This post is continued from a previous post, see here.
After some discussion on why I thought it was impossible for me to convert, they asked the following question:
What makes you believe that Jesus is the Messiah? And rephrased, “whats the significance of His Messiahship?”
So I responded by saying that I believed He had fulfilled various prophecies, I didnt go into detail but named especially Isaiah Ch.53. I then proceeded by talking about how His resurrection by G’d was a very important part of the evidence, but then didnt proceed to expound on it because it seemed quite difficult to communicate this to someone who is not really acquainted with this history and thinks most of the Apostolic Writings, if not all, are corrupted.
Thus I proceeded to His atonement.
I said its through the death of the Messiah that G’d has reconciled the world to Himself. I said “the Messiah has been made the korban for all those who trust/believe in Him”. However I immediately weakened my own argument by noting the Ramban’s response; “why are the curses that originated from the seperation still here”.
I talked about how Messiah’s sacrifice was made in the heavenly Tabernacle and how theres thus no problem if sacrifices are resumed, but did quite a poor job in explaining all this.
In the end, I said זה קשה מאוד, and its true, its very difficult to communicate this knowing their responses in advance and actually seeing some merit in them.
He said to me, “you’ve studied alot on your own but I think its time for you to continue your studies with a Rabbi or some Jewish institute”. I responded a bit sarcastic, “you mean Chabad or Aish haTorah?”. He said “well maybe you could take a year off and come study here in Israel”. To which I responded, “the end result of this seems quite clear to me” (i.e. rejection of my Rabbi and conversion). He asked why I thought that would be the case. So I explained that with such signficant external factors there would be little objective search for evidence.
I mean, when you actually live or participate to some extent in the Jewish community you cannot escape the attraction. I was there for only ten days and already felt this heavy attraction, קל וחומר when youre there for a year!
Dont I like the idea? Obviously there are some parts I like of the idea, I mean being part of the Jewish community brings so many benefits if not only for the very fact that its virtually impossible to live a lifestyle close to the Torah in the absence of a community. And I think this actually reflects a big theological difference between Christianity and Judaism.
In Christianity, at least in the Protestant tradition, theres much emphasis on the relationship between the individual and G’d, and this relationship is mainly accentuated by various dogma’s or creeds that are believed in. An example of this among Pentecostalists would be to ask the question whether one believes that the gifts of the spirit are for today, an example among Reformists would be to ask whether one believes that he is saved by grace alone.
This is all so foreign to the question that Jewish people ask among each other; you keep Shabbat? you daven? Obviously the answers to these questions indicate some of the beliefs that are associated with the level of observance, an example would be whether or not they believe in TMS, but theres much more emphasis on deeds and the relationship of the community as a whole wrt G´d. This too, is one of the things that makes me feel attracted to Judaism.
So Im living in the paradox, or as some call it, no-man’s land, but for now, Im ok with it, if this is the only way to follow my Rabbi, then so be it. I recall His words:
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head
May it be His will that I will live up to the words of Peter:
Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away
ואמרו אמן
Be careful, my friend. Many who have gone before you along this path have ended up converted, divorced, and/or made shipwreck of their faith in YESHUA. An unbalanced feeding at the trough of rabbinic Judaism can lead to trouble. There is truth to glean in both Judaism and Christianity….and plenty of error in both as well.
I will be praying for you.
It is not easy to dwell in “no-man’s land” but “the power of paradox opens our eyes, and blinds those who say they can see.” (Michael Card). Speaking of whom…I heard Michael Card was a Sabbath keeper. Wonder where he is in his journey these days.
Keep writing. You have a nice blog and your thoughts are very interesting.
Hi Maureen,
Tnx for your comment. My intention is not to convert and as I said in my previous post my consistent answer has been no. This however does not mean its easy or something that can be brushed away easily.. there somehows remains this attraction.. its a complicated state of being but one that feels closest to our Rabbi.
Blessings,
Daniel
Dear friend of my! I appreciate your struggling. Do not wonder about it! (First, apologize for my poor English, forgive my faults.) You are a young guy growing up in a time of big changes and challenges. For sure changing times, with a great future according to the prophets. I am very happy to see people going back to the roots, going back to Thora. What’s the difference between Thora and Yeshua? Tell me. Why does a Christian comes to Thora when he comes to real faith in Yeshua? Because there is no difference. G’d revealed Himself to man, in fact to His people two times in history. First about 1500 bce in Letter, in His Word, His Thora. Second in flesh, the Word has become flesh. First and second is “Echad”: Sjema Yisrael Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad! Yeshua does fulfill the Thora. No other G’d, no other religion, no other experience. And the third revelation has to come: We will see Him on the clouds. Again, same experience. You know this experience? G’d revealed in the heart? Blessed be you in Yeshua haMassiach! Then you expect a world of tsedakah. And now, you are on a journey as a pilgrim. Before you cannot have another state as you are (become) a follower of Yeshua. And now Yeshua is cast out of the city for nearly 2000 years. With His people. We are dwelling in the dessert. But it’s a great state! I would not prefer any other condition without Him being with me. Nothing make you satisfied but Him. Read this: Hebr.13:10-14: “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” May it be in our days. We have an eye on the world to come. Who wants to live in this age of great apostasy? And a temple destroyed? Where do we stay now since the century of Enlightenment? Isn’t it a very dark ending with two world wars and six million of dead Jews? But you found Yisrael, the very beginning of salvation and restoring of the religion. The beginning of the redemption of the exile under the Roman empire. Also for the church: the beginning of the restoration of the original faith in Yeshua haMassiach and the end of heresy and apostasy. You’re welcome Daniel, very welcome on the border of a new age, may it be Yeshua’s day!
Who are the real Jews (so to say)? Not only the circumcised, not only the ethnic Jews, not the Christians only in name, but you who are called to His faith. And you who are converted your heart. As HaSjem said: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart” Jer.4:4, and I will punish them..[Judah]…. for…. all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.” Jer.9:26.
We are fully adopted by faith. “And thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree.” (Rom.11:17) In fact you will inherit Judaism. And thus, we have also Thora in us and became (as it where) Jews.
So I think, we don’t have to convert to Judaism or Cristianity in a certain sense, but we have to convert our heart to G’d in obeying his words and take an honest journey for seeking the truth. In this way we will recognize ourself and the people of G’d trough all the generations. By prayer to HaSjem and guidance of the Ruach haKodesh. We will become One, one people, one G’d, one Shalom! Because we have one King who is gathering His people. To reign.
I recognize your struggling,
Be blessed!
Jos
Hey Jos,
Thanks for posting a comment, and let me say upfront that your English is very good, no need to apologize:)
Im thankful for your reminder, you are right that Yeshua has been cast out and thus it would only be natural for us to be too.
I like this phrase of yours:
Although I still wonder what if you take an honest journey for seeking the truth and find out that Judaism makes much more sense than Christianity, save for who Messiah is?
I guess again we arrive at the paradox that this is reality and reality does not always present the right combination, which in our case would be, a Judaism that honours Yeshua as the Messiah.
G’d zegene je,
Daniel