Rabbi’s Reflections -Friday, September 10, 2021
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
I’m going to make this easy for you. A few days ago I mentioned Lou Engle’s vision for evangelizing Jewish people along with a link to his short video explanation. Now, JB Bernstein has published the first three (of the planned 40) short videos on how to evangelize Jewish people. To make it easy, here is the link. https://gatesofzion.net/blog-articles/jb-bernstein/the-equip-series/the-equip-series-day-1-introduction-to-forty-days-of-equipping-the-saints-in-jewish-evangelism/15
You do know that our desire to see Israel saved is not new. Paul wrote famously in Romans 11… Romans 11:26 and in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer shall come out of Zion. He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. 27 And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Of course, Paul is quoting Isaiah 59:20 “But a Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.” It is a declaration of Adonai. What’s a “Redeemer” without “redemption?”
But there are many other places where the Hebrew Scriptures promise redemption to the whole house of Israel (even to both, united, kingdoms). Isaiah 45:17 Israel has been saved by Adonai with an everlasting salvation. You will not be put to shame or disgraced, for ever and ever.
I’ll never forget the time, it was about 25 years ago, that the Southern Baptist Convention was making headlines by declaring a fresh emphasis on Jewish outreach. My mother called me. She was very upset. She said, “Michael, did you know the Baptists want to convert the Jews?”
I said, “Mom, yes I did know that. It’s not new.” As I recall the Baptists didn’t make a ripple in the pond. Will we do any better? There are some critical ingredients I want to mention here, and perhaps over the next few days. BTW, convert is absolutely the wrong word (it was what my mother said). Our prayer is that all Israel will see the Son, Who is the Jewish Messiah.
Just that phrase, “Jewish Messiah,” has many meanings. Yeshua is the Savior of Jewish people (and the whole world). Yeshua is also the Messiah, Who is Jewish. His Jewishness is part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world.
Rabbi Trail: Why do we say “Jew-ish” anyway? Do you have to spread your fingers and wag them when you say “sort of ‘Jew-ish’?” We don’t say “Catholic-ish” or “Protestant-ish” or “Baptist-ish,” so why “Jew-ish?” I’m only asking, I don’t have any answers. End RT.
One critical ingredient in Jewish evangelism is that it must be a unified effort made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish people. It’s that witness of both parts that makes our witness effective. Only Jewish people witnessing to Jewish people makes it too easy for Jewish people to view the Jewish only witness as, “Just a bunch of those Jewish traitors trying to convert us.”
In the same way, a Gentile only witness makes it too easy for Jewish people to view a Gentile only witness as, “Just a bunch of those Gentiles trying to make us like them.” When we witness together, Jewish and non-Jewish, we have a witness that is love motivated. We have love for each other and love for Israel. Hear the words of Yeshua… John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Together, with love for each other and love for Yeshua, we form a bond that cannot be broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though a man might overpower one, two can stand against him. Moreover a threefold cord cannot be quickly broken.
I’m going to leave it here for today. Blessings.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 10 Sep 2021 4th of Tishrei, 5782
De 31:10-13Hag 1-22 Ch 25(Ac 17)Rev 11
Week 37
Memory Verse: Acts 1:31 When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. And they were all filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
181 9/6 Monday: Mark 16
182 9/7 Tuesday: Luke 14
183 9/8 Wednesday: John 20-21
184 9/9 Thursday: Matthew 28
185 9/10 Friday: Acts 1