“J e s u s = M e s s i a h”
Joel's Testimony
The first time I met a Messianic Jew was November 1988 on a military post in
the Negev desert, Israel, where I had just completed training as a tank
crew member. I asked him what he was reading and he showed me his
"Brit Hadasha." (New Testament) When he
told me what it was I became infuriated. After all, as a Yeshiva
graduate I could not understand how a Jew could believe in Yeshua (Jesus).
Wasn't Yeshua a gentile concept. I told him
that he should be ashamed of himself and that I hoped some Arab would
catch him with his guard down and teach him a lesson. He responded that
he wished me the best and hoped that -some day
I would come to know Yeshua. I was so shocked by his calm and polite
response that I just walked away and pitied him as a lost soul.
The next time I met Believers was on the Auraria campus where I attended
Metropolitan State College of Denver (1989). The first time I saw their
sign which read "Jesus = Messiah?" I freaked. A
few weeks later a friend of mine was approached by Messianic Jewish
Pastor Reuben Drebenstedt. That was it!
I went to Reuben and told him to leave her alone and that
if he refused, I would see to it that he would never bother another Jewish
student ever again. Reuben walked me to the door and continued to
talk to me in a cordial manner. As I departed he wished me a good day.
"*\* ! *", I thought. Why did they have to be so
nice about things especially after I had been so nasty? So without returning the greeting I
walked away.
For the next several months I walked past
that sign and every once in a while spat a few nasty words in Reuben's
direction. Reuben always wished me a good day. I couldn't stand his niceties
anymore and decided not to speak to him.
The school year ended & I didn't think I would ever see Reuben
again. However, as sure as the sun rises in the east, Reuben was
there again. This time I was no longer angry. Rather I was curious as to
what made "those people" so good natured. But my Orthodox
upbringing prevented me from having the courage to approach Reuben for
purposes of inquiry. A few months later, at a meeting of student clubs, I
met the president of the Menorah Ministries student organization. She
offered to sit down & speak with me.
A lack of commitment on my part prevented this from happening even though I
was not happy with the fake attitudes and
hypocrisy of mainstream Judaism and I did not want to become a Christian.
On the other hand, these people seemed so nice and non-threatening;
maybe God dwelled among them. I began to think. Fear of the unknown and
a busy schedule prevented me from pursuing after my curiosities.
I don't think I would have never thought about Yeshua again but for two
college students from Congregation Roeh Israel
attending a Holocaust Memorial function that I was directing for the
University of Denver Hillel House. I became friendly with one
person and thought she was really an okay person. However, after
attending a movie at the Tivoli and more conversation, she told me she had
been involved in a non-mainstream religious movement.
"Which
one?" I asked. "Guess." "Buddhism?"
"No." "Hari Krishna?"
"No." "Jews who believe in Jesus?"
Silence. "No way, you have to be kidding!" "No, I'm not." I was
in shock. I wanted to get up and run away. I didn't know what to do. She
told me that since she had come to know the Lord she had found inner
peace. Probably drugs or something, I thought.
She asked me if I was willing to meet her pastor and I agreed to hear him
out. I met with Pastor Burt Yellin a
week or so later and quizzed him as I had so often done with my professors.
After three hours of intense Q&A, I decided to look further into the
notion of Yeshua as Messiah. The more I ventured into the issue the more
I realized that Yeshua was the Messiah. That realization was on
an intellectual level and I would not let it in my heart. I did,
however, agree to attend a worship service. The presence of the Lord
filled the room, there was no escape. It was then that the Lord entered my
heart and made Himself known to me.
Since accepting Yeshua as my Lord, I have lost my family and some of
my friends. However, the price is well worth the peace of salvation and
of knowing the truth. My walk with Jesus has just begun, but at least I
know where to look for guidance and spiritual peace. Praise the Lord!-Pray for Joel.
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