Messianic Judaism

   Ok, so you've heard me mention Messianic Judaism, or maybe you saw the Star of David and got curious, or maybe you ended up here on accident. Whatever led you here, please stay. Please read. And if there are any questions, please ask them. You can e-mail me at [email protected].

     Those who are Messianic Jews are simply this: We believe in the one, true, living God; we believe that all are sinners and the wages of sin is death; we believe that Yeshua [Jesus, it's Hebrew] was God's only Son sent down as our Messiah to save us for our sins and that he died on the cross and rose again after three days; we believe that the Holy Spirit lives in us as told in Acts; we believe in following all of God's commandants, Old and New Testament. This is known as keeping the Torah [first five books of the Old Testament]. Basically, we eat kosher, keep the Feasts as laid out in Leviticus and try our very best as sinners to walk the path that is pleasing to God. In case you weren't paying attention, we do believe in Christ; that's the whole Messiah part of Messianic Judaism. We can be anything by blood-- Jew, Gentile, American, German, English, Swedish, French, Australian, Irish, Scottish, Native American, it does not matter. According to Scriptures, anyone who is Saved is a Jew and a child of Abraham. Now that you know what and who we are, let's look at why.
     I wasn't born Messianic. I was born and raised my entire life in a Methodist church. And all my life I had asked questions. "Why do we not celebrate Passover?" "Where does it say not to follow these Old Testament Laws?" "Why should the Sabbath be on Sunday?" I never found answers. The replies were vauge, never backed up with Scripture, and not very forthcoming. I was starting to get discouraged and, even worse, starting to doubt.
     Then I started dating Hawk. I heard him mention Judaic things, and I heard him mention the trinity.   So what did he believe? I finally asked him. He told me he was a Messianic Jew. We got into a discussion and puzzle pieces started falling into place. I went to services a few times and one night during the Bible study I started actually reading and cross-referencing the passages. Things were making sense! I offically made my decision to follow ALL the laws God set down for us and use both New and Old Testament as a guide in my life.
      Still wondering just what convinced me? Let me go over that.

      There are several passages that, taken out of context, were used to "explain" to me why the Old Testament Laws no longer applied. I found the idea slightly hypocritical, as apparently the 10 Commandants were still in effect. It seemed as if the church was attempting to mold the religion, instead of the religion molding the church. But enough of that. Through indepedent study and lots of questions, I started noticing certain things that pointed directly as Messianic Judaism. Something that should be obvious was actually a small realization-- Jesus (Yeshua) was a Jew! He kept all of the Torah (first five books of the OT, remember?) commandants, and His "Bible" was what we now call the Old Testament.
       Because He was a Jew, Yeshua kept all the Feasts laid out in Leviticus. These include Passover, Feast of First Fruits, Sukkot, Yom Kippur, and above all, Shabat (Sabbath). God gave these holidays to us as a symbol of His plan, a rehersal if you will, of what is in store. They are a means of rememberance and times of rejoicing. If Yeshua celebrated, why shouldn't we?
       However, I digress. I was about to explain just why I feel that the Torah Laws still apply. One important thing to note before the explaniation however-- I am in no way, absolutly no way, claiming that keeping the Laws grants salvation. There is only one way for salvation and that is through Yeshua. Saved by FAITH, not by works. Now, finally, to the why.
       Yeshua Himself said "If you love Me, keep my commandants." Wasn't He talking about all those things He said in His teachings? Partly. Yeshua's teachings were expansions on the already laid down Jewish Laws. Remember, Yeshua and God are One and the Same. When Yeshua said to keep His commandants, He was speaking about the Laws that God had given for our benefit and that are written in the Torah!
        Yet another example of Yeshua talking about the Law-- (paraphrased) "I have not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets [Torah and Jewish writings], but to fulfill [the OT was used to prophecy Yeshua's coming]. For I assure you, till heaven and earth pass away [still here?], not one jot or tittle [smallest characters in Hebrew language] shall pass from the Law." This is found in Matthew. Does this not state very clearly that Yeshua did not do away with the Torah? Jump up and down. Take notice that heaven and earth are still here. I have yet to find a minister that can explain this passage and still say that the Torah was nulled when Yeshua came.