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December Conundrum

The December Conundrum & the Jewish People

December is known by many adjectives – cold, wintry, festive, etc.  Probably many of us do not think of the month of December as conflicting and confusing and dare I even write the phrase – “a conundrum of polar opposite expectations and desires.”

Yet, there have been stories in USA Today, the Texas Jewish Post, and the Jews for Jesus website about what they call the December dilemma which ultimately revolves around the question – Hanukkah or Christmas?  Questions such as -- Is it okay for a Jewish person to have a Christmas tree?  What will my mother think if she sees my husband’s Menorah displayed and not her grandmother’s fruitcake tray? – must be asked and answered … especially before the mother-in-law came for the yearly visit!

And so while I realize that most of you will be reading this article after the tinsel is vacuumed up from the floor and the newest “must have toy” has been replaced by the box it came in as the child’s favorite present, I still want to offer a solution to this conundrum-laden question – Jesus of Nazareth.  We can imagine that Jesus celebrated his birthday as well as Hanukkah (John 10:22).  We know that Jesus loved joyful celebrations and events (i.e., Wedding at Cana).  We also know that Jesus did not come to confuse and create crisis in our homes.  So, obviously, Jesus must have an answer for those confused by these two joyful yet seemingly distinct holidays.

First, we need to restore “Christmas” to its original concept.  For while most of recognize that Jesus was not born on December 25th, we can still set aside a time to remember that He was born and that His incarnational appearing foreshadowed our salvation hope that was realized on the cross of Calvary.  Let us actually do something to limit the commercialization of Jesus’ birth and maybe give Jesus the present of sharing His life with someone who needs to know Him.  Second, we as believers need to recognize that the holidays Jesus celebrated can be celebrated by those of us who are not Jewish.  Hanukkah, Passover, Purim, etc., are not segregated from us but can be used by us as a witnessing tool for Jesus.  Third, we need to find a way to “restore” Jesus’ Jewishness – including the fact that Jesus probably “spinned a dreidel or two” during His life on earth – to him.  The moment we acknowledge this truth is the moment that Jewish people might begin to realize that the most Jewish thing they can do is to receive the Jewish Messiah Jesus as their savior.  This would take care of any and all conundrums.  It only requires that we confront the conundrum and not run from it.

Jewish Evangelism

Why Isn’t Jewish Evangelism More Prominent in American Churches?

This is a question I ask myself not just on a daily basis but on an hourly even minute-by-minute basis.  Romans 1:16 is clear – “to the Jew first.”  Jesus’ heart broke for His lost brothers and sisters in the flesh (Matt 23).  So why isn’t Jewish evangelism more prominent in American (even worldwide) churches.  I am going to give you three short reasons.  One will probably make you mad.  One will probably make you sad.  And the third will prayerfully convict and equip you the readers of Tzedakah Times to do something about it in your church and community!

Maddening! Today, watched as yet “TV evangelist” negated the need for Jewish evangelism.  He did this even while “hawking” Jewish objects for sale.  What is so maddening about this “preacher” is that his lies accomplish two evils – (1) it confuses the Jewish people who believe Christians really do not think they need Jesus and (2) it creates this confusion within the Church about the urgent necessity of Jewish evangelism and Romans 1:16.  These heretical and maddening preachers must be confronted and condemned as the souls of Jewish people are at stake if we do nothing!

Heartbreaking! Many Christians and churches apparently do not care about the eternal destiny of God’s Chosen Ones.  While this should make you angry, it should also break your heart over the condition (Laodicea or Sardis … you decide) of American churches.  We have lost our power.  We have lost our witness.  We have lost our effectiveness.  And I would like to propose to you that one way to regain our voice in this 21st century post-modern and even post-Christian society is to regain our voice for Jewish evangelism.  Failure to do so truly fits the definition of heartbreaking.

Equipping! There is still so much that can and must be done in the area of Jewish missions and evangelism.  The first article of this newsletter truly is only the tipping point of what God can do in our lives and in our churches if we simply regain a Romans 1:16 vision.  Is it not time that we lose our myopic eyesight of what God will do and allow God to show us what He will do if we simply follow His design for evangelism!  It can be done but it will take all of us to make it happen!