Ever-Increasing Light

Marking Jewish Themes with Devotion

Sabbath, Feasts, and More

“I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3)

You will find in my last blog entry an introduction to why the Bible exhorts us to bless the Jewish people. Below are five practical ways to become a blessing to God’s ancient people.

To illustrate, these points are made using the acrostic PEACE.

1) P – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good. ~ Psalm 122:6-9

There is much tension in the Holy City with three major religions fighting for the space and ownership of the city. There is hatred between two ancient brothers: Ishmael and Isaac and the battles rages on generation after generation. It intensifies! Some are crazed because of it!

There have been wars and Intifada uprisings, and there may be more… But the prayers of the saints and the power of God have stayed back an untimely blood bath again and again. There are many true believers within her walls who need our prayer support and encouragement. Pray often for the peace of Jerusalem. This is God’s beautiful and holy city where He has chosen to display His fire and love. This place and people need our prayers desperately.

2) E – Encourage friendships with Jewish people.

Most church-going Christians do not know Jewish people. Here are a couple of ways to meet them. Attend classes (open to the public) at your local Jewish Community Center. They have many wonderful courses available. I have taken Hebrew and dance classes. The JCC is very receptive to visitors attending, and it gives you an opportunity to meet Jewish people. Friendships bridge the huge gap between Jew and Gentile. There is much skepticism on both sides, but friendship helps bring understanding, compassion, and eventually lead toward mending relationships.

Let genuine friendship be your goal, not making a convert or winning a soul. Don’t be afraid to share honestly who you are: “I am a Gentile Christian, and I love the Jewish people. Here’s why… ” or this is always a good icebreaker: “I love and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Believe eyebrows go up on that one because they know that is THEIR God. And we do indeed share that God. He is one and the same!

When Jewish people discover you are a person of prayer, they will ask you to pray for them or their family. Even if they are not religious, they respect prayer and people who pray.

Another way to encourage friendship is to start a conversation with the kiosk owners selling wares in the malls. Many of these are Israeli Jews living in the metroplex. They are selling skin lotions and treatments and other things. They are very warm, relational, and friendly. Buy something from them and plant the tiny seeds of friendship. Later invite them into your home or go out for coffee. Your life will be so enriched by extending an olive branch to them.

Be aware when you fly somewhere of those sitting around you. Almost every time we fly, we are seated by a Jewish person. The long flight gives the opportunity to make a friend.

Again, just work on friendship first, share your heart about the Good News later, of course, sometimes the Holy Spirit guides you to do share right away. He will prompt you when the timing is perfect to share.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17

3) A- Ask Them In

Invite your new-found friends into your home. It is a blessing to receive an invitation to visit in someone’s home. I love it more than going out to eat or anything. It is quiet and intimate and gives the opportunity to share and develop true friendships on a deeper level. Serve a meal and treat them as a royal guest. Asking them to visit your home shows you are willing to go beyond the casual “let’s have coffee” stage. It shows you are opening your heart. An open home is an open heart.

In Jewish thought, hospitality is rooted in the idea that God Himself cares for the “sojourner.” The Lord instructed the Israelite not to oppress the foreigners living in the land, not to harm them in any way, rather reach out, give to, and bless (Exodus 22:21).

Hospitality is a fundamental expression of the Christian faith. It is so intertwined with the Gospel that it can hardly be separated especially hospitality to the “stranger.” Invitations to those family and friends is easy, but offering a home-cooked meal to someone you barely know, is practically unheard in our culture today. And hospitality should be offered without a thought of being paid back in any form. This is true hospitality and true Christianity.

4) – C – Contribute to Jewish causes

Paul said that we should be concerned with those in the household of faith first. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ~Galatians 6:10

Give through your local church to Jewish ministries first, then contribute to other causes. For instance, we support Holocaust survivors soup kitchens in Ukraine. These have become very successful in helping poor Jewish across the cities of Ukraine, and many have come to embrace Yeshua through this small endeavor.

If your church does not give to Jewish ministries, then schedule a meeting with your pastor to explain your heart on the matter. This kind of outreach will bless any church or person because the Scripture is tried and true: I bless those who bless my people, and I will curse those who curse them (Genesis 3:12).

5) – E – Educate

Educate yourself on Jewish history, Messianic Judaism, the feasts and holidays, and the Holocaust. There are many wonderful books available: “The Irrevocable Calling” by Dr. Dan Juster; “They Thought for Themselves” by Sid Roth; “God’s Appointed Times” by Barney Kasdan; and “The Jewishness of the Gospel” by David Stern.

Try having a Sabbath meal in your home and invite your new Jewish friends. They will come and love it. Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. No one cares. It is the extension of goodwill and love that draws.

Ask your new Jewish friends about the Holocaust. Many, if not most, have a story to tell. You will be touched by their stories and your heart will expand toward their plight.

Educate your church on current Jewish issues. For instance, anti-Semitism is escalating around the world. The rising statics are alarming. Will your church stand with Israel if the going gets tough? Spread the news wide and far that the church must love Israel in these last days. That doesn’t mean we agree with everything the Israeli government does politically or otherwise. It does mean we love the Jewish people and believe Israel has a right to exist no matter what stand the nations of the world may take against her.

Educate yourself on the people and faith of Islam as well. You cannot separate these two ancient brothers. Reach out to Islamic people in your hometown as well. There are many. You can follow these same steps to reach them. God does not love one above the other, nor should we.

As believers, we are called to reconcile and to make steps of peace toward each other. And these steps are very practical.