One of the most daunting tasks we face as Messianic Believers, not just as Rabbis, Rebbetzins, or Worship leaders, but every believer, Jew or Gentile who has received Yeshua is the Redemption of our families, our parents, our siblings, our children and grandchildren, and our people. Millions of dollars, a plethora of resources, extreme effort, and copious amounts time have been spent on the unreached people groups of the world by the greater body of Messiah, yet Israel and the Jewish people are rarely if ever included in that mix.
One of my favorite pastimes and hobbies is sparing with the Jehovah’s Witnesses when they show up at the door (though they have recently blacklisted me). If we are busy or heading out the door I will just point at our Mezuzah on our front door, tell them I’m Jewish, and they will immediately graciously apologize and back down the steps! It’s like this across the board with all Christian denominations, it’s a travesty. I have the great honor and privilege of routinely speaking in churches across the country and I have yet, to date, found a church that operates their ministries according to scripture:
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the Good News, since it is God's powerful means of bringing salvation to everyone who keeps on trusting, to the Jew especially, but equally to the Gentile.
This is God’s plan of evangelism! In fact, this very subject is endemic to the Messianic movement. We are all familiar with Yeshua’s words He spoke at the end of Matthew.
Matthew 23:39. For I tell you, from now on, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI.'"
Yeshua, as reveals by His own words, doesn’t return until Israel, our people call Him back! As Zechariah states we will en-mass, as a people mourn the lost son of the House of Israel, Yeshua (Zechariah 12:10)! Every Jewish person that comes to know and receive Yeshua is one person closer to Yeshua’s return. For those who are already saved we are told in:
II Peter 3:12. as you wait for the Day of God and work to hasten its coming. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat;
Hasten in the Greek is Spuedo, that which was intended for later to come now. The single most important act any believer, either Jew or Gentile can do to hasten Yeshua’s return is to work and strive towards the salvation of Israel.
Romans 11:25-26. For, brothers, I want you to understand this truth which God formerly concealed but has now revealed, so that you won't imagine you know more than you actually do. It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come upon Isra'el, until the Gentile world enters in its fullness; 26 and that it is in this way that all Isra'el will be saved. As the Tanakh says, "Out of Tziyon will come the Redeemer; he will turn away ungodliness from Ya'akov.
Fullness in the Greek is pleroma {play'-ro-mah}: filled, completeness, abundance, play ro mah is from the root word pleroo {play-ro'-o} means to fill, to complete, nothing wanting, bring to realization, to come to maturity! The maturity of the Gentile believers, when they realize whom, they are grafted into (Israel), as they mature the Gentiles, the Church will begin to understand they are grafted into the Jewish rooted Olive Tree through Messiah Yeshua. They’ll (the Church) will begin to zealously reach out to the Jewish People, to Israel! No giving money to the Orthodox Jews but will press Jewish people to come to salvation in Yeshua, to be redeemed. Verse 26 Sha’ul is quoting:
Isaiah 59:20. "Then a Redeemer will come to Tziyon, to those in Ya'akov who turn from rebellion." So says ADONAI.
Redeemer in Hebrew is Go’el, which comes from the root word ga'al: "to redeem", to act as kinsman redeemer, to redeem from slavery, to redeem individuals from death, to redeem Israel from Egyptian bondage, and to redeem Israel from exile. Go’el is the one doing the redeeming, Yeshua who does His work through us.
II Corinthians 5:18. And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation,
As Jewish believers there is nothing more profound, more compelling, and more inspiring than to know that we stand on the shoulders and work of Sha’ul, Matthew, Yohannan, Yaacov (James), and the others Messianic Talmidim. We have the same commission and calling as they, and how magnificently awe-inspiring they carried out their mission sharing Messiah, they changed the world and so will you!
Yet it proves today as it did 2,000 years ago to be a daunting task, a difficult task that we struggle with. Jewish evangelism is hard! We all struggle with this whether we admit it or not. Every one of our congregations pray and intercede for more Jewish believers! Every person here right now has a family member we hope and pray will discover and find Yeshua!
We, God’s emissaries must be bold, strong, and courageous, in sharing Yeshua, our redeemer to our family, friends, people, and even the nations! It’s not up to someone else, or relinquished to a threefold flyer, or a t-shirt with an edgy, catchy phrase. We, you and I, are God’s voice piece, His emissary. Sure, there are different formats and patterns for different areas, both geographically and socioeconomically, but these differences are minor. We are God’s army, we, Messianic Israel, are God’s strategic weapon of salvation in this hour, not because we are big and strong but because we are the exact opposite. May I boldly remind you of God’s promise to us?
Deuteronomy 7:7-8. ADONAI didn't set his heart on you or choose you because you numbered more than any other people - on the contrary, you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 Rather, it was because ADONAI loved you, and because he wanted to keep the oath which he had sworn to your ancestors, that ADONAI brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from a life of slavery under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
We live in time of restoration, provision, and empowerment for those who will say “Hineni”, those who will stand in the gap no matter the cost. Those who will be radically sold out to God like Pinchas, Joshua, and Caleb. Those who would see the obstacles, difficulties, and even danger we face yet be like Elisha when his servant in II Kings 6 awoke to see a mighty army from Aram surrounding them and Elisha answered, "Don't be afraid - those who are with us outnumber those who are with them!" 17 Elisha prayed, "ADONAI, I ask you to open his eyes, so that he can see." Then ADONAI opened the young man's eyes, and he saw: there before him, all around Elisha, the mountain was covered with horses and fiery chariots “. As we press forward in fulfilling our commission, I pray that God would open our eyes that we would see that those that are with us outnumber by the millions those that stand against us! We must be radically bold, not timid or shy.
II Timothy 1:7-8. For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and self-discipline. 8 So don't be ashamed of bearing testimony to our Lord or to me, his prisoner. On the contrary, accept your share in suffering disgrace for the sake of the Good News. God will give you the strength for it,
As an Ordained Messianic Rabbi of the International Alliance of Messianic Synagogues and Congregations (I.A.M.C.S.) and a member of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (M.J.A.A.) I am not commissioned by them or God to be a storyteller, an orator, or to spin a yarn, telling Hebraic lore from days of old. I'm here to present the word of God in truth, spirit and power. Any and all embellishments are added to fulfill what I believe our commission is:
1. Give God's word in a topical, relevant manner that reflects and responds to the times and season we live in.
2. Demonstrate God's power through His word to share and introduce Yeshua!
Our Reverence and Fear of God is not just what we say but what we do. I often refer to the book of Acts, especially the early chapters that reveal supernatural event after supernatural event. Chapter one records the ascension of Yeshua to Heaven, Chapter 2 records the Shavuot immediately following Yeshua's death and resurrection 2,000 years ago when heaven invaded an upper room with 120 Jewish followers of Messiah who were filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, began speaking in tongues and three thousand Jewish people were saved that day! Chapter three records the radical healing of a crippled man since birth at Gate Beautiful of the Temple through Peter and John who were on their way to the Temple to pray at 3pm! This event resulted in 5,000 being saved that day followed by their subsequent arrest in Chapter four for sharing Yeshua’s death and resurrection in the Temple Courtyard. Here is where I want to dig in and come back to our principle:
Acts 4:5-13. The next day, the people's rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim, 6 along with 'Anan the cohen hagadol, Kayafa, Yochanan, Alexander and the other men from the family of the cohen hagadol. 7 They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, "By what power or in what name did you do this?" 8 Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done for a disabled person, if you want to know how he was restored to health, 10 then let it be known to you and to all the people of Isra'el that it is in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua from Natzeret, whom you had executed on a stake as a criminal but whom God has raised from the dead, that this man stands before you perfectly healed. 11 "This Yeshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!" 13 When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained 'am-ha'aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua.
Having spent the night in jail for the previous day’s supernatural healing, detained for demonstrating signs and wonders, it’s the supernatural that garners everyone’s attention! Kefa and Yochana are not frazzled, mad, or angry at God for being arrested, nor flippant, arrogant, frustrated, or prideful in their situation. When they are brought forth and questioned Kefa, Peter is filled with the DUNAMIS POWER OF GOD and uses this situation to share the Good News! Remember the words of Yeshua in:
Acts 1:8. But you will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh comes upon you; you will be my witnesses both in Yerushalayim and in all Y'hudah and Shomron, indeed to the ends of the earth!"
Kefa is filled with the Ruach, the Power of God which is "koach" in Hebrew strength, vigor, ability, force, fruit, might, and wealth of God! Before this esteemed group of Men (It would be similar to one of us being called to testify before the Orthodox Union or the U.S. Congress)
Revelation 12:11 (TLV). They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death.
Radical times call for radical people. God wants to radicalize you. He wants to fill you with His Ruach and His power that you will be His bold witness. Some are going to start receiving visions, others the Ruach, to some He is releasing the gift of prophecy, to others healing……An upper room experience, a road to Damascus encounter……..
Acts 4:29-33 . "So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!" 31 While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God's message with boldness. 32 All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had. 33 With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard.
The place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Ruach which resulted in them speaking Gods message with boldness and fervency, and they were all held in high regard!! May Adonai enable us to do the same!
One of my favorite pastimes and hobbies is sparing with the Jehovah’s Witnesses when they show up at the door (though they have recently blacklisted me). If we are busy or heading out the door I will just point at our Mezuzah on our front door, tell them I’m Jewish, and they will immediately graciously apologize and back down the steps! It’s like this across the board with all Christian denominations, it’s a travesty. I have the great honor and privilege of routinely speaking in churches across the country and I have yet, to date, found a church that operates their ministries according to scripture:
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the Good News, since it is God's powerful means of bringing salvation to everyone who keeps on trusting, to the Jew especially, but equally to the Gentile.
This is God’s plan of evangelism! In fact, this very subject is endemic to the Messianic movement. We are all familiar with Yeshua’s words He spoke at the end of Matthew.
Matthew 23:39. For I tell you, from now on, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI.'"
Yeshua, as reveals by His own words, doesn’t return until Israel, our people call Him back! As Zechariah states we will en-mass, as a people mourn the lost son of the House of Israel, Yeshua (Zechariah 12:10)! Every Jewish person that comes to know and receive Yeshua is one person closer to Yeshua’s return. For those who are already saved we are told in:
II Peter 3:12. as you wait for the Day of God and work to hasten its coming. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat;
Hasten in the Greek is Spuedo, that which was intended for later to come now. The single most important act any believer, either Jew or Gentile can do to hasten Yeshua’s return is to work and strive towards the salvation of Israel.
Romans 11:25-26. For, brothers, I want you to understand this truth which God formerly concealed but has now revealed, so that you won't imagine you know more than you actually do. It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come upon Isra'el, until the Gentile world enters in its fullness; 26 and that it is in this way that all Isra'el will be saved. As the Tanakh says, "Out of Tziyon will come the Redeemer; he will turn away ungodliness from Ya'akov.
Fullness in the Greek is pleroma {play'-ro-mah}: filled, completeness, abundance, play ro mah is from the root word pleroo {play-ro'-o} means to fill, to complete, nothing wanting, bring to realization, to come to maturity! The maturity of the Gentile believers, when they realize whom, they are grafted into (Israel), as they mature the Gentiles, the Church will begin to understand they are grafted into the Jewish rooted Olive Tree through Messiah Yeshua. They’ll (the Church) will begin to zealously reach out to the Jewish People, to Israel! No giving money to the Orthodox Jews but will press Jewish people to come to salvation in Yeshua, to be redeemed. Verse 26 Sha’ul is quoting:
Isaiah 59:20. "Then a Redeemer will come to Tziyon, to those in Ya'akov who turn from rebellion." So says ADONAI.
Redeemer in Hebrew is Go’el, which comes from the root word ga'al: "to redeem", to act as kinsman redeemer, to redeem from slavery, to redeem individuals from death, to redeem Israel from Egyptian bondage, and to redeem Israel from exile. Go’el is the one doing the redeeming, Yeshua who does His work through us.
II Corinthians 5:18. And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation,
As Jewish believers there is nothing more profound, more compelling, and more inspiring than to know that we stand on the shoulders and work of Sha’ul, Matthew, Yohannan, Yaacov (James), and the others Messianic Talmidim. We have the same commission and calling as they, and how magnificently awe-inspiring they carried out their mission sharing Messiah, they changed the world and so will you!
Yet it proves today as it did 2,000 years ago to be a daunting task, a difficult task that we struggle with. Jewish evangelism is hard! We all struggle with this whether we admit it or not. Every one of our congregations pray and intercede for more Jewish believers! Every person here right now has a family member we hope and pray will discover and find Yeshua!
We, God’s emissaries must be bold, strong, and courageous, in sharing Yeshua, our redeemer to our family, friends, people, and even the nations! It’s not up to someone else, or relinquished to a threefold flyer, or a t-shirt with an edgy, catchy phrase. We, you and I, are God’s voice piece, His emissary. Sure, there are different formats and patterns for different areas, both geographically and socioeconomically, but these differences are minor. We are God’s army, we, Messianic Israel, are God’s strategic weapon of salvation in this hour, not because we are big and strong but because we are the exact opposite. May I boldly remind you of God’s promise to us?
Deuteronomy 7:7-8. ADONAI didn't set his heart on you or choose you because you numbered more than any other people - on the contrary, you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 Rather, it was because ADONAI loved you, and because he wanted to keep the oath which he had sworn to your ancestors, that ADONAI brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from a life of slavery under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
We live in time of restoration, provision, and empowerment for those who will say “Hineni”, those who will stand in the gap no matter the cost. Those who will be radically sold out to God like Pinchas, Joshua, and Caleb. Those who would see the obstacles, difficulties, and even danger we face yet be like Elisha when his servant in II Kings 6 awoke to see a mighty army from Aram surrounding them and Elisha answered, "Don't be afraid - those who are with us outnumber those who are with them!" 17 Elisha prayed, "ADONAI, I ask you to open his eyes, so that he can see." Then ADONAI opened the young man's eyes, and he saw: there before him, all around Elisha, the mountain was covered with horses and fiery chariots “. As we press forward in fulfilling our commission, I pray that God would open our eyes that we would see that those that are with us outnumber by the millions those that stand against us! We must be radically bold, not timid or shy.
II Timothy 1:7-8. For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and self-discipline. 8 So don't be ashamed of bearing testimony to our Lord or to me, his prisoner. On the contrary, accept your share in suffering disgrace for the sake of the Good News. God will give you the strength for it,
As an Ordained Messianic Rabbi of the International Alliance of Messianic Synagogues and Congregations (I.A.M.C.S.) and a member of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (M.J.A.A.) I am not commissioned by them or God to be a storyteller, an orator, or to spin a yarn, telling Hebraic lore from days of old. I'm here to present the word of God in truth, spirit and power. Any and all embellishments are added to fulfill what I believe our commission is:
1. Give God's word in a topical, relevant manner that reflects and responds to the times and season we live in.
2. Demonstrate God's power through His word to share and introduce Yeshua!
Our Reverence and Fear of God is not just what we say but what we do. I often refer to the book of Acts, especially the early chapters that reveal supernatural event after supernatural event. Chapter one records the ascension of Yeshua to Heaven, Chapter 2 records the Shavuot immediately following Yeshua's death and resurrection 2,000 years ago when heaven invaded an upper room with 120 Jewish followers of Messiah who were filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, began speaking in tongues and three thousand Jewish people were saved that day! Chapter three records the radical healing of a crippled man since birth at Gate Beautiful of the Temple through Peter and John who were on their way to the Temple to pray at 3pm! This event resulted in 5,000 being saved that day followed by their subsequent arrest in Chapter four for sharing Yeshua’s death and resurrection in the Temple Courtyard. Here is where I want to dig in and come back to our principle:
Acts 4:5-13. The next day, the people's rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim, 6 along with 'Anan the cohen hagadol, Kayafa, Yochanan, Alexander and the other men from the family of the cohen hagadol. 7 They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, "By what power or in what name did you do this?" 8 Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done for a disabled person, if you want to know how he was restored to health, 10 then let it be known to you and to all the people of Isra'el that it is in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua from Natzeret, whom you had executed on a stake as a criminal but whom God has raised from the dead, that this man stands before you perfectly healed. 11 "This Yeshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!" 13 When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained 'am-ha'aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua.
Having spent the night in jail for the previous day’s supernatural healing, detained for demonstrating signs and wonders, it’s the supernatural that garners everyone’s attention! Kefa and Yochana are not frazzled, mad, or angry at God for being arrested, nor flippant, arrogant, frustrated, or prideful in their situation. When they are brought forth and questioned Kefa, Peter is filled with the DUNAMIS POWER OF GOD and uses this situation to share the Good News! Remember the words of Yeshua in:
Acts 1:8. But you will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh comes upon you; you will be my witnesses both in Yerushalayim and in all Y'hudah and Shomron, indeed to the ends of the earth!"
Kefa is filled with the Ruach, the Power of God which is "koach" in Hebrew strength, vigor, ability, force, fruit, might, and wealth of God! Before this esteemed group of Men (It would be similar to one of us being called to testify before the Orthodox Union or the U.S. Congress)
Revelation 12:11 (TLV). They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death.
Radical times call for radical people. God wants to radicalize you. He wants to fill you with His Ruach and His power that you will be His bold witness. Some are going to start receiving visions, others the Ruach, to some He is releasing the gift of prophecy, to others healing……An upper room experience, a road to Damascus encounter……..
Acts 4:29-33 . "So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!" 31 While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God's message with boldness. 32 All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had. 33 With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard.
The place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Ruach which resulted in them speaking Gods message with boldness and fervency, and they were all held in high regard!! May Adonai enable us to do the same!
Posted in July 2025