Jews, Messianics and Christians—Where's the Unity?

Below are some thoughts, observations and opinions about unity within the Greater Body of Messiah.

Diagram 1 – Faith Overlap

It is no surprise that Messianics are in a unique situation. They can be found in the middle of the Rabbinic Jewish and Protestant Christian faiths. They identify with Rabbinic Jews because they believe that the Torah, the Law of God, is relevant for believers today while simultaneously identifying with Christians; because they believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is Messiah. Many Messianics have come out of Christianity to return to the Hebraic Roots of their faith. Some find that now they identify more with Rabbinic Jews than they do with their Christian brothers. They become enamored with the traditions of the Orthodox Rabbinic Jews and usually embrace an American-Ashkenazi expression of worship. It seems that these Messianics relate to those who 'do' what they do more than those who 'believe' what they believe. To an extent, this thinking is correct because in Hebraic thought 'doing' and 'believing' are inseparable. But their desire to adopt Rabbinic traditions has no merit in the Rabbinic Jewish community.

Diagram 2 – Faith Relationships

The Children of Israel were called to be a light to the nations, but Rabbinic Jews have made little effort to reach out to non-Jews with the truth of the Torah. This is why, in the diagram above, there are no arrows coming out of the brown circle representing Rabbinic Judaism. The green circle represents Protestant Christianity while the blue circle represents the modern Messianic Community.

Below is an explanation of the arrows in the diagram which represent relationships between these faiths.

1. Welcome: Rabbinic Jews are willing to associate with Christians in select venues because they see Christianity as a separate and distinctly different faith. The Jews have the Old Testament and the Christians have the New Testament. The Jews have Adonai and the Christians have Jesus. But today, more Christians are realizing the importance of Israel and the Jewish people in relation to the return of Jesus. The result is an abundance of Christian groups who support Israel. Without a doubt, the Jewish people are grateful for this support but by and large, this effort to 'reach out' is not reciprocal.
   
   
   
2. Welcome: Christians are more accepting (or at least tolerant) of Messianics than Messianics are of Christians. This is an observation. I'm not saying that all Christians are lovey-dovey over Messianics. In fact some Christian leaders consider Messianics legalists or Judaizers. I am referring to personal, one-on-one relationships. Again, these are my observations and experiences. When we started The Front Range Messianic Community we met some Christians who supported us until we got on our feet. They never had anything negative to say about our Messianic beliefs. Since then, some of the most influential people that we've met have been Christians. They've inspired us and helped us and none of them have looked down on us because of our Messianic faith and practices. They may not totally agree with us but they haven't belittled or berated us either. We have a connection with them through Yeshua and His Ruach.
   
   
   
   
3. Not Welcome:  Messianics are not welcome in the Rabbinic Jewish Community--period. Messianics who think otherwise are mistaken. The Jews for Judaism article Is The Christian Movement Called "Messianic Judaism" a Form of Judaism? can shine some light on how Rabbinic Jews view Messianics, Jewish and non-Jewish. I don't blame Rabbinic Jews for the way they feel about us. I'm not mad at them for not accepting us or our Messiah. On the contrary, I pray for them and Israel. They are God's people whom He loves.
   
   
   
4. Not Welcome: I have seen some Messianics act hostile toward Christians. I'm not talking about all Messianics, but I know some who have ill feelings toward Christians. When the word Christian is mentioned, their face puckers at the thought of these Greek-minded pagan idolaters. I have to admit, I was like this early on in my walk in Torah. I was ready to bash any Sunday-keeper who crossed my path. But then I was reminded of the mercy and grace that my Savior extended to me when I was a pork-eating, Sunday-keeping Roman Catholic. I saw how I was not extending to my Christian brothers the same love and patience that Messiah extended to me. Christians are taught Christian doctrine; it's what they know and believe. Bashing them with the Torah isn't going to make them desire it. It will only repel them. It is a shame to see folks who have been walking in Torah for many years continue to disassociate with Christian brothers because they do not 'do' what we 'do'. Messianics have more in common with Christians than they do with Rabbinic Jews. We have Yeshua and His Ruach. Besides, Christians follow the Torah more than they realize and more than Messianics give them credit for. Regarding the Body of Messiah, Paul said:
   
   "Always be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of shalom."
   - Ephesians 4:2,3 CJB
   
   

Finally, what about unity within the Greater Messianic Community? Is this even possible? The Messianic Community has so many variations today, can we find a common ground to agree upon?

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