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Shalom!
I love your website, and figured I would take this opportunity to fire off some correspondence to your comments section.
I have been associated with Messianic Judaism for about 15 years. I’m by no means an authority on any ecclesiastical issues, and I am definitely not an eminent student of theology. I come from a mostly military and law enforcement background. My only religious training was as a student in a mainstream Christian University.
In my opinion, Messianic Judaism is not perfect and often suffers from doctrinal instability, but it is a movement that is still very much in transition and has good promise if we look towards certain time- honored concepts that are now coming to the forefront. The most important challenge we face today is how we will bear up to the waves of persecution that seem to be coming in the future, and how we will get along with other sects of Judaism.
The first thing we need to do is recognize the fact that Messianic Judaism is not recent. It has a mostly unbroken line of existence that extends all the way back to the days of Yeshua. Most people just don’t recognize this because the Messianic sects that existed in antiquity were declared heretical and persecuted and a lot of the details are lost to history.
We need to educate ourselves about the long history of the Messianic movement and realize that we are a historical part of Israel, even if we are not believed to be by some who would love to see us evaporate into history. We are the logical continuation of the ministry of Yeshua. The reason we have survived, in my opinion, is we have a place in the future destiny of Israel.
For example, Messianic Judaism has suffered in the Spanish inquisition and the Nazi death camps just the same as, and often right alongside, Orthodox Judaism. A great number of the early members of the modern Messianic movement were murdered by the Nazi’s in the death camps. This affected modern Messianic Judaism for almost 40 years. To believe that we, as Messianic Judaism, will be immune from persecution in the future is to be naïve.
The enemies of G-d make no distinction when they persecute. The different sects of Judaism must not make distinctions when we face persecution either. We must protect each other, even at the expense of our lives. Even though we differ on opinions, the other sects of Judaism are our brothers and we need to come to their aid when they need us. Today, they need us. Tomorrow, we may need them. This cuts to the core message of Yeshua-Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
The second thing we need to understand is the fact that Messianic Judaism is an important part of Israel, even if we are not recognized as such by the current powers that be in Israel. The current enmity between Messianic Judaism and the other sects of Judaism was foretold many places in the Torah and New Testament. This is how it is supposed to be. We must understand this.
Modern Israel, as a nation, is a creation of man. Because of this, it is not perfect, and suffers from the same mistakes and misgivings as anyone else. We must love Israel, in spite of its mistakes and errors, and pray for its guidance and peace in the coming years. Many people hate it, and seek its destruction. We Messianic Jews must present Israel with a safe haven of love and concern that only a brother can reach out with, even if we are hated by some.
The Scriptures also tell us that many of the institutions if man such as government and churches are destined to fail us due to the sinful nature of man. In the end, G-d will heal the enmity between us and redeem all of Israel for HIS sake alone. We will not be able to do these things ourselves. Only G-d will do this. Until God does, we must bear true witness to our faith.
The most important part of this point is: Even though we are not a part of physical Israel and we are denied the ability to make Aliyah, we still have a responsibility to do our part in the story of Israel. We will suffer the same persecution, and share in the same misfortunes as Israel no matter where we are, because the enemies of Israel are everywhere. For now, we must make a safe place where we are until things change. The question is, how will we bear up to it?
In closing, the most important thing we can do as Messianic Jews is to accept our destiny with Israel and raise up leaders who will make a difference. We need all types of leaders in the coming days, months, and years ahead. We need Biblical leaders who will make a difference in the lives of the persecuted by well guided actions and decisions.
Websites and newsletters are a good start, but real contributions are what’s needed. We need people who will work to unite Messianic Judaism under the ideal that we are servants of G-d in his plan of redemption for all nations.
Some questions to ask are these:
1) How many hospitals have we built in America and Israel to help the needy?
2) How many poor people in Israel have we fed?
3) How many times have we stood up for Israel when they needed our help facing bitter anti-semitic attacks?
4) How many Christians and Jews have we helped who are facing persecution throughout the world?
5) How will we help Israel in the future, even if we are in the Diaspora indefinitely?
The choice is ours.
Thanks for hearing me out. I wish you continued success in the coming years!
Regards, Jim
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