Messianic Judaism: A purpose that angered many

There has been renewed focus, as of late, to make Messianic Judaism more Jewish.

Some have well intentions: being true to our Jewish nature and tradition, bringing more Jews into Messianic Judaism. Giving a place for Judaism to continue.

Others have foolish intentions: “We must be an authentic, recognizable Judaism!”, they say. “Only then will we be recognized in the Jewish world and move into the Jewish space!”

And yet others have used this as an opportunity to distance Messianic Judaism from independent Messianics, Torah-for-Christians folks, two houses of Israel advocates, gentiles called out from the Church, gentiles interested in returning to Hebraic roots of Jesus faith, and other followers of Messiah they deem undesirable.

(Talk about a load of negative, exclusionist religion!)

I’ve made it no secret: I think some of our leaders have an inferiority complex that ultimately hurts Messianic Judaism more than it helps. We’re a Jewish movement by our own right: we follow the only authentic Jewish Messiah. We don’t need others’ approval or recognition to feel secure about our faith and identity. Nor do we need to be a movement that shuns gentiles, or that lets gentiles operate only peripherally.

What is our purpose?

Rabbi Joshua from the Yinon blog asks, “What is our purpose?”

His answer is: “Messianic Judaism’s primary goal has been to be a home and way of life for Jewish followers of Yeshua.”

I see things differently. Yes, of course Messianic Judaism is for Jews returning to Messiah – but it’s more than that.

God has done something huge, folks. He has sparked a Jewish return to Messiah, and a gentile reformation. A spiritual awakening among both Israel and the nations. Simultaneously. It’s happened in the last 40 years, and continues to this day. The result is Messianic Judaism.

It is undeniable: go to any Messianic congregation – why are there so many gentiles? Why are they worshipping with Jews? Why are they keeping God’s commandments? Why are they loving Israel? Why do they love the Jewish people? Why are gentiles called to learn and practice and teach the Scriptures of Israel?

It’s from God, folks. Yes, the Torah-for-Christians people. Yes, the two houses of Israel people. Yes, the young gentile man drawn to Messianic Judaism and the Jewish people. Yes, that gentile overflowing with joy in worshipping among Jews – it’s all from God.

Messianic Judaism is furthering the work of the Reformation. And it’s God’s doing. God’s bringing his people – both Jews and gentiles – into maturity. Reforming our old ways and bringing us to fresh truth of Messiah, and holiness through his commandments. That’s God’s doing.

It’s that huge.

This view angers many! In fact, there are probably a few commenters already furiously typing away at long, angry replies, laden with insults and accusations and slander.

It doesn’t matter, they’re irrelevant. God is at work.

I’m not the only one who sees things this way. John McKee of Outreach Israel Ministries writes in Is God’s Purpose Bigger?,

[T]he Messianic movement is really designed to complete the work of the Reformation, bring all of Israel together, and see a unique faith community of Jewish and non-Jewish Believers emerge.

Many people honestly do throw their hands up in the air and ask, “What happened to the love and grace of Yeshua? What happened to the work of the Holy Spirit? Where is God really leading us?”

We are certainly not being led to a place by God where there are two sub-peoples of God: Messianic Jews and evangelical Christians.

The unity that all of God’s people are to have—either Jewish or non-Jewish—is to be a testimony of the greater redemption to come. We have the capability to be a faith community that is a real force of holiness and righteousness. Many more than just Jews and Christians are to ultimately be affected.

The latter half of John’s statement reminds me of a song written by Messianic pioneer Joel Chernoff:

Jew and Gentile one in Messiah

Help us, Father, to love one another

With humble hearts, forgiving each other

Heal our wounds, bind us together,

That the world might believe

What is our purpose? Our purpose is the restoration of Israel.

All the gentiles in the Messianic movement? They’re not a by-product. They’re not a side-effect. They’re not something to be embarrassed about. They’re not something to be shunned. They are here because God brought them, just as he brought Jews to Yeshua, so God is bringing gentiles to holiness through his commandments.

Praise God for doing this awesome act! Thanks to God he’s moving today among both Jews and gentiles. As the psalmist wrote,

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.