Hebraic
Musing – Why are Non-Jews are drawn
to Messianic Judaism?
Years ago my wife and daughter
were attending Messianic fellowships, and eventually I too was drawn to
them. And I found those fellowships to
be rich in meaning, fervor and recognition of God’s master plan for His
people. Here’s Rabbi Derek Leman’s
preface to his blog that helped me understand the appeal of the Messianic
fellowships that drew my family. – “This
describes why I found myself drawn to a messianic fellowship. However many Christian groups are concerned
that moving towards Judaism is moving away from Christianity. Nothing could be
further from the truth.”
Forty years ago I, Joe, accepted
Christ as my Lord when I fell to my knees and said “Jesus Christ, you are real and I need to learn more about you.” That statement drove me to study the Bible
and doing so revealed to me that from Abraham to
Moses to David to Isaiah, the Jewish people are the center of God’s plans to
make something beautiful in this world. Like
many people who are not Jewish, I found myself drawn to the Jewish people and the
Jewish practices that bring the sacred into the ordinary. I wanted to experience what the Jewish people
experienced by joining in the observances that honor time and things. And most of the observances are Torah based! These are activities that bring the presence
of the God of Israel into this world.
That
encouraged me to go to Israel four times, three trips were traditional tours
jammed with sites and teachings. Then
the fourth trip was during the celebration of Sukkot (A.K.A. Tabernacles or
Booths) in October 2014; we described that trip as “experiencing
Jerusalem”.
For
some Christians, once they have adopted Jewish culture and lifestyle in a
Messianic fellowship, the thought of returning to various Christian traditions
has no appeal to them. They are there to stay; however they encounter a clash
of backgrounds, teachings, traditions, and worldly anti-Semitic attitudes which
challenge the goal of unity in the Messianic fellowships. Messianic Jews and “Messianic Gentiles” try
to assimilate; in the most mature expressions of their faith. Messianic Gentiles learn ways to share in
Torah with Jews without giving the impression they are displacing Jewish
people. I think the key in that sentence
is the word “mature”.
Big
problems come from both sides – some Jews resent that non-Jews, Gentiles, are
claiming Judaism; while the non-Jews, Messianic Gentiles, are viewed as
replacing the Jews as God’s chosen people.
Such a joint fellowship opens a proverbial can of theological and
attitudinal worms. Some Jews become
resentful that non-Jews are adopting classic Jewish traditions – Kippahs,
Tallits, Feast days, etc. And meanwhile,
I feel enriched as I adopt some of these Torah inspired/mandated traditions. Isn’t imitation the highest form of
flattery!?!?
Have
you noticed that Messianic Gentiles are the most supportive of Israel as a
nation and the Jewish heritage? And they
are challenging Jews to return to their own promised land.
Burning
question – How did the Jewish people group survive thousands of years when no
other people group has lasted more than a few hundred at best? Is it the symbolic customs prescribed in
Torah and instilled in the people that sustains them as a people? Are they still a people because they keep the
Sabbath; or did the Sabbath keep the Jews?
Not until recently has there been opportunity for Jews who accept their
Messiah to have support from the Christian community.
This
Musing just tickles the surface of a big and many faceted topic.
Points
to ponder
Which came
first? The Torah or the New Testament?
Are
Christians missing something by ignoring or not utilizing Torah prescribed
practices?
Should
Messianic Jews be encouraged or forced to give up their Jewish heritage?
♫ Jew and Gentile, one in Messiah, One in Yeshua, one in the olive tree.
… One in Yeshua's love.♫
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd
September
4, 2018
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