From the Publisher

Rabbi, Jesus, Jewish, God, Bible, study, Christian, faith, customs, beliefs, traditions, culture

Ray Vander Laan, Rabbi, Jesus, Jewish, God, Bible, study, Christian, faith, customs, beliefs

You will be deeply challenged as you discover the implications of Jesus’ teaching for your daily walk.

While Lois Tverberg supports each chapter with careful analysis of contemporary scholarship, ancient sources, and recent archaeological discovery, as you read you will feel as if you are on a journey back to the world of Jesus.

You will see the beauty of the silvery green olive trees on the Galilean hills, feel the rocky path under your feet, and smell the dust as you follow the Rabbi. You will hear the sages discussing the Torah as their disciples listen and will discover the greatest interpreter of all ... Jesus the Messiah. For he is not only God incarnate, but also the Word incarnate. His life is in a real sense the Word — the Bible — in living flesh.

And you will be challenged to become ever more passionate about being his disciple — having the faith of Jesus. So come along with us and follow in the dust of Jesus — the Jewish Rabbi — of Scripture.

—Ray Vander Laan, author and founder of That the World May Know Ministries

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“What Tverberg uncovers brings Scripture to light in contextual, astonishing ways. She makes me hunger to dig deeper in the meaning of the Word.”

—Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts

“Her knowledge of Jewish customs, scholarship, language, and culture is astounding, and her writing style is accessible.... I cannot recommend it enough.”

—Rachel Held Evans, author of The Year of Biblical Womanhood

“I hope that this book will do for you what it has already done for me — whet your appetite for more.”

—Ann Spangler, author of Women of the Bible and coauthor of Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus

Part I: Hearing Our Rabbi’s Words with New Ears

What would it be like to listen to Jesus’ earth-shattering words through the ears of a first-century disciple? The first thing you’d notice is how Jewish they are. His greatest commandments begin with the Shema, the core statement of Jewish faith.

Part II: Living Out the Words of Rabbi Jesus

Sometimes you have to admit that Jesus’ words are a puzzle. Why does he warn against having a “bad eye”? Why pray about “hallowing God’s name”? When you know the Jewish idioms he used and the ideas that he built on, you can discover fresh, practical insights for living as his disciples today.

Part III: Studying the Word with Rabbi Jesus

Jesus taught among a people who knew their Scriptures intimately, who regarded study as a form of worship. They found in its lines endless new insights, yet realized that God still did not reveal every answer. Like others, Jesus drew from the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.