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There are numerous Messianic prophecies that Messianic Jews state that Jesus has fulfilled. One of the more interesting ones is the idea that the Messiah will say that he is forsaken by G-d, cited in Psalms 22:1. Messianic Jews use Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, when Jesus loudly cried to G-d, asking G-d why he forsook Jesus, as the evidence that he fulfilled the Messianic prophecy. Now, there are numerous difficulties with attempting to use this verse as a Messianic prophecy. However, equally important, is the fact that by using this verse as a Messianic prophecy, Messianic Judaism contradicts its own beliefs, thereby proving its beliefs to be false. The Holy Trinity In Messianic Jewish belief, Jesus is not just the Messiah, but also G-d. G-d is made up of three, co-equal parts, the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Ghost (or Spirit). The Holy Trinity is inseparable. Each are part of G-d and one part cannot be considered separate from the other. This is a key concept, because this idea is at the heart of the contradiction. What Did You Say? In Matthew and Mark, Jesus cries out to G-d asking G-d why he had forsaken him. But there is an obvious problem. If Jesus is a part of G-d, equal to all of the other parts, how is it possible for him to be forsaken? By Messianic Jewish theology, Jesus is asking himself (since he is G-d), why he has forsaken himself. Is it possible for someone to forsake themselves? As much as we often feel that we have failed ourselves or put ourselves in an unwanted bind, it is ultimately impossible for us to forsake ourselves. We know that we cannot split ourselves, treating one piece separately from the rest. This is a simple issue for a person to grasp, but in the case of Jesus, he is supposed to be G-d. Since G-d is omniscient, shouldn't this piece of logic be well within his reach? In review, there is a contradiction in Messianic Jewish beliefs. Either he fulfilled the prophecy of crying out to G-d, and is not G-d, or his is G-d and cannot have fulfilled the prophecy. No matter which path is taken, Messianic Jewish prophecy is proven wrong. There are many reasons why Jews do not accept Jesus, and the links below are some of the better explanations on this topic. Of course, if you have questions that are not covered on the links, you can always e-mail me with your questions. An Answer from Rabbi Stuart Federow Click Here An Answer from Rabbi Shraga Simmons Click Here Ask the Rabbi from Ohr Somayach Click Here An Answer from Rabbi Tovia Singer Click Here
There are a number of groups that provide Countermissionary Counseling. Here are links to a few of them: Alternatively, you can call them at 1-800-4PROOF1 with general questions about missionary claims.
Here are a number of great sites that counter missionaries and explain the differences in belief between Judaism and Christianity, including addressing the Biblical verses that missionaries try to use against the Jews and explaining why the missionaries are incorrect. For the most in-depth analysis of verse by verse questions, go to Messiah Truth (sections on Counter-Missionary: Multi-media training [this can be read without being "multi-media"], Knowing Your Orchard and Judaism's Answer), Jews for Judaism (in their Reference Section (please note that the Isaiah topics tend to be under "Suffering Servant" part of the "Proof Text" section) and the Q & A section of Outreach Judaism. Escape From Counterfeit Judaism Talking to Kids About Missionaries
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