique status of the Jewish people.

► The Challenge of Audience Identification in 1 Peter is a scholarly tug-of-war. A Jewish audience fits the letter’s “national” language but contradicts descriptions of the readers’ former pagan ignorance; conversely, a Gentile audience risks supporting “replacement theology” unless read through a post-supersessionist lens. How can this tension be resolved?

► A post-supersessionist reading of 1 Peter underscores the trustworthiness of God. The debate over 1 Peter is ultimately about the character of God. If God were to abandon his specific promises to Israel to start over with a new group, he would be fundamentally untrustworthy. A post-supersessionist reading ensures that God is seen as a faithful promise-keeper to all.

🔖 Chapters

00:00 Kelly's Journey to Post-Supersessionism

13:22 1 Peter and the Significance of Audience

07:56 Understanding Suffering in 1 Peter

19:03 Theological Implications of Audience Interpretation

26:29 Understanding “Israelhood”

31:42 Challenges of Gentile Identity Formation

34:21 Viewing Peter's Audience as Converts

39:48 Dating 1 Peter

44:32 Suffering in 1 Peter

48:10 Ecclesiology and Gentile Identity

51:24 Future Directions in Scholarship

1:00:20 Theological Implications for Gentile Followers

1:05:10 Re-narrating the Bible’s Bigger Picture

1:07:57 The Need for Dialogue in Scholarship

👉 Resources:

► Reading 1 Peter after Supersessionism, Dr. Kelly Liebengood

► Dismantling Replacement Theology

► Biblical Blueprint of Peoplehood

► Israel – Forgetfulness

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.