John McKee evaluates the common Messianic view that the Twenty-First Century Messianic movement is recapturing the experience of the First Century Messianic movement. What are some of the various aspects of this which are not frequently discussed?
Messianic Lifestyle
The Day of Atonement for Messianics can equally be a challenge, because of a possible emphasis on celebration at Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah, instead of a serious attitude and call to reflection from the sounding of the shofar. Many Messianics likewise have difficulty reverently focusing on their relationship with the Lord, and in considering where they need to improve in their spiritual walk. For us, while recognizing that our ultimate forgiveness is indeed found in Yeshua, we still need to know that we are humans with a fallen sin nature, and that we need the Lord to empower us for good works. We need to be reminded that without Him, we are nothing, and we need to intercede for the salvation of others.
There is a great deal of significance attached to this day in Jewish theology, as it is most often emphasized as a time when God looks down from Heaven and reconsiders where He stands with people. It is a time where we are to rejoice and celebrate, remembering His goodness to us, but also begin a sober examination of our humanity, and consider faults and sins that must be rectified.
Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries discusses some of the development of the modern Messianic movement, and what its potential future might be.
Forgiveness toward others is imperative, if the Messianic movement is going to make it in the 2020s.
Why do many non-Jews leave the Messianic movement after three years?
Factions and fracturing are explicitly warned about in Holy Scripture.
Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following message, “Our Heavenly Father’s Heart: The Messianic Restoration,” as we should each be considering how important today’s Messianic movement actually is.
Over the past few years, I have become consciously aware that some serious challenges and tension are in store for the Messianic movement. We are going through some growing pains, and issues are on the horizon that too many are unprepared for. The world at large is certainly not getting any less complicated, and globalization and the mass market mean that old ways of doing things may not necessarily work any more in the Twenty-First Century. Both the Jewish Synagogue and Christian Church are beginning to recognize this—which means the responsibility for Messianics is twice as high as it is for your average Jew or Christian. We need to be a people stirred to action, and guided by the Holy Spirit as we prepare to enter into a new chapter of our development.
J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the study questions for Ch 7 in the Messianic Beginnings workbook:
1. List some differences that you have observed between being “Christian” and being “Messianic.”
2. Why do you think many Christians oppose the Torah obedience of Messianics?
3. After being saved, do you think that we should all retain the faith of a child? Explain what it means to “abide” in the Lord.
4. Do you know people who give reasons for not following the Torah? What do they say?
5. What is the key difference between Messianics and Christians relating to Yeshua and the Torah?
