The Myth Of The “Jewish Jesus”

Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins: – Mat 9:17

A result of the current research into the historical Jesus that has been accepted, nay, embraced, by the Church is the “discovery” of the Jewish Jesus.

Simply put, the theory goes that contemporary Christianity has excised Jesus away from His Jewish/Hebrew roots and portrayed Him in opposition to it. The contention is that Jesus was a FULL Jew who lived in a fully Jewish culture and lived a fully Jewish life; and the Church must acknowledge this fact. And while we’re at that, they insist that His real name is Yashu’a, NOT the anglicised “Jesus” that we keep using.

The “Jewish Jesus” doctrine has done much good in terms of re-presenting a fresh, hitherto unconsidered facet of Christ. As an evangelical tool, it has enabled the Gospel make inroads to Jews around the world who are more open to a Mashiyach (Messiah) that is kindred to them.

Unfortunately – typical of everything we touch – extremism has crept into this noble concept. Now we hear of Believers being asked to celebrate Jewish feasts like Yom Kippur, pray exclusively in the name of Yeshu’a Hamashiach, and tap into “the power of the tallith (Jewish prayer shawl)”.

Not only are the proponents giving Believers the impression they’re missing out in not acknowledging Jesus’ Hebrew Roots, but some even go to the point of implying that not going Jewish is disobedience to God’s command.

But this craze is nothing more than erroneous nostalgia; because the Torah-observant, Moses-honouring ‘Jesus’ that they’re trying to paint never existed!

It’s incorrect to say that the Jesus of scripture had no problems with the Jewish rituals and even “encouraged” their practice. From the very beginnings of His ministry, He was already dismantling it and by the time His Christianity became fully formed, it had cleanly cut itself from the umbilical cord of Mosaic ritualism. The first Christians, who by the way were 100% Jewish, NEVER celebrated the Day of Atonement and as a matter of fact, equated it’s celebration with apostasy (see Hebrews 10).

Jesus came to die for all of humanity, and in Christianity “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Col 3:11)

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

gregelkan@h0tmail. com