“I say then, have [the Jewish people] stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more [the Jewish people’s] fullness!”
Romans 11:11-12 (NKJV)
Many times when someone asks my occupation and I explain that I work for a Messianic Jewish organization (Jewish people who believe that Jesus is their Messiah— www.mjaa.org ), inevitably they’ll tell me about a Jewish friend, relative or acquaintance.
About fifty percent of the time, the person will lament about how “stiff-necked” the Jewish person was and how impossible it was to share the Good News with them. Rather than taking a defensive position, I share with them the wonderful miracle happening in Israel—revival.
Less than 15 years ago, there were only a handful of Messianic congregations in Israel. Today there are over 150 congregations.
Some of our ministry’s humanitarian aid centers are located in mostly Arab communities. These centers lovingly provide goods to all in need—whether Jewish, Arab or Moslem.
What I would consider as one of the most profound miracles was about one Moslem woman who frequented a center. Generally her unruly child would accompany her. For many months the woman said nothing to the staff. Our group continued to show love to her and her son despite the boy’s disruptive and sometimes aggressive behaviors. The staff also prayed for this woman and her family, along with all the other people they ministered to daily.
One day the woman asked our staff, “Why are you Jews being so nice to me?”
The staff’s response was to ask her to come back to a Sabbath service and they would answer her question. Several weeks later the woman and her son showed up. It was apparent that she came in secret—her husband and family did not know she was there. In the Middle East especially, for a Moslem to convert to Christianity is to risk their life.
After many months of attendance—with her son continuing his disruptive behaviors during services—the woman accepted her Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus.
As time went on, the son’s behavior changed. So much so that the husband noticed and gave permission to his wife to attend the Messianic congregation with his son. Praise the Lord!
During the Lebanon war in 2007, Israel welcomed into her borders, Lebanese Christians escaping persecution. Many of these precious brothers and sisters were taken in by Messianic congregations—they now fellowship together.
There are other stories of Arabs and Jews worshipping in unity with one another . . . and why not, don’t we worship the Prince of Peace? He is the true roadmap to shalom/peace.
These miracles are happening in the midst of Islamic terrorism. But many are unaware that there is another layer of difficulty for the Messianic believers in Israel; persecution by some within the Ultra Jewish Orthodox community.
Recent headlines in Israel and the US spoke of a handsome, athletic high schooler, Ami Ortiz who found a gift basket at the front door of his family’s apartment. It was during the feast of Purim when this sort of thing was customary.
Ami (Hebrew for people) took the basket inside and placed it on the kitchen table. When he opened the “gift” it exploded. Shrapnel of screws, glass and wires flew into his body, including his eye.
Initially it was thought the bomb was the work of a terrorist group, however further investigation showed the mechanisms were Israeli. A few witnesses have come forward indicating the perpetrators were from the Orthodox community. The police officials have been slow in solving the hate crime.
The basket was meant to kill, but God in His mercy spared young Ortiz’s life. And God in His grace is using this horrible incident to bring to light the persecution of believers in Israel.
Ami is on the long road to recovery and asks for prayer for pain. His parents continue to shepherd a Messianic congregation in Israel.
Despite the adversity and troubles, the gospel is going forth in Israel. The Land where God placed His name forever (2 Chronicles 6:6) is seeing revival.
When you pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-9), or when you remember in prayer those brothers and sisters in Christ/Messiah being persecuted around the world—also remember your “family” in Israel working so that when Yeshua/Jesus returns He will hear in Jerusalem,
“Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai!”
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!
(Matthew 23:39)
Read More About It: Israel Today, a magazine and e-zine written by Messianic Jews in Israel. www.israeltoday.co.il
RECIPE:
No recipe this month.
NEXT TIME: The Times and Seasons of God
In the months ahead I’ll write about why it is difficult for a Jewish person to accept their own Messiah.