TWO DAYS IN DECEMBER

TWO DAYS IN DECEMBER. . . .

We are praising God for the 240 folks that He brought to our 11^th annual Chanukah/Christmas Celebration on December 20^th.  Included in that number were over 23 Jewish people who have yet to come to faith in Jesus.  I personally know the 23; therefore, I’m concluding that there were additional Jewish people who attended who don’t yet believe in Jesus.  Several Gentile believers brought their Jewish non-believing friends with them to the event.  God gave us lovely redemptive conversations following the program.  What a glorious victory!

On December 22^nd, we were given the opportunity to present “The Nativity Story” in the theater at a retirement community in Scottsdale.  If you’ve not viewed this film – it’s time to do so.  Amidst the unfolding of the Christmas account from Luke 1 and 2 and from Mathew 2, the historical and cultural setting is well-displayed.  It’s realistic to the core!  The oppression of the Jewish people by the Romans is addressed.  Nazareth is seen as a “germ” of a town – which it was.  The Jewish betrothal customs are highlighted.  The difficulty regarding Mary’s pregnancy is developed in light of human emotions and against the law’s demands.  Mary and Joseph’s trek to Bethlehem is not portrayed in Hallmark card fashion!  Those who viewed the film on December 22^nd were positively impacted.  That afternoon we gathered to discuss the movie and focus on the Biblical account from Luke and Mathew.  Several Jewish people joined us including a Jewish woman who had bolted from our Bible study in the recent past, exclaiming, “This is not for me.”  I had to look twice at this woman sitting next to me on December 22^nd to make sure it was the same person who virtually washed her hands of us weeks ago.  Sari led us in an informational comment regarding what the Rabbis teach concerning the Messiah.  We engaged in fruitful conversation. . . until. . . one of the Gentiles at the study said, “We can thank the Jews that they rejected Jesus because now Gentiles believe.”  I jumped in to state that Gentiles have always been in God’s plan of redemption (Gen. 12:3; Isa. 49:6).  Consider Job, Rahab, Ruth, and Nebuchadnezzar coming to faith in the true God of Israel.  AND I was quick to add that not all the Jewish people rejected Jesus – the first believers in Jesus were Jewish.  Well, that didn’t so much impact the individual who made the comment regarding blanket Jewish rejection of Jesus.  This same person blurted out, “God is through with the Jews!”  And, another Gentile entered the exchange with a derogatory remark about the Jewish people.  I responded with Bible passages stating that God has NOT finished with the Jewish people (Romans 9 – 10 – 11, esp. Rom. 11:1-5).  We then heard, “Is salvation, heaven, eternal life only through Jesus?”  Of course, I stated most emphatically, “Yes.”  And, of course, I’ve taught that Jesus is the only way to God the Father during countless sessions.  However, at this point in our time together, tempers were frayed.  We discussed sin, the need of the Messiah to die and save us from our sin, the story of the entire Bible, eternal life with God and everlasting life in hell without God.  I remarked, “God promised the Messiah for the world to the Jewish people.  The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah.”  I then asked, “What is the purpose for the Messiah?”  The Jewish people sitting in the study had no clue.  I asked them if they believed in the God of Israel – the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Again – no clue.  MUCH Scripture was shared.  The Gospel, again, was PROCLAIMED.  The banter back and forth became more trying.  Suffice it to say, after our time together, those who were praying for me during the discussion sat stunned.  There was a coolness in the departure of several.  But, there was no aloofness in Sari’s demeanor or words!  Sari, who didn’t leave the study this time, looked at me and said, “You’re a very good teacher”!!!!!!!!!  

I returned to the retirement center the next day and knocked on the doors of the Jewish people who had attended the Bible study the previous day.  I didn’t apologize for what I had shared!  What I had shared from the Bible is TRUTH!  My intent in seeking a conversation with them on December 23^rd was to ensure that they know my stance re: Israel/the Jewish people.  My intent was to remind them that God is not finished with Israel.  The “damage control” conversations were fruitful.  God has given us GREAT times of interaction during the Bible studies since December 22^nd. 

Yes, there was glorious victory through the Chanukah/Christmas Celebration on December 20^th – with fruit that’s ongoing, which will be shared in the January newsletter.  AND, there was glorious victory through the December 22^nd Bible study which I have labeled as the most difficult and uncomfortable (from a human perspective) Bible study in 10.5 years at this location.  BUT GOD!!  There is ALWAYS victory in HIM!  AND, we always move FROM a position of VICTORY – because He, Who is eternal, has WON THE VICTORY!

ALL PRAISE TO HIM,

Cathy