April 25, 2007
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Our Brothers and Sisters
A close friend sent this link to a video today. I believe that it is important to watch and understand. This is from Israeli Channel 2 TV and is about Israelis that believe in Jesus. So often we, as Christians and followers of Jesus, forget that Jesus was Jewish, a Jewish Rabbi and teacher, in fact……..even more than that……He is the Son of God, our Savior, God Himself in the flesh come to redeem His people….us. We cannot fully understand Jesus…unless we understand the world and culture in which He lived. God’s story as told in the Scriptures is for all people.
One of the topics I will be speaking this weekend at the “Elements” Retreat in Daytona Beach about the Scriptures, is about the story of God…about the five act play that is revealed in the Holy Scriptures….
1. Creation….
2. The fall….
3. Israel (After the fall, God chose Israel, narrowed His focus and concentrated on this group of people to carry His message…always with the same ultimate goal: To bless all the people on earth, remove the curse from creation and to restore the original relationship that existed in the garden).
4. Jesus
5.The new people of God
Take a moment to view this short 8 minute video, it is a powerful testimony to a powerful and loving God. I would note that in this video these Messianic Jews reject being called “Christians”. I can understand from the perspective that over the centuries we have seemed to take the Jewishness out of Jesus and His followers, transforming Him into many things He wasn’t. To fully understand Jesus teachings, indeed the wisdom of God….we must understand the context and culture in which His words were uttered.
May God bless you and keep you close as we follow together in His wisdom and footsteps, being a part of the redemption and healing of this world by following our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.View the Video from Israeli Channel 2 News
What do you think?
Comments (7)
The thing that jumped out at me was the intolerance of the ultra orthodox Jews. It’s scary how people will kill one another in the name of religion. I also wonder since they reject the label “christian” how much their view differ from what we consider over here “orthodox.”
ryc Ron: Good questions. I am constantly appalled by the thought of killing for God, religion or beliefs. I would love to hear more from someone who knows the answer to this question, “since they reject the label “Christian” how much their view differ from what we consider over here “orthodox.”" Thank you my friend for joining the discussion
God bless!
>I would love to hear more from someone who knows the answer to this question, “since they reject the label “Christian” how much their view differ from what we consider over here “orthodox.”
It is pretty easy to find the answer to this. The Messianic Jews are loyal Israelis and loyal Jews even though they are often rejected by elements within the traditional Jewish community. It is understandable – that there would be fear – or better yet “turf protection” on their part. after all, the persecution of Jews by Christians is a sad and shameful part of the history of the church, and these folks are seen by some of the
“anti-missionary” leaders among the traditional Jewish community, as a threat – they believe, at lest in the U.S.A. that the Messianics will lead Jews away from their traditions. This has happened in many cases where Jews assimilated into the church.
There is a new movement afoot now though,m where thousands of Jewish people are staying loyal and even learning MORE about their Jewish heritage, while maintaining faith in Yeshua as the Messiah. There are hundreds of congregations around the world.
For additional resources, see:
http://www.umjc.org
http://www.mjaa.org/
The church has been awakening to an awareness of these brothers and sisters who
embrace the “Man from Galilee” while remaining firmly connected to their heritage
and culture. Celebrating the Biblical festivals that were never taken away by the Lord.
There are many good books available on these subjects for those interested.
See:
http://www.messianicjewish.net/
We are only scratching the surface of understanding the continued importance
and role in the world of these “SIGN PEOPLE” according to Scripture, and whom
Zechariah describes as the “Apple of God’s Eye.”
Romans Chapter 9 through 11 has much to say to use about them – and these are
passages from which you will RARELY hear any sermons preached in most churches.
Yet they explain a great deal that we ought to understand. God has not discarded
them, and he is not finished with them in his plan.
In fact Jesus tells us that he will return to a city in Israel named Jerusalem
which will WELCOME his return, saying to him : “Blessed is He that comes in
the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23)
I hope that helps.
Peace & happiness to you all – Bry
ryc Bry: Thank you so much for your insight and comments I certainly need to look at Romans 9 through 11. Thanks for the links. I will check them out. God bless! By the way, it sure was fun last night at Grace and Grits!
I emailed the link to a friend studying Hebrew in Jerusalem and his reply was that he personally knows most of the people interviewed on the link.
wow– i’ve converted it to .wma and burned it to cd – if you know of anyone who would benefit, i’d be glad to help
Pamilvr told me to check out this post… I’m SO GLAD I did.
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My friends from Israel (they live there) had told me that they had seen on the news this very broadcast you have here, but I had not seen it yet (I didn’t know it was up on the net!) Thank you so much for posting it!
Blessings!
Angela
Oh, and there are differences between the people who call themselves Messianic, some people don’t mind being called Christians and others do. And they sometimes have different reasons.