Volumne 13 Number 2
November/December 1996
Cheshvan/Kislev/Tevet 5757

Why Jewish Life?

By Daniel Juster

Remarkable Happenings in our Day

One of the most remarkable happenings of the last 25 years is certainly the establishment of the Messianic Jewish movement. The contrast between pre-1970 Jewish ministry and today is amazing. Before 1970 few people identified as Messianic Jews or thought that they were called to live a Jewish life as an expression of their faith in Jesus. Today thousands worldwide believe and practice Jewish life in Yeshua. Before 1970, rare was the church which was interested in the Jewish roots of its Christian faith, had Passover seder demonstrations, or encouraged its Jewish members to identify as Jews. Today significant portions of the Church, numbering thousands of congregations do so. Before 1970 there had never been a time when thousands of Jews professed faith in Jesus in one meeting; in the last few years at the Hear O Israel festivals in Russia this has happened.

Messianic Jews have argued well that there are two significant reasons for living a Jewish life as part of New Covenant faith. One is that by living a Jewish life the Gospel is seen in its Jewish context and many more Jews will accept it. This is as Paul taught in 1 Corinthains 9. Secondly, living a Jewish life in Jesus was the pattern of the Apostles. So they taught and so they lived. If they are our authorities for doctrine, we can do no other than live a Jewish life in Jesus. But why Jewish Life? Is there significant meaning and purpose to it? In Romans 11:28,29 we read of the Jewish people, "Though they are enemies of the Gospel...they are beloved for the sake of the fathers, for the gifts and the call of G-d (to Israel) are irrevocable." What does this mean?

The Jewish People Are Giving An Irrevocable Calling

Romans does give the foundational reason for Jewish life. It is G-d's gift and call to the Jewish people. This gift and call includes the Jewish follower of Yeshua. Everywhere in the New Testament when the issue is addressed, the New Testament makes it clear that the Jewish believer continues to be a part of the Jewish people and continues to live a Jewish life. Paul says, "I am an Israelite." (Romans 11:1) He designates the Jewish believers the "remnant saved" which legitimizes the continued call of the Jewish nation as a whole. (Romans 11:5 ff.) What, however, is this continuing gift and call? The questions above have not yet been answered. We have to turn to the pages of the Hebrew Scriptures to understand this, for Paul assumes an understanding of this call as described on its pages.

What Is The Irrevocable Calling? A Holy Priesthood

Sacrifices are Offered

First, Israel is the nation that is a holy priesthood enjoined to bring blessing to the world, even reconciliation between G-d and the nations. In the past, rooted in the sacrifice of Isaac, the nation offered sacrifices to G-d on the very mountain where Isaac was sacrificed. As rooted in the sacrifice of Isaac, these sacrifices were a prophetic intercessory appeal to G-d that would take away sin. These sacrifices provided a prayer covering Israel and the nations which preserved them until Yeshua would come as our perfect sacrifice.

Redemptive Meaning Is Proclaimed

Secondly, Israel by its unique life of Sabbath, fast and feast proclaimed redemptive meanings in repeated pictorial dramas. The Sabbath is a testimony to all the world that G-d exists and is the creator of heaven and earth. We did not just evolve from natural forces or get reincarnated by the everlasting changes in the unknowing pantheistic being. Nor are we the product of multiple fallible gods. "In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth!" On the seventh He rested. However, the Sabbath also proclaims G-d's desire that all may enter into rest in Yeshua.

Passover proclaims G-d's desire to set all nations free. The Jewish nation must first live out intercessory representation and be a nation of slaves. In her deliverance, she opens the way of hope for all nations to be set at liberty which will only come through the Passover Lamb, Yeshua.

Yom Kippur declares that in order to stand in the presence of an utterly holy G-d, we must enter by the innocent blood of sacrifice. This atonement was performed (as described by Hebrews 9-10) by Yeshua, as both priest and sacrifice. All Biblically-rooted Jewish practices are pictures of redemption and are to be studied to understand the full meaning of our salvation. However, these pictures also are like prayers releasing into the world the redemptive meanings and hopes thereby portrayed.

Israel Is Preserved

Thirdly, Jewish life preserves the Jewish people. Jewish preservation is a powerful testimony to the existence of G-d and his sovereignty. Israel's return to the land in which its calendar of harvest and festival is rooted proclaims to the world the living G-d before whom all are accountable. The Jewish person is a testimony to the law of G-d before which all are judged. Is it any wonder that Satan desires to destroy the Jewish people? Indeed, it is Israel's part to add its cry to that of the Church for the return of Jesus without which the world will not see redemption. The words must ring out, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord."

The Messianic Jew Is Part Of This Irrevocable Calling

Only the Messianic Jew, however, can live Jewish life in the fullness of its meaning. The Messianic Jew continues in Jewish calling showing the meaning of Yeshua as the center of every feast. He points to the redemption of the world in all aspects which is the future hope of all Jewish celebration. Only the Messianic Jew can release faith through the Holy Spirit that all of the redemptive meanings of every celebration are released as a prayer for the fulfillment of the plan of G-d.

In addition, the Messianic Jew is the organic link between Israel and the Church, for he is part of both. He keeps alive the enriching Jewish roots and the parentage of the Church for its benefit and understanding. He keeps alive a testimony to Israel of the truth that Yeshua is the Messiah of Israel, and the Savior of the World.

True Christians Have No Less A Calling

Does this mean that any true Christian is less than the Messianic Jew in calling and purpose? Not at all. Indeed, the Christians represent a priestly people from all nations. They are the seed of Abraham by faith. Each nation has its saved remnant as well. This saved remnant is a foreshadowing of that nation submitting to Yeshua. Gentile believers have an equal and holy priesthood and are part of the one new man with their Jewish brothers and sisters. G-d has given to the Gentile believers the priesthood of bringing blessing to the nations, and even seeing Israel re-born into the Kingdom of G-d. They are free to enjoy Jewish roots with their Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters. G-d has made Jew and Gentile fully interdependent. Both must work together to see the fulfillment of the great commission, the salvation of Israel, and the return of Yeshua. Isn't it wonderful that G-d has humbled us all and made us so dependent upon on another? In this way, He will receive all glory. G-d's gifts and his call are irrevocable to Israel and the Church. The Messianic Jew is part of both. That is why Jewish life among Yeshua's modern disciples signifies a remarkable stirring by the Spirit of G-d.

Daniel Juster's new book, The Irrevocable Calling, expands this article into a short, readable book. You can order the book through Tikkun Ministries, (301) 977-0156

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