A Look into Messianic Judaism

High Holidays

Messianic Judaism is something that when people hear the term, it brings them back a bit to think about and ask… what is Messianic Judaism?

Before I go to explain the Judaism Part, I’d like to refer to the very foundation we stand on… that is the Messianic part. We will call this… the Messianic Vision!

Congregation Rebirth, what is the Messianic Vision? Now I am not talking about Sid Roth’s “Messianic Vision”, but when we hear the term Messianic Vision, what do you think about it? Check out something that Paul said as he was held captive and brought before king Agrippa.

Acts 26:27–29 TLV

King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do believe!” Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time you are trying to persuade me to be Messianic!” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would pray to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today would be such as I am—except for these chains!”

If you know this passage, Paul was taken into custody, but it was not his time to die the crazy death. Rather, it was a time to see God’s awesome Name glorified! Which is why he responded… ““Whether short or long, I would pray to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today would be such as I am—except for these chains!”

Not that is the God I serve! The whole purpose of Paul’s ministry to show people that the Messianic Kingdom was at hand… That God had accomplished through Himself as Messiah Yeshua to die the penalty for our sins; That all who believe will receive the gift of life. This life that Paul attained is what God wants for all Jew and Gentile!

This leads me to say that the Messianic Vision is for all to come to the fullness of faith (as Paul did) that

1. The God of Israel is the great God; That Messiah Yeshua is the only King Forever!

2. He has chosen you and I to receive Him, and to receive each-other in the way He has called us to Himself (Jew first and gentile likewise)!

3. We are to be transformed as a whole so that Adonai would bring us out as a people called by His Name into His glory as spoken about in the prophets - Worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth… Forever!

Now before I get caught up in explaining all this, I want you to know that more will be shared throughout this series on the High Holidays, because all the High Holidays are not Jewish or Judaic concepts, they are Messianic ones that were given to the Jew First and the Gentile likewise!

Because of this, we will go into judaic ideas pertaining to the Messianic Vision.

So now… the High Holidays:

Again, we are not going all in to each holiday today, but I want to give an overview about why we celebrate the High-Holidays.... As said above, it is not that it is a Jewish concept, but it is a Messianic Concept given to us all (Jew and Gentile alike) pointing us to the second coming of Yeshua and the great, terrible, and Glorious day of the Lord!

So let’s look at the scripture talking about the High Holiday feasts: Lev. 23

So straight off the bat, the holidays celebrate here are:

Shabbat (though weekly it is a Holy day - Just look at the ten commandments and how many times Shabbat is said throughout Scripture) Leviticus 23:1–3

Pesach/Passover & Feast of Unleavened Bread (celebrated in the spring) and this is something that is straight forward… it doesnt say only the Jewish people. In fact all these days when you look through Exodus refers to the whole community… even the outsiders that are among you! We will ofcourse get to that as well. Leviticus 23:4–8 after reading this, I got a little provoked, and so I ask you… How hard is it to just say Passover instead of easter?

Bikkurim and Shavuot - This day is focused on giving to the Lord a waver offering Leviticus 23:9–11… counting the days of the omer (50 days), and lastly holding a holy convocation Leviticus 23:15–16. This last day on the 50th day is what we call Pentecost… It is interesting to see that Pentecost is actually celebrated before the great event in Acts 2.

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) - from Spring we are now in the fall Leviticus 23:23–25. Feast of Trumpets is also straight forward and is emphasized as a Shabbat.

Yom Kippur (day of atonement) - 10 days following the feast of Trumpets, God again commands a day of awe. A day to simply humble ourselves before Him. We will definitely explain this one as it show Messiah all over. Leviticus 23:26–32.

Last but not least, Sukkoth - Leviticus 23:33–44 This is how Leviticus ends, but, I cannot go with out saying this without summarizing...

There are other celebrations in Scripture that God asks us to draw near to Him, and there are other celebrations in Scripture that are made by man to celebrate, worship, and/or humble ourselves before the Lord. This example is given by out monthly celebrations called Rosh Chodesh made by God. While another would be Chanukkah or Purim made by man to worship God.

Numbers 10:10; Num. 28:11-15; Jn. 10:22; Esther 9:21–22

The trumpets were sounded, many different kinds of offerings were sacrificed, and it was a holiday with a day off of work. While we will go over these during our Shabbat celebrations, it is important to know that it all goes back to the Messianic Vision. God gave these to us so that as the priest He has called us to be, we may be able to show all Who God IS, bring healing restoration and rebirth to the land, people, and the nations, and usher in second coming of our Messiah! I know you believe in the prophets, and I only pray that you would be like me… except for these chains!

Shema Israel Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad!