Did You Know Jesus Is a Jew?
Have you ever felt like there was something missing in Christianity? There's a new (well its sort of old really) wave happening to some Christians--they're finding out the roots of their faith are in Judaism. That's right--there's a Jew in you! How can this be?
Jesus (whose Hebrew name is Yeshua-which means salvation) is the Jewish Messiah and Scripture tells us that He makes His home in us when we put our faith in Him. So what's missing in your walk with the Messiah? The pure and rich root of the olive tree--Israel, the Hebrew roots of Christianity!
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Have you ever heard of Messianic Judaism?
This lens is for people who want to learn more about the Hebrew roots of Christianity. After you're done here, visit our congregation's website by pointing your browser to:www.shabbatshalomtexas.com and find out more!
The Messianic Vort
A 5 Minute Commentary on the Torah Portion of the Week
Can you spare 5 minutes to learn something of value from the Torah this week? Check out my weekly commentary on the Torah portion of the week.The introduction is below. For the full article go to:
http://www.archive.org/download/MessianicVortTzav5768/ParashatTzav5768.pdf
You can also go to this link to subscribe to the weekly email: http://list-manage.com/subscribe.phtml?id=c3938e70a2
Have you ever tried to scrape clean a dirty BBQ grill, or worse yet, a greasy, grimy oven? No one looks forward to this menial task and yet, in our parashah this week, there is a commandment to the priests to do just that-every day! You might think that their attitudes were poor considering what a "lowly" task this was. In truth, this commandment was seen as an honor because it was a chance to serve God and get closer to Him. The Mishnah reports: "Originally whosoever desired to remove [the ashes from] the altar did so. If they were many, they would run and mount the ramp [of the altar], and he that came first within four cubits obtained the privilege." Yoma22a
We Must Repent
One of the lessons of the mitzvah (commandment) of removing the ash from the Altar is that a servant of Hashem must feel obligated to do every one of the commandments, no matter how unimportant it seems. Surely all of us are guilty of going our own way and deciding that some of the Torah commandments "are not for us" or seem to be of little importance. We pick and choose how God's Word relates to our lives rather than living according to the entire council of God's commandments.
Did Yeshua Keep the Torah?
What does that mean for me?
Many people think that Yeshua did away with the Torah and that Christians are only bound to four "rules" or laws found in Acts 15. But that is not the case. Go check out my expert article on Acts 15 at:http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/article.cfm?articleid=176330
And don't worry! This is good news. The apostle Paul says in his letters like Romans and Ephesians, that Gentiles who were once far away from God are now brought close because of their faith in Yeshua. That would have been enough right? But God doesn't stop there.
Gentiles are no longer Gentiles! Through faith they become sons and daughters of Abraham! That's enough right? No way...
Not only does Yeshua forgive their sins, bring them close to God, make them children of Abraham, He also grafts them in to the olive tree--Israel. Those who put faith in Yeshua are "one new man," Jew and Gentile alike. Gentiles get to be a part of the commonwealth of Israel which means they share not only the blessings but also the responsibilities. What can this be compared to?
There was a mighty king who reigned over a great land. Everyone in it was taken care of. The king had rules that blessed the people greatly.
The people of the distant lands suffered however because they didn't know all of the kings laws and so they wished to join the kingdom. But because they had been previously hostile to the king they first had to establish loyalty to him. So the king sent his son throughout the lands and all who embraced him were given a place within the kingdom.
People often say to me, "isn't eating kosher and always having to do this and not do this a burden?" And I say to them, it only seems like a burden if you're an outsider. Ever re-stocked those 40 gallon water coolers? The big heavy kind like in office buildings? That's a lot of weight on your shoulders right? But haven't you ever been to the beach, jumped into the ocean, and swam under water? Do you know how many billions of pounds of weight were on your shoulders then? And you didn't feel a thing! In fact, you were relaxed weren't you?
That is how living with God's rule--the Torah, really is. Remember Yeshua said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." His way of interpreting the Torah and living it out truly is a blessing (and a responsibility) for both Jews and Christians. Why not jump in and give it a try!
Messianic Stuff
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Best Messianic Links
- Beit Shalom--A Messianic Jewish Congregation in Austin centered on Yeshua
- Beit Shalom Sabbath Fellowship, centered on Yeshua Hamashiach, in Austin, Texas. We are a family-centered, Messianic Jewish synagogue in Austin who are Messianic believers in Messiah Yeshua, His Torah and His shabbat.
- Welcome to First Fruits of Zion
- First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ) is an educational ministry dedicated to proclaiming the Torah and its way of life, fully centered on Messiah, to today's people of God.
- Torah Resources.com
- Excellent site, free articles by Messianic scholar, Tim Hegg.
- Jewishgift.com - Jewish Books, Judaica Gifts & Judaica Giftware, Jewish Religious Items And More
- Judaica Jewish Gifts
