Born Or Adopted?
“Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” Matthew 23:36
This Generation – Yeshua’s words are harsh. The generation that rejects Him, refusing to see the truth of His message of restoration and mercy, will suffer. Genean tauten are those who were with Him, saw the signs of His anointing, heard His words, witnessed God’s endorsement and still refused. There may be many excuses, many justifications and rationalizations, but in the end what matters is only that “this generation” will be judged unworthy.
It is possible to understand Yeshua’s pronouncement only within its Jewish context. His statement applies first and foremost to the house of Israel, the ones He came to restore to their purpose and mission. But in a larger context, this declaration has application to any generation that rejects the evidence of His authority and mission. Unfortunately, a quick review of circumstances in the first century and the twenty-first century is more likely to reveal the similarities rather than the differences.
The Jews of the first century:
- had a legacy of prophetic tradition exhorting them to return to the ways of God revealed in the covenant
- had God’s written word which they avowed as sacred and authoritative document
- had historical evidence of God’s handiwork in the world of men
- had experiential evidence of Yeshua’s impact on men and culture
- had clear directions concerning God’s covenant requirements
- had signs indicating that something unusual had happened.
Yet they refused to accept His claim on their lives.
What part of this list is not also ours? What reason could be given that excuses them or us? Is our generation also “this generation”? Where are the real differences? Our generation acknowledges there is a God. Our generation has ample evidence for consideration of the claims of Yeshua. Our generation has its own prophets (those who call us to faith) and its scribes and rabbis. Our generation acknowledges the place of the Bible in culture and history. Are we any less excused? Whether born or adopted, do you have any justification for our rejection of the commitment required of us? Does our developed sophisticated theology compel us to obedience or provide us with rationalizations? Where are those who are witnesses (martyrs) today? Are we any less “comfortable” in our belief systems than “this generation”? Has our familiarity with ritual and routine made us any more attentive to the Spirit of the Lord than the routine of temple worship did for the first century Jews? Does the Father still long for your unwavering abandonment to Him?
Topical Index: this generation, genean tauten, Matthew 23:36
Amen and Amen. Rhetorical questions asked of us. Of course we either take it seriously or we think the message does not apply. I, for one, find that some times I am in one camp and other days I seem to be in the other. Psychology has the term schizophrenic. The Bible just calls it sin. I am with Isaiah when he says, “Woe is Me.”
good day all.. I had a marvelous opportunity yesterday to engage a young Jewish mother in casual conversation concerning this “season” of year and the birth of Messiah. My question to her (and to us all) is simply this- “If Yeshua (Jesus) is not G-d’s Chosen One then who was He? He fulfilled every prophecy written concerning the “coming One” and yet still was/is rejected as the genuine article. What does the Messiah look like if He is not Him? In other words, “what are we waiting for?” -What prophecies did He not fulfill? Or, in the words of John the Baptizer- “Are you the Christ or shall we look for another?”
The story is the same today, brother Skip. Rather simple really. Either He is accepted” or rejected. With Christ it seems there is no middle ground. He Himself said- “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30) The only difference between “us” and them I can see is -we have the advantage of hindsight. We can look back through the centuries and trace the history of thousands of Christ-followers. One promise I hold onto even unto this day is His promise- “I will build my church.” And my friends when G-d sets out to do something.. -it’s gonna get done. I sure don’t want to be the one standing in His way- I’d rather be co-operating with His plans and purposes. And who is the bride of Christ?- “that’s us folks!” There is a marriage feast yet to occur, but when it does it’s (for sure) going to be a good one.. G-d sets a wonderful table- amen?
Thanks for the personal witness you provide to others. Just a note about the issue with Yeshua for the Jews today. I am convinced that if Yeshua were presented without the Christian baggage of centuries of Greek Hellenism He would be welcomed by believing Jews. This was the case in the first century when thousands responded to exactly the question you ask. But today we have to overcome a mountain of anti-Semitism, Greek philosophy, acts that appear to be idolatrous and a host of other issues that clearly keep Jews at arm’s length. In fact, the very idea that Jews must “convert” to Christianity implies that Jesus is not the Jewish Messiah. So what is required is a massive paradigm shift on behalf of “Christians” to reach back into our own heritage and embrace those who first believed. How can we provoke them to jealousy when we have nothing they want and we deny everything they hold sacred? We are the enemy to those who would believe? As Paul so eloquently put it, “Would you prevent your brother from finding the truth over an issue with food?”
“I am convinced that if Yeshua were presented without the Christian baggage.”
“He would be welcomed by believing Jews.”
Hi Skip,
If I were a Jew and familiar with the Biblical and Rabbinical traditions.
And familiar with the history, philosophy, and literature of Western Civilization.
I might conclude that because the only other person who has influenced Western Civilization.
To the same extent as Jesus was also a Jew, and his name was Karl Marx.
That maybe this Jesus who was a rather formidable Jewish theologian.
And a teacher of the highest order and integrity.
Might be worth considering as a leader.
As their model of Man.
Oops, grammatically speaking, that should have been “my” model of Man.
G-d is not out to hide Himself from anyone. He has said (according to His words)- “if you seek for me with all your heart- you will find me.” Was He speaking (only) to the Jew? No. Again, from the scriptures- “whosoever will may come.” The veil of the temple was ripped from top to bottom. We all share equal access to the Father through the torn veil of His flesh. Yes, brother Skip, I agree, it is we who are the adopted ones, the “converted” ones if you wish to call it thus. We who are outside the covenant promises of the chosen people of G-d have been adopted as sons and daughters of YHWH, the holy ONE. Christ has given unto all access to the heart of our Father. “Our Father” includes “whosoever will,” and we are among those who have said yes to Christ.
One development in the evolution of Christianity (isn’t this an interesting mix..) in recent years has been the wonderful life-changing statement: “it’s not about religion, it’s about relationship.” I’ll add my small amen to this. It is. What family we born into matters not. What matters (to anyone) to Jew or Greek, is to come to Christ through prayer in repentance and faith (our response to His words). Maybe it’s too simple, and we try our best to complicate matters, but there is again- according to the scriptures- a simplicity in trusting and confessing Christ.
G-d knows those who belong to Him and again- this is what matters, not whether we are Jew or Greek or a vegetarian plumber, it matters not. We (all) according to the words of Yeshua displayed for all in John chapter 3, we (all) must be “born again.” “But when the kindness and love for mankind of G-d our Deliverer was revealed, He delivered us. It was not on the ground of any righteous deeds we had done, but on the ground of His own mercy. He did it by means of the mikveh of rebirth and the renewal brought about by the Ruach HaKodesh, whom He poured out on us generously through Yeshua the Messiah, our Deliverer. He did it so that by His grace we might come to be considered righteous by G-d and become heirs, with the certain hope of eternal life. (Titus chapter 3)