On a recent visit to Israel, I had the privilege of attending a week-night Bible study provided for the homeless and others afflicted with various addictions.
As the meeting opened, the leader welcomed me and asked me to share a few words. Speaking through two interpreters - Hebrew and Russian - I shared my testimony of coming to faith in Jesus - of repenting of my sin and trusting in his atoning sacrifice as payment for my sin. I spoke of my desire to tell others of the forgiveness of sins available in Jesus. Without warning, a homeless woman in the group interrupted me. Speaking in flawless English, she said:
“I was raised in a Jewish home. We faithfully attended synagogue where I was taught to obey God by following Moses. I have attended a few of these studies and you are telling us to follow Jesus. Now I’m standing in the middle - between Moses and Jesus. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know who to follow - Moses or Jesus?”
I responded by saying that if she truly followed Moses, she would eventually find Jesus, for Moses spoke of Jesus. Jesus said:
“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me” (John 5:46).*
After a bit more conversation, I suggested the Bible study leader take over so that everyone present could better enter into the discussion about following Jesus.
Since that evening in Israel, I’ve been reflecting on how Moses spoke of Jesus.
We read in the gospel of Luke (New Testament Scriptures) about Yeshua (Jesus) encountering two men walking along the road to Emmaus. This was following his death, burial and resurrection. As Jesus approached the men, the Scriptures record that they were “kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:16). He asked them what they were intently discussing and they related the events of the previous days - the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. This was the one who they had hoped was the Messiah, the one who would redeem Israel. But he had been put to death, and it seemed all hope was lost. Now, amazingly, the tomb of Yeshua (Jesus) had been found empty and that women had been told by angels that Yeshua was alive!
As they continued walking, Yeshua responded:
“‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ (Messiah) have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27).
I am convinced that a proper reading of the Tanach - the Hebrew Scriptures that Christians refer to as the Old Testament - leads directly to Yeshua. Isaiah spoke of him as the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53:1-12.
Though many would have us believe that Jesus is for Gentiles, we are convinced that he is first of all for his own people - the people of Israel. Along with rabbi-turned-apostle, Saul of Tarsus, who was later named Paul, we are
“…not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is reavealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17).
We believe Jesus is for all who will acknowledge their sin and need of a Savior. It is this wonderful gospel of God’s grace that we want to share with all who are open to listening.
We welcome your comment and response to our belief that salvation is found in Yeshua alone.