Being a fair-skinned blonde of the Coppertone ads era I now see my dermatologist regularly. Several years ago while waiting at one of my checkups, I had been on the phone with a Ruach member discussing her son’s upcoming bar mitzvah. Overhearing my call as I was finishing when the doctor arrived, just to make conversation, he asked me about Ruach Israel, and so his journey to find Yeshua began. . .

At that time we ended up in a lengthy conversation about Messianic Judaism, his first encounter with the concept of our understanding of Yeshua as the Messiah of the Jewish people and of the world.  He was intrigued by the concepts of Yeshua’s Jewishness and the ability to not lose ours if we believe in this way, but rather, by our tendency to become even more strengthened in our faith as Jews when we become Messianic.

At that time my doctor asked for a book that might give him more knowledge of this intriguing subject. I gave him Daniel Boyarin’s The Jewish Gospels which presents a non theological approach focusing on the historical Jesus. The book was written by a highly respected, non Messianic Jewish scholar and historian which information he also found fascinating. My doctor read the book, was drawn in, shared it with his Jewish staff, and enjoyed discussing it with me at subsequent medical visits.

Fast forward another five or six years to yesterday’s appointment. He wished me Shana Tova and asked if my holiday had been good. All I said was “Oh, the services at Ruach were so beautiful”.  He responded, “You know, I’ve thought about going there some time because . . . “

He couldn’t stop sharing with me his quest for knowledge, how he had read an article recently about what happened to Paul and his otherwise inexplicable radical change of view, telling me that the Apostles were Jewish, that why would billions of people over millennia be so changed by one man if He wasn’t who He said he was, that otherwise the Apostles would have been crazy to choose known death unless they had seen the Resurrection, and he went on and on.

Of course I couldn’t sit there in silence so I shared modern developments – undiscussed Dead Sea Scrolls findings, the reclaiming of their Jewish faith by the descendants of Jews forced to give up or hide their faith during the Inquisition and by the now adults born of the Kindertransport Holocaust survivors and those of related rescue efforts seeking to reclaim their Judaism, the rapid growth of Messianic Judaism in Israel. He asked me to share my testimony. I gave him the short version.

Once again he asked for a book that would help him understand the historical underpinnings of our steadfast belief that Yeshua is who He said He was, the promised Messiah. I have followed up with several good recommendations and explanations, as well as suggested he watch “The Chosen”, a good choice for someone not into the Bible’s details, but rather,  a person who may first need to see Yeshua as a Jewish man who was, as we know, so much more. I feel the series meets so many where they are. God can smooth out understanding of the rough spots in the script as needed over time.

As an educated person in his middle years who felt ignorant of if nothing else this “great man of history”, someone whose Jewish education completely omitted discussion of Yeshua whose story is described throughout our Jewish Bible, my doctor is on the most life transforming, soul deepening, eternally significant journey he can’t really even imagine. To witness this is amazingly uplifting. It refocuses me on what is most important in each of our life’s journey – to know Him, our Rock and Redeemer.

We both agreed something inexplicable is happening that is real, not only to him but to the world in these days. We experience the shock and horror of the headlines, but also see the beginnings of a revived awakening to the reality of something beyond what we can see. Our powerlessness helps us to seek Him. What He brings us when we do is inexplicable sholom, and awe.

More and more people are searching for a power greater than their own, around us locally and societally, whether spiritually or intellectually, and for countless multitudes their cry is to Yeshua. Those searching paths – of heart and mind – ultimately merge if traveled with an open heart and inquisitive mind.

It doesn’t matter which way we approach the quest. For once our hearts and minds are opened to the possibility of His reality, He makes Himself undeniably known in the ways He can be received as they become able to be received, ultimately totally with complete acceptance – body, mind, and spirit. That’s when purpose-filled living begins.

This is a new year, a time of renewal and new beginnings perhaps in even expanded and deeper ways, a time of opportunity in which each of us can serve to share with others the love He has for each of us, His power and glory forever. “Hineini. Here I am. Show me how and help me to lead those You bring my way to You.”

As Rabbi Rich said at our first day Rosh Hashana service, “Aslan is on the move”. Oh is He!!!!!!

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova.

Diane