A Gospel Snapshot! Why Don’t Jews Believe In Jesus? Shouldn’t Jews Be Christians?
Jesus was a Jew. So why don’t Jews believe in him? I think it is because they look at Christians and see they don’t believe in him either – at least not as ‘the Scripture says.’ Yes, they believe in Jesus enough to get saved.
Most Bible schools, and evangelical preachers only see the gospel in terms of salvation: a ticket to heaven. This is very important, but it is only entry level Christianity. It is ‘Sunday School 101.’ It’s not powerful daily living in the gospel of the finished work of Christ.
Most Christians live in two ways:
(1) in the past, under Old Testament law, and
(2) with eyes glued on the future: the return of Christ.
They know little or nothing about living in gospel truth, grace, love and authority today. Jews look at this and think, “Why should I become a Christian? I live by Jewish law too. I look for the coming of Christ too. Christians are no different from Jews.”
Satan’s big goal is to is blind us to the power of the gospel in life (II Cor 4:4), and in most cases he succeeds — because we don’t believe in the finished work of the cross. Instead we believe many things are yet to be fulfilled in the future. Most Christians don’t see and live the reality of the gospel of Christ’s finished work. I think this is the major reason JEWS don’t believe in Jesus!
Jews believe the Scripture! They know this: when the Savior Messiah comes, he will fulfill ALL Old Testament prophecy. But Christians don’t believe Jesus did this, even though he said he did (Luke 24:25-27, 44-45). Jews know this: “If Jesus didn’t fulfill prophecy, he can’t be the Messiah Savior they were looking for when he came, and that they are still looking for.
Christians and Jews are alike in the way they live their lives:
(1) Jews wait for the FIRST coming of the Messiah; Christians await the SECOND coming of Christ.
(2) Jews live by the Old Testament law. Sadly, most Christians don’t live by the New Testament gospel that we are told to live by only (II Cor 3:6). Instead they live by the same Old Testament law that was only given to Jews, and was never given to us (Rom 2:14).
It’s said Daniel is about the future end times: the second coming. Is this true? Let’s look at one verse: Daniel 9:24 prophesies six things Jesus will do when he comes:
(1) transgression will be finished,
(2) sin will end,
(3) reconciliation for iniquity will be made,
(4) everlasting righteousness comes in,
(5) the prophecy and vision will be sealed, and
(6) the Most Holy will be anointed – who is Jesus.
The gospel tells us that Jesus did ALL of this during his life on earth. Daniel is more about the cross of Christ than his future coming. Remember: the cross was yet future when Daniel wrote.
Hebrews 9:24 says, “Now once, in the end of the world, has Jesus appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself,” thus ending the rule and penalty for sin. Paul says he brought in reconciliation, and we have the righteousness of Christ. Jesus said all prophecy was fulfilled in him. Jesus was anointed to preach the gospel (Lk 4:18). “Now once, in the END of the world…” Could it be God has a different spiritual time clock than our earthly time clock?
Looking at Hebrews 9:24, end times have already occurred, as defined by Daniel 9:24. Note: I’m NOT saying there is nothing else to come. God is not a God of unfinished business. Jesus is coming back (Acts 1:11). But to claim he has a lot to do when he comes back is non-gospel nonsense and religious do-do.
Jews don’t believe in the finished work of Jesus because most Christians don’t believe in the finished work of Jesus either. We can’t give away what we ain’t got. If we live like Jews, why should Jews want to live like Christians? Most Christians are glued on the law, and the future end times. So are Jews. What is NEW Testament gospel about any of this?
The gospel of God is amazing, but we must live it. As The Gospel Coach, I help in this by (1) these GOSPEL SNAPSHOTS, (2) more comprehensive GOSPEL TIPS that I email, and (3) my e-books called GOSPEL COACHING SESSIONS. Visit http://www.TheGospelCoach.com and sign up. God’s gospel is free!
