Why Do You Say Yeshua?

[Guest]

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Isaiah 44:1

____________

Why Do You Say Yeshua?

By leader in the Messianic Jewish movement

Several years ago, a meeting took place between Jewish and Evangelical theologians

to address common concerns and discuss similarities and differences. At one point in the meetings, in the midst of all the dialogue, one Evangelical posed this question point blank: "Why don't you Jews just accept Jesus as your savior." At this question, the Jewish leaders picked up and left without further discussion.

This is a question that Messianic Jewish people know as our everyday reality. "Why don't the Jewish People accept Yeshua?" Before I attempt to answer this question, it is important to make two observations: First, that all Jewish people have not rejected the Gospel. In the early church, there were many Jewish believers. Acts records that thousands came to the Lord at Shavout (Pentecost). The mother church in Jerusalem was made up of Jewish people. The book of Hebrews was addressed to Jewish believers.

Throughout the post New Testament era, there has been a small but steady stream of Jewish people who have come to the Lord. Neander, the father of church history was a Jewish believer.

A second observation, is that not all gentiles have accepted Jesus. True believers are indeed a minority in the world, even in our own cities. The best we can say, is that some Jews, and some Gentiles have accepted Yeshua, but most people, both Jews and Gentiles have not accepted him.

http://www.hearnow.org/wy.html

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Romans 11:11-15

Thoughts?

[~candice~]

Yes... I have a thought. We (collective, general) point to the hardness of (some) Jews hearts when they do not accept Jesus as Messiah, and while this is true, we really ought to have a look at our own backyard and and hardness in the heart of the "gentile church" (for lack of a better word). I can't see you for the mote in my eye .

[Guest shiloh357]

Well meaning Christians in our day tend to view modern Jews through the prism of the New Testament and as a result project motives and values on to modern Jews that are not fair and untrue. Too often, Christians project what they think they know about the Pharisees on to the Jewish people as a whole.

Christians have wrongly treated Jesus' criticism of His enemies as criticism of the Jewish people en masse. They forget that Jesus was very popular among the regular people. He was so popular His enemies had to plot against Him in secret.

[nebula]

Right - and most Christians today do not understand the years of pain and persecution Christians and so-called Christians have unleashed on them.

[Dragoon]

Thanks FresnoJoe,

I think it's always important to be reminded that 'all Jewish people have not rejected the Gospel'.

One day....

[Guest]

Mr. Fresno Jo,

I need to have an in depth discussion regarding theology between myself, and a jewish person who understands theology. Please I am desperate. It has to do with my Dad, the religion we were raised in and my Dad's thinking on the name of YAH. Is it possible to set up a time for this discussion to take place? Are you the right person, or can you direct me to the right person? If you can help I would very much appreciate the effort. Sincerely, Shelivs4HIM. P.S. I'll be checking for a reply tonight around 9PM cst and also tomorrow.

You Need One More Post

And Then You Will Be Able To PM Folk

You Might Post Your Request In The Welcome Thread (It'll Be Moved If Needful) And See If You Gain A Partner

Praying~!

[Dotsoav]

Yes... I have a thought. We (collective, general) point to the hardness of (some) Jews hearts when they do not accept Jesus as Messiah, and while this is true, we really ought to have a look at our own backyard and and hardness in the heart of the "gentile church" (for lack of a better word). I can't see you for the mote in my eye .

I agree we do judge the Jews very hard without considering ourselves but if we look closely we will see that the nation of Israel from the beginning until now have been a representation of mankind in general. everything they have done and have not done we can see in the church today which is why GOD tells us not to judge others, because we do or have done the same things.

[nebula]

... everything they have done and have not done we can see in the church today which is why GOD tells us not to judge others, because we do or have done the same things.

Very astute.

[About the Son of God]

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Isaiah 44:1

____________

Why Do You Say Yeshua?

By leader in the Messianic Jewish movement

Several years ago, a meeting took place between Jewish and Evangelical theologians

to address common concerns and discuss similarities and differences. At one point in the meetings, in the midst of all the dialogue, one Evangelical posed this question point blank: "Why don't you Jews just accept Jesus as your savior." At this question, the Jewish leaders picked up and left without further discussion.

I think it quite clear that the Jewish Theologians took that Evangelical's question as a threat or accusation. Was that evangelical not studied in the Jewish religion sufficiently to have known the arrogant tone that would be perceived by another religion? Questions asked in the negative "why don't you" are condescending. No matter how "right" the Theologian thought he was -- he none the less acted in a boasting manner.

Before I attempt to answer this question, it is important to make two observations: First, that all Jewish people have not rejected the Gospel. ... second ... not all gentiles have accepted Jesus

And I suppose most pagans haven't either.... nor verbally have infants who can't speak.... or... etc.

In quoting this information, FresnoJoe, and I read the rest of your post, what are you questioning? eg: I am kind(a) "lost"; the thought just seems to "stop" at the "before" part; you don't focus the spotlight of your question on anything in particular and a link going off into the void with no guidelines as to what you are curious about is a bit like a psychiatrist pointing to a rorshack picture and asking "what do you see?" (Gee Doc, your the one with all the dirty pictures! why ask me? )

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Spoken by a man who one moment says "God forbid they fall" and the next says "if the fall be riches". Clearly he is a lawyer, a bit wiser than the evangelical Theologian, perhaps, but where are you going with the thesis? (I think I need a newbies guide to this thread.)

Thanks.

[nebula]

Agreed.