Shalom Aleichem

The Jewish Jesus

Christianity is deeply rooted in Judaism. Jesus was Jewish, He was not a Christian. Jesus was a Rabbi or teacher and He taught the scripture of the Jewish Bible to His disciples. Many of us forget this fact. So, what does this mean for us? Simply, our roots are Judaic. When Jesus sacrificed Himself for humankind He broke the sacrificial system of Judaism. Animal sacrifices were no longer needed for the forgiveness of sin.

The Sacrifice

Let’s look at the sacrifice of the Jews. There were many sacrifices made by the Jews in the temple system. There were peace sacrifices, sin sacrifices and others offered to God by the Jews. There were detailed procedures for these sacrifices which can be found in the book of Leviticus. But if we focus on the subject of the sacrifice we will see that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice offered to God.

In Leviticus 22:17-25 God tells Moses what the Hebrews may not sacrifice and what they may sacrifice, this detail in scripture illustrates Christ. “if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats. You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you.” Leviticus 22:19-20 ESV. This was Jesus. He was a male without blemish. He was perfect and while He emptied himself by taking on human form He essentially emptied Himself by addition. Jesus remained God when on earth but veiled His deity. We see this when His deity was revealed to Peter, John, and James on the mount of transfiguration. Jesus was without sin. He was perfect, without flaw. Again, the propitiation of Christ was based on the Judaic temple sacrifices. However, those sacrifices had to be repeated. Jesus broke the sacrificial system because His sacrifice permanently erased sin and death. The need for burnt offerings or blood sacrifices was no longer necessary. The blood of Christ, for those who place their faith in Him, washes the sinner clean of sin.

Passover

I find the ties to Judaism so important and believe that we should recognize the ties we share. The Passover is a demonstration of God’s providence and mercy. The Passover in Exodus reveals Christ to us. Moses was told by God that the lamb should a male without blemish. The Lamb sacrificed and the blood on the door frame and lentil reveal Christ. The sacrifice and blood of the Passover was a sacrifice to God that prevented the death of those covered by the blood. Conversely, Jesus eliminated death by covering us in his blood and offering eternal life. The fact that Jesus was sacrificed over the Passover was no accident. It was designed to reveal to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah and the perfect sacrifice.

Rosh Hashana

While this is looked at as the Jewish new year we are tied to it as Judaism celebrates the creation of Adam and Eve. It is a time of prayer for a re-creation of self. A prayer to be reborn and cleansed as Adam and Eve were created sinless prior to the fall. It is a new start to a cleansed life.

Yom Kippur

On this day Jews celebrate the day when Moses brought down the second set of the ten commandments from Sinai. After breaking the first set at the rebellion of the Hebrews. Moses pleaded with God not to destroy the Hebrews because of their sin and God relented. God gave Moses two more tablets of stone containing the ten commandments writing the words with the finger of God.

Sukkot – The Feast of Tabernacles

This feast is a remembrance of the exodus from Egypt. This is certainly something we should remember as it is a display of the strength, power, and mercy of God. As God delivered and protected the Hebrews from the slavery of Egypt, it is a reflection of the strength, power, and mercy of Christ who released us from the slavery of sin.

Shavuot – The Feast of Weeks

This occurs 50 days after Passover. It is a celebration of Moses receiving the ten commandants. Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή) is the Greek word for this holiday. On Pentecost, the Apostles received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. On this day Peter preached the Gospel and over 5000 people were saved. I think that is something to celebrate!

As you can see these, and other Jewish holidays are tied to Christianity. While many Jews did not recognize the Messiah, those who did, became “Christians” and; the scripture we share reveals Jesus. Jesus was a Jew and He taught the scripture of the Torah and the Bible including all areas of the entire Old Testament. The history of the Jewish people reveals God’s plan of redemption for humankind. Shalom Aleichem! Peace be upon you!