Don’t get it twisted! That is what the enemy wants!
The trick of the enemy is to convince you to separate your own self from the vine, I’d reckon?
For the record, I’m a born again believer in Jesus Christ. I’m not a member of Judaism and that is not at all what I’m encouraging here. Nor am I a member of Orthodoxy, Catholicism, or any number of the Protestant branches. This site is about The Bible, not the traditions of men or beliefs in their frameworks. This about understanding the reality of The Bible and history.
Also I’ll point out I know you are probably a Gentile, so am I. And I know your requirements are next to nothing, you are required to do almost nothing at all. I get it! It is very likely I rely on grace more than anyone you know. So, I’m not saying you need to do more and you don’t have to worry about that. What I’m suggesting is that you may want to think differently for your own benefit and to enhance your knowledge, understanding, and knowing of Jesus and The Bible.
To accomplish this in a simple way I’m going to cover 3 major time frames of history that have been used and or covered over and hidden to the average person. Unless you dig deep you will likely be unaware of the importance of these time frames and how it impacts how you read and comprehend The Word.
This is important I’d argue, if you are seeking God in truth and spirit, as it is advised by Jesus.
The reason I encourage anyone who will listen to read Maccabees (or especially during Hanukkah) is to learn a critical piece of history as it pertains to the time right before Jesus. You miss out on that as a Christian in many cases, and it shows.
A picture starts to form of what Jesus entered into and why, and it links up with the Sanhedrin power structure and Harmonia Dynasty.
This helps us to truly understand that Jesus didn’t come to get rid of Jewish customs, but rather to abolish the ordinances of legislation enacted by a corrupt system of authority that is anti Jewish tradition.
Hence Messianic Jews (Jesus believers) still practice and observe the original Biblical commands and feast holidays. IE; Sabbath, Passover, Commandments (Matthew 25 makes sense).
(For the record I don’t recommend messianic Gentile church’s, I’m talking about actual Jews who believe in Jesus as messiah.)
The books of the Maccabees starts and ends with mighty acts of God and the incredible faith, courage, and valor of a small group of Jews who fight off the Seleucid dynasty kingdoms. They are willing to die at all times for their faith in God and His Torah.
Where the books end however is the foundation of something different, the Hasmonean dynasty. This ultimately culminates in the mixture of foreign power and the development of the Sanhedrin.
This is why we see Jesus practicing (perfectly) Torah and Jewish customs like Shabbat and other celebrations. Yet abolishing the ordinances of legislation that were enacted by the monarchical authoritative system often associated as “Jewish” or “the Jews”. It would be like associating Americans as the American government and equating us all based on that assumption. That would be erroneous and lead to a serious misunderstanding, of course.
At some point if you are a student of The Bible and follower of Jesus, you will notice that He is Jewish, King of The Jews. You will notice the story of the Hebrews and the ways of the Apostles. They follow and encourage becoming Jewish inwardly and being grafted into Israel. Why? Because Jesus says salvation comes from the Jews. It’s pretty simple.
Yet we are programmed to think otherwise, at the same time. What we must consider is that Jesus came to dismantle the powers that DESPITE Jewish tradition merged religious and civil authority.
This is known as “The Sanhedrin”…
What is the point and what is the good news here?
The point is to have respect for the vine. Don’t boast against the natural branches. And to understand what we are grafted into is their heritage, not ours. It is ours in that we are made to be a part of it and welcomed to it through embracing Jesus. He is Jewish and so is THE GOD OF ISRAEL. ADONI (Abba, The FATHER) is called the God of Israel. He is also our father, via adoption. So?
Rather for non Jewish Gentiles, this is to promote recognition of our own error. Many think we are the replacement of the Jews, but that is just not the case. Or that we are placed above them in the heavenly sense, this is not the case either. We are part of the same vine and will ultimately be brothers and sisters and will be worshiping the same God together! Or rather we already should see it that way, through The Bible.
Those of Jewish heritage who don’t already believe (because again many do) will believe when Jesus returns. And they will be extended the same outrageous levels of mercy that Jesus has granted to us, in return for their gift to us. The Bible.
We would not have any of it or know Jesus (as He is a Jewish) without them, you see? They are our gift.
Ultimately, we will be theirs too! We are getting married together :D