“Notzri! Notzri!”
The ominous outburst from the souvenir vender in Jerusalem sent a shock through my system. The young teen in my care that day recoiled in fear at the intensity of being called out as “Christian! Christian!”
Moments earlier, this olive-skinned man with brown wavy hair pulled back tightly had been hawking his wares to me. Suddenly, his eyes lit up in recognition, his words tumbling out in a thick Hebrew accent. “I remember you – yes, from the beach in Eilat. You gave me a book about Yeshu!”[1]
I was in Israel’s capital for the day. The young teen accompanying me lived in the foster home of a woman I knew. He had anticipated our day’s outing to include falafels and ice cream, but not being accosted like this.
Now the eyes of people passing us on the cobblestone road leading to the Old City’s Western Wall were locked on the two of us as well. A few uniformed soldiers observed the situation as some ultra-Orthodox men crowded closer.
The situation intensified as the man grew more animated. In a moment and in a way I cannot fully explain, I just knew what to do to diffuse this unexpected encounter. “Yes, yes!” I was almost shouting, “I admit it – I am indeed a Christian. Yes, I believe in Jesus and tell people.”
I continued loudly, “Oh, is it illegal to believe in Jesus here?”
At this, the onlookers seemed to dismiss the man who levied the charge, my young friend, and me as being “just a bit off.” (Believers in Jesus have the right to worship and share the gospel in Israel. Like in many places though, some people just don't like it.) All of the bystanders went on their way. We, too, wandered off, relieved with the outcome and ready to enjoy the rest of our day.
The chance confrontation I just related may have raised questions or evoked emotions as you read it, so I’ll address a few things you may be thinking or wondering.
Within the Jewish community, a Christian who is thought to be a “proselytizer” is about as welcome as a lighter at a large gas spill. The very thought of speaking about faith in Jesus provokes the strongest of emotions among Jewish people – especially those committed to strict observance of Judaism. Those deep, very real sentiments stem from a blood-soaked history of persecution experienced at the hand of “Christianity” (often individuals, institutions, and nations which self-identify as Christian).
Particularly among ultra-Orthodox Jews, Christians who speak with Jewish people about Jesus may be viewed as “deceivers” who “prey” upon Jewish immigrants, children, or others in the community who are vulnerable emotionally, physically, and otherwise.
When this man started to shout to warn others against me, I knew the meanings attached to “Notzri” – and none of those connotations described me. But I understood the historical baggage attached to the name: inquisitions, blood libels, pogroms, and even the Holocaust took place in “Christian” Europe, where for centuries the largest proportion of diaspora Jews lived.
While it’s easy to paint Christians with a broad brush, an increasing number of Israelis (and other Jewish people) are able to discern a difference between an institutional religious system and individuals whose lives have been transformed by our faith.
We believe in the accuracy of the Scriptures in the Tanakh (Old Testament) and Brit Chadashah (New Testament), which point to Jesus as the promised Messiah of Israel and Savior of mankind. We have been born from above[2] by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10) in the Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures. We have received a heart of flesh through God’s Holy Spirit, who has written His law on our hearts.
Because of His love, we too, have a love for Israel and the world-wide Jewish community. As followers of our Lord, we are called to share the message of the Good News of Jesus as the Messiah – to the Jewish people first and also to the nations (Romans 1:16). We do not prey on people, nor do we deceive or offer money/material goods to “convert” people. We understand the concerns, especially regarding protecting children; we do not share our faith with minors without parental agreement. We also heartily agree with Messianic Jews who affirm faith in Messiah Jesus strengthens their Jewish identity.
In a broad sense of the word, all followers of Jesus are commissioned to tell others the good news of salvation.[3] We are to “always be prepared to give an answer for the hope within us, with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). We owe a great deal to the Jewish people, for to them belong “the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law…” (Romans 9:1-5). The Word of God was given to them through the prophets. The hope of all humanity, the Messiah, came through the Jewish people. How greatly we as Gentile believers are indebted to them, as Paul states in Romans 15:26-27.
More than anything, we desire the Jewish people to receive their King and to behold their God (Isaiah 40:1-9). We long for God’s chosen nation to experience the blessings which come to all who take refuge in the Son of God whom David speaks of in Psalm 2.
That day in Jerusalem long ago, a man confronted me because he remembered me giving him a book. Later I thought, He remembered me from a short encounter, and knew Who the book was about… but the deep sadness I feel is because he did not know Him, only “about Him.”
Too often, we accept what others say about something or someone without seeking to see if their statements are true. Misperceptions are especially harmful when it comes to the person who made the single most exclusive claim of truth concerning spiritual salvation: “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus also said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends” (John 5:13). The Scriptures record the words and works of Jesus which proved His Messianic claims true.
A former Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, told how God graciously demonstrated His love for fallen mankind. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us” (Romans 5:8).
We are all sinners in need of God’s mercy and grace. If you have yet to receive His free gift of salvation through faith in what Messiah Jesus accomplished, we would love to speak with you about the beloved Son of God who was sent to atone for our sins and give us everlasting life (see John 5:24).
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah Staff Member
When people encounter you, do they see merely a religious label, or do they see evidence of a life transformed by Jesus?
Are you prepared to give an answer for the hope within you "with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15) when opportunities arise?
Do you know Jesus only by reputation, or have you come to know Him personally? Have you examined His claims for yourself? And if He truly is the Messiah and Savior, how will you respond? Please contact us today if you’d like to learn more!
Endnotes:
[1] Some who do not acknowledge Jesus’ true Hebrew name, Yeshua (which means “salvation”) refer to “that man” as Yeshu, an acronym for a curse in Hebrew meaning “May his name and memory be blotted out.” Many Israelis don’t know that “Yeshu” is a derogatory term.
[2] John 3:3, 16; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 10:4.
[3] Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.