The Historical and Spiritual Roots of Jewish Rejection of Jesus: An Analysis
Why Did Jews Accept a Part of the Bible but Reject Jesus as a Prophet?
Modern Jews often argue that there was no reason for a sacrifice so no reason for accepting Jesus as a prophet. However, this understanding is flawed. Christians added another testament to the Jewish Bible without their permission, contradicting the historical narrative.
The Bible as we know it today was not written until around 350 AD. The Torah (Old Testament) part of the Bible was put in written form around 2600 BC, and it was in oral form before that. The idea that Jews accept something added to their scriptures that is almost 3000 years after their oldest scriptures were written is illogical. This further suggests the complexity in how different religious communities interpret their sacred texts.
Jesus and the Messianic Hope
Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah because they were awaiting a political figure to free them from Roman rule. However, Jesus came to free sinners from eternal damnation, a message that was not aligned with their expectations. This dichotomy highlights the differing interpretations of the Messianic role within Jewish and Christian contexts.
The Biblical Truth: Two Comings of the Messiah
The Bible speaks of two prophetic and historical comings of Yahweh’s own provided Messiah. The first coming is described as a shepherd’s crook, a peaceful one who judges no one at all, and a true paschal lamb coming to the slaughter. The second coming, however, is described as a shepherd’s rod, the army commander of God, one who shall judge quite severely when necessary, and a conquering king arrayed in all of his own physical and spiritual might.
Christian believers have only ever noticed or were taught about the passages referring to the first coming, the peaceful Messiah who died for all sins upon the cross. Jewish believers, on the other hand, have only noticed or were taught about the passages referring to the second coming, the Messiah who will establish Yahweh’s kingdom and smash everything in his path to create it. This distinction is a fundamental difference in interpretation.
Isaiah 8:11-22: A Call to Action
Isaiah’s prophecy in Chapter 8 warns that a people should seek their own God, not seek the dead on behalf of the living. It emphasizes the importance of the Law and the testimony. Those who do not heed this word will stumble, fall, be broken, ensnared, and captured. The text prophesies that many will pass through these end-time events, hard-pressed and hungry, searching for nourishment and ultimate salvation.
This prophecy highlights a clear spiritual conflict between the two major branches of monotheism. It calls into question the prevailing narratives of both Christianity and Judaism, suggesting that both communities have been misled for a greater spiritual and political agenda.
Christians are often told that the Old Testament is done away with, while Jews are told there is nothing to the New Testament. This further argues for a deeper understanding and reconciliation of these divergent interpretations.
Finally, the text concludes with a stern warning to engage with the scriptures daily, to seek truth, and to avoid the false prophets who mislead the faithful. This is a powerful call to action for adherents of both religions to seek a true understanding of their faiths and a deeper spiritual connection.
Shalom.