Daily Devotionals

Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit (John 15:5).

Every year, as we come to the end of the High Holy Days, we come to the intriguing feast called Shemini Atzeret (the Eighth Day Assembly). The Torah says that at the conclusion of the seven-day celebration of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) we are to add an extra day (Leviticus 23:39). While this eighth day is designated as an "assembly," it may also be translated as "abiding or waiting."

Rashi, the medieval rabbinic commentator, likens the celebration to a king who held a banquet for his friends. It was so wonderful that when it came time to depart, the king pleaded with his friends not to leave but to abide just one more day in his presence. Such is the purpose of Shemini Atzeret. It is as if, even after all the wonderful fall Holy Days, God himself is pleading with his people to stay in his presence just a little longer.

The Messiah used this concept to teach his disciples of their need to stay connected to him. The only hope of a victorious messianic life is for Yeshua's followers to stay connected to him in a dynamic way. We must abide in his precepts (John 15:7), in his power (John 15:5), and in his presence (John 15:9) if we are to experience all that God intends for us. The Messiah does not want us to leave him. Have we learned the lesson of Shemini Atzeret by abiding in Yeshua in our daily walk?

...abide with Yeshua by putting aside my own ways and letting Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) guide me in the ways of the King.

BK