Grab your Bible, and let’s explore some of these questions to see if we can discover whether Jesus Christ was truly Jewish and what that means for us as faithful Christian followers.
Yes, of course, Jesus Christ was Jewish. But perhaps this makes you wonder: If Jesus was Jewish, why do we call ourselves Christians? What does this mean for Judaism? And what can be said about the Messianic movement?
If you’ve been pondering these questions, you’re not alone. These questions, among many others, have also crossed my mind. Although God’s Word is steadfast and clear, it can still be overwhelming and profound. Jesus Christ never ceases to amaze me! He still brings a bit of mystery with His incredible and truly extraordinary stories. Stories that always draw us back for more, eager for the truth, eager to learn His ways, and to gain wisdom, discernment, and insight.
So, my friend, I invite you to begin! Grab your Bible, and let’s explore some of these questions to see if we can discover whether Jesus Christ was truly Jewish and what that means for us as faithful Christian followers.
Read more : According to the Bible, did Jesus Christ rise from the dead?
فرست محتوا
Background of Jesus Christ
In the time of Jesus Christ, a person’s Jewish identity was determined by two factors: being born of a Jewish mother or converting to Judaism. Therefore, either their lineage traced back to the ancient Hebrews, or they converted to Judaism, becoming a new believer based on family values, beliefs, and practices.
Jesus Christ was Jewish by lineage. He was a descendant of Abraham and David (Matthew 1:1) and was born in Judea to Joseph and Mary, both Jewish parents (Matthew 1:6 and 2:1-2). He was raised in a Jewish family and learned the Bible and Jewish laws (Luke 2:40). Also, Hebrews 7:14 tells us that the Lord descended from Judah, the son of Jacob, from whom the word ‘Jew’ is derived.
Jesus Christ frequently taught in synagogues and the temple during His upbringing. His teachings aligned with the Torah and commandments, and He observed all Jewish customs. Jesus was considered a Jewish rabbi and was even titled the King of the Jews (John 19:21). As a Jew, He observed Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles (John 2:12 and John 7:2), both of which are Jewish traditions.
Jesus Christ was the Chosen Messiah
The Old Testament prophesied about a Jewish savior, someone chosen by God for a specific purpose: to restore and redeem Israel (Isaiah 9:6 and 53). Jesus came to save the Jewish people, bring justice to them, and offer peace. After all, at that time, Israel was ruled by a corrupt government that had caused much civil unrest. People were taxed so heavily that they could barely make ends meet, and there was very little freedom, especially regarding proper worship practices.
Thus, the Jewish people captured God’s heart, and He called them His chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:1-2, Galatians 3:29).
However, if the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were for all people and guaranteed salvation to anyone who trusted and believed in Him (John 3:16), the question naturally arises: Why did the Jewish people reject Him as the Son of God?
Pontius Pilate and Caiaphas, along with the Jewish and Roman leaders and the chief religious priests, and many other rulers at that time, struggled with spiritual battles of their own. They fought over who was a better Jew and how to worship correctly and properly. Let’s say that in many cases, their behavior wasn’t very “professional.”
There were also many false prophets trying to deceive people with hopeful words. So it was quite clear that the political and governmental sphere mocked and ridiculed Jesus Christ, accusing Him of blasphemy for calling Himself the Son of God, and many Jewish people followed them. They were simply misled and probably very confused during this time. This created an even greater divide between Gentiles and Jews.
However, God still had a plan and purpose for His people, as He always has. By being Jewish and teaching spiritual law according to the Torah, Jesus Christ was able to reach the “hearts” of the people and transform lives! That is why we see so many of His followers being changed when they encountered Him, faced what He truly was, and placed their trust and hope in Him alone!
The Origin of Christianity
So, while we may not be considered Jewish culturally or ethnically, we are still considered part of God’s family through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9). This applies to any culture that places its faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as well.
After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Jewish disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell within them (Acts 2:4). This allowed the disciples to go out and spread the good news of Jesus. This was the beginning of the Christian faith.
According to the Gospels, each account shares the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ and how Christianity was founded by Him.
The main difference here is defined and seen between those who denied Christ, believing He was merely a man, not the Son of God, and, on the other hand, Jewish Christians who believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.
Then, the well-known Apostle Paul declared Christianity as a true religion and made it his mission to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Being chosen and called by God gave him a heart to preach among both Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16), establishing churches in major cities and traveling against all odds with courage and fellow trusted companions to preach the Gospel of salvation.
The Christian Movement
Around the year 325 AD, a group of bishops and religious leaders gathered by order of the Roman Emperor Constantine to determine whether Jesus Christ was truly the Son of God and to compile the Gospels that make up the Bible. This forms the New Testament (Canon). However, this work lacked any recognition of the Jewish sect.
Religious division among people has always been a way for the enemy to create devastation and cause civil unrest. Therefore, instead of trying to understand and see how Jesus Christ was a man of God who came to save all people, many Christian leaders at that time severed their relationships and chose to view Jews who professed Judaism as non-believers, yet still as the chosen people whom God would somehow redeem.
However, after Israel was established as a nation in 1948, many Jewish leaders saw this as a sign from God that history was unfolding and prophecies were being fulfilled. This paved the way for the influence of Christianity. It was almost like a renewal and revival of the New Testament and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, combining Judaism and Christianity.
So, while the past fifty years or so have been a period of transition, it seems that an increasing number of Jewish people are coming to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Praise the Lord!
It may also be worth mentioning that being Jewish did not necessarily mean professing Judaism or living according to Jewish law. Similar to Christianity, someone might call themselves a Christian, but their lifestyle (and fruits) may suggest otherwise (Matthew 7:15-20).
This is why religion does not bring us into the Kingdom of Heaven. We know that man alone can never “act” or worship enough (or in the correct way) to gain eternity and live in His grace and presence. We know that this is achieved through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
So, as believers and knowing that Jesus Christ was Jewish, where do we go from here? This is a bold reminder to continually pray for God’s chosen people and those who do not fully recognize Christ as Lord. It is also a call for us to live in peace with one another and love like Christ.
