On Christians & Jews

This has been a topic that has been weighing very heavily on my heart. So much so, that I’ve annoyed both friends and family (the Christian ones) in my attempts to communicate what I feel is crucial to understand. When it comes to the modern view towards Judaism, there is a spectrum from fanaticism, to indifference, to fear, to anti-Semitism. Most of the people I talk to are in the two middle categories.

I don’t expect many Western Christians to take this post too seriously, if they even click make it to opening this post in the first place. However, I do believe it is my responsibility and obligation to continue conveying this message to anyone that may listen.

I want to be loud and clear: The Christian Church has largely failed the Jewish people. The adopted children, the Gentile believers in Jesus the Messiah, which are the branches that have been grafted in, have arrogantly and ignorantly mocked, resented and neglected the natural branches.

Before I begin, I’d like to point you to some free resources that will reinforce the message in this post:

Video – Covenant and Controversy Part I/3

Book (Free PDF) – When a Jew Rules the World by Joel Richardson

With the countless conversations I’ve had on this subject, I can see there is a blindness, and unwillingness to face, within the Western church in regards to this topic. We cannot afford to continue in ignorance. The cost of ignorance is far too high.

Allow me to use Paul, the Pharisee who was called by Christ to be an apostle*, Jewish through-and-through believer in Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah that is prophesied to sit on the throne of David, as the one who sets the stage for this conversation.

*Acts 9 | Acts 22 | Philippians 3

In the book of Romans, Paul had written a letter to the Christians in Rome, which included both Jews and Gentiles, to sort out some theology. Remember who Paul is, and his background.

Let’s look at his greeting.

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ

Romans 1:1-6 ESV (emphasis in italics added by me)

The gospel is not a new testament concept. It was PROMISED through the prophets. What promises are we talking about here?

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6–7

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.”

Jeremiah 33:14–16

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Luke 1:30-33

“Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you say’”

Matthew 27:11

It is worth repeating. We are talking about a King who will rule from the “house of Israel and the house of Judah“, who will “execute justice and righteousness on the earth.” Regarding his Kingdom, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore”. Who is this King? The angel told Mary that she “shall name Him Jesus.” “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

—

There are so many more… The gospel is embedded into every page in scripture from beginning to end. Take a look at these documents for more:

Document (PDF) – The Covenant Promises of God

Document (PDF) – The Coming Kingdom of God

—

Look at the very first verse in the New Testament:

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…”

Matthew 1:1 ESV (emphasis in italics added by me)

Jesus is regarded as:

Messiah (Christ)
son of David (descendant)
son of Abraham (descendant)

The Messiah, which is the Hebrew equivalent of the word Christ, is the title for the Anointed king of Israel. For example in 2 Samuel chapter 1, before David was King, he referred to King Saul as the Lord’s anointed. The original Hebrew calling him “Yehovah’s mashiyach” (messiah). David becomes king in the following chapter, receiving the title mashiyach.

Here’s something else that’s interesting to know– (I promise these are all important details)

The high priest of Israel, from the line of Aaron, is also anointed, or mashiyach. Hebrews chapter 4 tells us that Jesus is our high Priest.

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4:14-15 ESV

However, Hebrews also tells us that Jesus is not our high priest from Aaron, He is our high priest “after the order of Melchizedek”.

Psalm 110, which is well-known to be referring to Jesus, as it’s the most quoted and referenced to psalm. It talks about the Messiah, being “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4). Hebrews reinforces this, especially in chapter 7.

Resource: Psalm 110 in the New Testament

“…14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”“

[…]

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 4:14-17, 22-25 ESV

Jesus is our High Priest, and King of Kings, and Prince of Peace.

So now, let’s get back to the point. Christ, Messiah, Anointed. It’s not Jesus’ last name. Jesus, the Messiah, the promised king from the line of David, will sit on the throne of David when He returns and set up an everlasting physical kingdom.

That is exactly who the Jewish people are waiting for.

They’ve been waiting for the Messiah BECAUSE of the promises of God in the Old Testament. The Messiah who the Jewish people are expecting, IS how Jesus will appear at His second coming. If this statement does not make sense to you, then we have some things to learn and/or re-learn my friend.

Our eternal life through salvation obtained for us by Jesus Christ, is made possible because of Him as not only our sacrifice, but as our priest. The restoration of the world, will be through His Kingdom.

The plan to do all these things, has been in play, ever since Adam and Eve. God never changed his mind. God’s promises to Abraham back in Genesis are still in play. The Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are still going to receive their promises and their Messiah. Their Messiah, is OUR Messiah!

Let’s get back to Romans to unpack this…

Paul makes it clear from the beginning of his letter to the Romans that righteousness has always come by faith. That has never changed. Read Galatians 3. It’s been the case from the very beginning. Even Abraham, whom God elected to establish an everlasting, unconditional covenant with, was justified by faith.

Paul establishes that on the basis of works, we are all guilty of falling short. Both Jew and Gentile, we are both incapable of saving ourselves.

This has always been the case.

Look at the pattern outlined in the Exodus.
Israel cries out to God (YHVH).
God hears them, and does the rescuing.

It’s by the blood of the passover lamb they are released.
By the crossing of the Red Sea, Yahweh sets apart (see word: “holy”) His people and separates them from the Egyptians (“the world”).

Once in the wilderness, YHVH provides the Torah, as instructions for how to be His people, and to give them a guidance that leads to LIFE and BLESSING.

Torah came AFTER salvation. Israel did nothing to save themselves, other than cry out in desperation. God did the rescuing, and setting apart.

Moses lead them to the promised land, but Joshua (Yehoshua) got them INTO it.
Jesus (Yeshua) Messiah said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 (LSB).

And guess what was the law of the Land?

Torah.

Just like Jew and Gentile have been brought together, Yahweh is looking people that will worship Him in Spirit AND Truth. Let’s minister to our Jewish brethren, and extend to them the same humble servant grace that Messiah Yeshua has shown us.

Galatians 3:28 (LSB)
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

John 4:23–24 (LSB)
23“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Psalm 119:142 (LSB)
142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.

Psalm 119:160 (LSB)
160The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.