SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK@CHOSENPEOPLE.COM OR CALL US AT 212-223-2252 SPECIAL EDITION | THE CHOSEN PEOPLE | 4 Jewish holidays?” Of course, my favorite answer is YES! This question is designed to try and figure out whether or not I am still living as a Jew. If not, then no matter how many times I say you can be Jewish and believe in Jesus, my life indicates otherwise. If we are not celebrating the Jewish holidays or taking part in Jewish community life then our families will view our claim that you can be Jewish and believe in Jesus as false. It has been very easy for me over the years to maintain my Jewish identity even though I have gone to both churches and Messianic congregations. I have had the joy of being part of Chosen People Ministries where we have Bible studies, retreats, children’s camps, and trips to Israel, which make it easier for me, my family, and others to continue in their Jewish identity—as fulfilled in Yeshua the Messiah. One of the important reasons why Chosen People Ministries exists is to enrich the lives of Messianic Jews and this has been a vital part of our ministry for the past 123 years. We have been used by God to share the Gospel with thousands upon thousands of Jewish people but also used by God to encourage Messianic Jews to live as Jews and to provide resources and opportunities to do so. Back to the Rabbi! As we were walking quickly to our cars to get home for the Sabbath, we could not stop talking! We finally landed on probably one of the most critical subjects that keep so many Jewish people from believing that Jesus is the Messiah—the topic of the incarnation, that God became man, and along with this, the doctrine of the Trinity. This is also covered in one of our critical questions in this newsletter. The topic led to a somewhat humorous discussion with the rabbi as he looked at me and said, “May I ask you one more question?” He asked, “How can you believe in three gods?” I found it hard to believe that, after hours of discussion, he would still ask me this kind of question. But it is really hard for Jewish people to understand that we do not believe in three gods! I explained to him that I believe that the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as the New Covenant Scriptures, clearly teach us that God is three persons: co-eternal, co-essential and co-equal. He responded to me by saying, “You make God so complicated by believing that He is triune.” I looked at the rabbi and gave him my best response, “Do you mean to tell me that if God is not triune but is singular, that this would make the nature of God uncomplicated?” He smiled at me and said, “Shabbat Shalom” (have a peaceful Sabbath). I believe that this very kind and thoughtful rabbi understood that understanding our Creator is very difficult for everyone. This is one reason I am so glad that God became flesh and revealed Himself to sinful human beings like you and me. The best way to know God is to have rubbed shoulders with Him, to see Him in action, to hear Him in conversation . . . to see Him laugh, cry, and love people. God becoming man makes sense to me as someone raised in a traditional Jewish home. How kind of God to take on humanity, endure suffering, and even the pain of death, in order to reveal the Father to humankind. I hope that you will enjoy the rest of the publication and if you are not yet a follower of Yeshua the Messiah— whether you are Jewish or not—please keep an open heart and an open mind. I hope you will take time to read the newsletter, but most importantly, may I ask you to do two things? First of all, try reading the Bible. Start by reading some of the Psalms of David and then maybe the book of Matthew or John in the New Testament. Do not take the word of others for what is probably the most important decision of your life—find out for yourself. Secondly, try talking to God. We call this prayer, which is simply having a conversation with your Creator. The one lesson we learn from God becoming flesh is that He wants to get close to us. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to get personal with Him. Jesus came to show us the Father. So please, try speaking to Him. If you have questions, ask Him before you ask us. But, we are always available to you if you have comments or questions about knowing God through Yeshua the Messiah. Thanks for taking the time to read the newsletter, and may God bless you and show you His truth through the Messiah. Warmly, Dr. Mitch Glaser President, Chosen People Ministries
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