What is a Messianic Jew?
According to the Scriptures, a Jew is anyone who is born of a Jewish mother or father. A Messianic Jew, then, is a person of Jewish lineage who has accepted Yeshua as his Messiah and personal kinsman redeemer, has chosen to follow the teachings of Scripture, and seeks to maintain a Jewish lifestyle in accordance with his calling and heritage.
We've heard of a Messianic vision. What is it?
The Messianic vision is a recognition of and support for G-d's plan for the world, and specifically as it relates to His prophecies regarding the Jewish people.
Joel 2:18-19
Then the Lord will be zealous for His land, and will have pity on His people. And the Lord will answer and say to His people, "Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied in full with them; and I will never again make you a reproach among the nations."
The events prophesied in Joel, chapter 2, were partially fulfilled in the First century (see Acts 2), but please note that this passage also deals with the future. While there is a reawakening among the Jewish people, even in our day this prophecy has not been fully realised.
Joel 3:1, 16-21
For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem. And the Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble. But the Lord is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord your G-d, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. So Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will pass through it no more. And it will come about in that day that the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; and a spring will go out from the house of the Lord, to water the valley of Shittim. Egypt will become a waste, and Edom will become a desolate wilderness, because of the violence done to the sons of Judah, in who land they have shed innocent blood. But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem for all generations. And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged, for the Lord dwells in Zion.
We must recognise that the call for the Jewish people to return to the land is alive, not merely a provision of the past.
Jeremiah 31:21
Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin Israel, return to these your cities.
See with what tenderness G-d speaks. Though Israel has strayed from her husband, He calls her virgin, and invites her back to Him.
Isaiah 11:12
And He will lift up a standard for the nations, and will assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Amos 9:14-15
"Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, and they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them, they will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit. I will also plant them on their land, and they will not again be uprooted out from their land which I have given them," says the Lord your G-d.
Being part of the Messianic vision is to participate in a work of the Holy Spirit, calling Jewish people not only back to the land, but back to the Lord (see Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Romans 11:25-29
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; "For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of G-d are irrevocable.
What are the purposes of Messianic congregations?
Generally, there are three:
- What all congregations should be about - equipping believers for ministry as a functional part of the body.
- Supporting G-d's plan for the Jewish people and the Jewish nation.
- Encouraging and assisting believers to reach out with the Good News - to all people.
