Why Did The Jews Reject Jesus?

Why do most Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah?

One of the most heartbreaking tragedies in the Bible is the account of the Jews rejecting their own Messiah, which is recorded in the book of Jeremiah.After millennia of anxiously awaiting and expecting His presence, the majority of Jews failed to identify Him when He finally arrived.In Jesus’ day, the Jews had read the Old Testament Scriptures and were well aware of who the Messiah was meant to be: a political leader who would remove their enemies from their country, re-establish the Jewish nation, and restore peace and prosperity to God’s chosen people.That, however, is not what Jesus came to do.However, even if the predictions of political peace in the millennial kingdom have yet to be realized, Jesus’ goal on earth was to promote personal peace between individuals and God.Even more stunning was the fact that peace was to be extended to Gentiles on an equal footing with Jews in the process.

The teachings of Jesus were even more incompatible with the Jews’ conception of their Messiah than Jesus himself.Generally speaking, Jesus preached a rigorous type of Judaism, maintaining stringent divorce rules and emphasizing that He had not come to abolish the Torah.There were a few doctrines, on the other hand, that pious Jews found difficult to accept.The first was that He had the ability to pardon sins.According to Jewish belief, forgiveness of sins is a considerably more extensive procedure than simply accepting a man’s word for it.Others feel that if misdeeds are forgiven readily, it would just encourage people to commit more sin.

Second, Jesus’ instruction to love our adversaries and to pray for them is a powerful teaching.Jews who have endured decades of persecution from a variety of sources consider this abhorrent to their way of life.It also appears to be in conflict with regulations found in the Old Testament, such as Deuteronomy 17:7, which commands people to eliminate wickedness ″from their midst.″ A major divergence occurred when it became clear that Jesus was speaking about personal relationships (which He had come to mend), rather than political policy (which the Jews thought He had come to restore).For a nation to establish and enforce laws, as well as to go to war for legitimate causes, is both good and proper.Jesus taught that we should treat others with love and mercy in our personal interactions.Jews, on the other hand, do not embrace Jesus’ teaching that He is the only way to get to heaven.

Because Jews follow a religious system based on restitution and real repentance, they do not require the assistance of a middleman in order to contact God.They also have a misunderstanding of what forgiveness and salvation are all about.Given their belief that humanity lacks a sin nature, they do not believe that any rational, attentive individual can sin to the point that they are unable to get forgiveness via their own efforts.For the Jews, Jesus was rejected as the Messiah because it was completely incomprehensible to them that God had come down in the form of a man and lived among them.It was impossible for God to take on a bodily form, and it was heresy for any man to say that he was the Creator.

In their pride in their rigorous commitment to the rules of the Old Testament, they were oblivious to the reality of who Jesus really is.The Jews finally rejected Jesus because God had darkened their eyes to see him.Since their liberation from Babylon, the Jews have been devout believers of the One True God.

They were aware of the law and adhered to it.They awaited God’s Messiah, a military commander who would usher in a new period of wealth, with bated breath and hope.That worldview, for whatever reason, rendered it historically important that the belief in Jesus did not spread among the Jewish people.It’s possible that it would have slowed the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world.

Alternatively, it is possible that the existing ecclesiastical and political authorities would have exerted an excessive influence on the developing Christianity.What should we say, then, according to Paul in Romans 9:30-32?This belief is supported by the fact that Gentiles who did not desire righteousness have gained it, namely, a righteousness based on faith; meanwhile, Israel, who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness, has not succeeded in obtaining that law.Why?Because they did not seek it on the basis of faith, but rather on the basis of deeds.They have made a stumbling block in their way to the other side.

Because of their passion for the law, they were blind to the law-giver, as stated in Romans 10:3, which states that ″because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God, and wanting to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.″ As the Old Testament attests, this is a recurring motif in Israel’s historical development.The vast majority of Jews today continue to reject Jesus, clinging to ancient behaviors while justifying them with contemporary beliefs.In the absence of a sin nature, there is no requirement for a sacrifice that is more pure than human effort and intention.The term ″Messiah″ no longer refers to a particular individual, but rather to a historical force that would exact vengeance on the Jewish people and restore Israel to its former glory as a strong power.

  1. If the Jews had followed Jesus’ nonviolent teachings, there would be no Jews left to exist today.
  2. Also causing much consternation is the issue of the Jews and their role in the execution of Jesus.
  3. Many members of the Christian church have blamed Jews for Jesus’ horrendous death, and some have been particularly nasty in their accusations.

The statement is incorrect, as Jesus deliberately gave His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole human population.However, the collective memory of an oppressed people is lengthy, and violence in the name of ″Jesus″ has left an indelible impression on Jewish philosophy.Nonetheless, not all Jews, whether then or now, oppose Jesus.In addition to the apostles being Jewish, it is believed that there are around a quarter-million Messianic Jews in the United States today.As a country, Israel continues to hold an important position.

When God establishes His millennial empire, he will once again look to the Jews as His chosen people.Jews will come to Israel in large numbers (Ezekiel 34:11-13).They will eventually come to recognize Jesus as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10).

God will mend their broken relationship with Himself (Ezekiel 11:17).And, according to Isaiah 2:4, Jesus will govern the globe from Jerusalem, bringing peace to all countries (Isaiah 11:6-9).Jesus would continue to be rejected by the Jews only until the ″fullness of the Gentiles has come in″ (Romans 11:25).Hopefully, this will happen shortly.Truths that are related: What do Jews hold to be true?

  • What exactly is Judaism?
  • Are Jews automatically saved since they are God’s chosen people?
  • What is the reason for the Jews’ discontinuation of animal sacrifices?

When it comes to forgiveness from God, how do Jewish people today feel they may get it?The death and resurrection of Messiah, as predicted in the Hebrew Scriptures, have yet to take place.Could people be saved before Jesus died on the cross for our sins?How?Return to the page: Religion and the Truth

Why Do Jews Reject Jesus As the Messiah? Here Are 2 Reasons

Because the Jews were God’s chosen people and Israel was the birthplace of God’s work, and because the Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would lead their lives, they had eagerly awaited the arrival of the Messiah.In fact, the Jews had awaited the Messiah for over 2,000 years.When the Messiah—the Lord Jesus—truly arrived to do His work, however, they did not embrace Him, but instead resisted Him and even crucified Him.This is the subject we will be discussing today.We pray that the Lord will lead us.Navigation with Ease The first reason was that the Jews depended on their own imaginations and concepts in order to interpret the prophesies and delimit God’s action in order to understand the prophecies.

The second reason was that the Jews looked up to the top priests, scribes, and Pharisees; while they professed to trust in God, they really obeyed man’s commands in substance and practice.The Warning to the Rest of Us The first reason was that the Jews depended on their own imaginations and concepts in order to interpret the prophesies and delimit God’s action in order to understand the prophecies.It is written in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 6–7, as follows: Because to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall rest on His shoulders; and His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.″ There will be no end to the expansion of His rule and peace on the throne of David and in His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from this time forward and for all time.This will be accomplished through the zeal of Jehovah of hosts.″ Based on this prophecy, the Jews’ imaginations were allowed to run wild.Their belief was that, since the Messiah would come to authority, He would be born in a palace, He would be majestic, He would have the countenance of a king, and He would lead them to overthrow the Roman government.In contrast, not only did the Lord Jesus Christ not have His birth in a royal palace, but He was also given birth in a manger.

Not only did He not behave in the manner in which they expected a king to behave, but He also appeared to be a very ordinary and common man.Rather than leading them to overthrow the Roman government, He taught them to be forgiving and tolerant, to love their enemies, and to forgive others seventy seven times over instead.It was the image and work of the Lord Jesus that completely shattered the Jews’ preconceived notions of the Messiah in their hearts and minds.As an added bonus, in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 7, verse 14, it says, ″Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he shall be called Immanuel.″ On the basis of this prophecy, Jewish tradition held that the virgin who would give birth to the Messiah must be an unmarried woman.In fact, when they discovered that Mary had a husband, they wondered aloud, ″How could it be possible that the prophecy of ‘a virgin shall conceive and bear a son’ has come true on Mary?″ Accordingly, they came to the conclusion that the Lord Jesus could not possibly be the prophesied Messiah based on their own ideas and imaginations about who the Messiah was.This was why they refused to accept the Lord Jesus’ words and work, and why they ultimately crucified Him, committing the most heinous of sins.

The second reason was that the Jews looked up to the top priests, scribes, and Pharisees; while they professed to trust in God, they really obeyed man’s commands in substance and practice.The Pharisees, chief priests, and scribes were all the leaders of the religious world that held authority, and had prestige and position; they appeared pious, were well-versed in the scriptures, were very familiar with the law, and served God in the temple for generations.The Jews worshiped power and status, so they thought that, since the chief priests, scribes and the Pharisees had believed in God and read the scriptures for many years, they must be able to recognize the Messiah when He came, and thereby following them would not be wrong.Thus when the blind and ignorant Pharisees relied on their own imagination and notions to deny that the Lord Jesus was the Messiah and even to condemn and blaspheme the Lord Jesus; the Jews followed them and did the same.Just as when the Pharisees said that the Lord Jesus cast out devils through Beelzebub, chief of the devils, the Jews thought that their condemnations couldn’t possibly be wrong, and thus followed them to condemn the Lord Jesus.

Even when the chief priests intended to nail the Lord Jesus to the cross, the Jews still blindly followed along with them.It’s just as John 19:6–7 records, “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him.Pilate said to them, Take you Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him.

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” The Jews did not apply their discernment to what the chief priests said.When the chief priests said that Jesus should be crucified, the Jews chimed in and used the law to convict Him, following the chief priests in resisting God.And they even made the vow that the sin would be on them and their descendants, with the result that their offspring fled to countries around the world and many were killed.God said: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

(Hosea 4:6).“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).(Matthew 15:9).The Jews didn’t understand the truth, nor did they seek the truth or examine whether the Lord Jesus’ work was from God and whether His words were beneficial to people.They just blindly followed and worshiped the Pharisees and the chief priests, such that they nailed the Lord Jesus to the cross.As a result, they met with God’s curses and punishment.

The Warning to the Rest of Us What warning does the failure of the Jews give us?We all know that we are already in the last days, that the prophecies of the Lord’s return have been fulfilled, and that it is time for the Lord to return.According to the prophecies in the Book of Revelation, God has a lot of work to do in the last days, such as opening the scroll and seven seals, expressing the Holy Spirit’s words to all churches, and making a group of overcomers.But only a little about these works is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, and how God accomplishes these works is not recorded in detail.

  1. Under these circumstances, when the work of the returned God in the last days seems at odds with our notions and imaginings, we must not compare the literal meaning of the prophecies in the Bible with what God does, or rely on our notions and imaginings to delimit His work, or refuse to seek and study His work, and even less can we blindly obey man or follow man, like the Jewish people.
  2. But instead, we should be wise virgins who long for and seek the truth, examine God’s new work in the last days and see whether it really is from God.
  3. Only in this way will we have the chance to welcome the Lord and gain His salvation in the last days.
See also:  Why Did The Romans Crucify Jesus Of Nazareth?

The Lord Jesus said: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).(John 10:27).“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8).I believe that when the Lord Jesus returns to perform His work in the last days, as long as we seek the truth and focus on hearing His voice, we will attain His salvation.Amen!

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Why Did the Jews Reject Jesus?

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Why Did the Jews Reject Jesus?

After hearing about Jesus Christ for the first time, they turned away from Him—a reality that had been predicted and was eventually accomplished!It was, however, among His own people—Jewish men and women—that Jesus first discovered those who came to believe that He was ″’…the Christ, the Son of the living God.’″ (Matthew 16:16; Mark 10:16).The period of Herod the king was filled with excitement as the Messiah’s arrival was anticipated with great anticipation.Events that had place in the country of Judea following the birth of Jesus are recounted in Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2—all of which allude to predictions concerning the coming of the Messiah.These topics were well-known; they were discussed by a large number of individuals (compare Luke 2:17).Knowing the Messianic predictions drew the attention of those who did follow Christ: ″Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have discovered Him of whom Moses in the law, as well as the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph’″ (Matthew 1:11).

(See John 1:45.) A Pharisee and a son of a Pharisee, as Paul described himself, was the basis of his ministry.(See Acts 23:6) In the beginning, Paul did not think Jesus to be anything more than a dangerous cult leader who needed to be stopped.What he says about himself is worth noting: ″For you are aware of my previous conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and attempted to destroy it.As a result, I rose in Judaism beyond many of my colleagues in my own country because I was more extraordinarily ardent in upholding the traditions of my dad″ (Galatians 1:13-14).However, when Jesus came to Paul in a supernatural manner, He gave him the authority to preach the gospel: ″Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, proclaiming that He is the Son of God.″ Then everyone who heard it gasped and exclaimed, ‘Isn’t he the same person who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and who has come here specifically for that reason, in order to bring them bound before the chief priests?’ As time went on, however, Saul (Paul) grew in stature and power, and he confused the Jews who lived in Damascus, demonstrating that this Jesus is the Christ″ (Acts 9:20-22).It’s important to note how Paul supported his claims: ″or he aggressively opposed the Jews publicly, demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ″ (Acts 18:28).

Some Jews accepted Paul’s teachings: ″Now after they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they got to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews,″ Paul writes.As was his wont, Paul walked into their midst and reasoned with them from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths, proving and explaining that the Christ had to be crucified and risen from the dead, and declaring, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’ Then a large number of pious Greeks, as well as a number of prominent ladies, joined Paul and Silas in their mission″ (Acts 17:1-4).The majority of Jews rejected what Paul taught: ″On the following Sabbath, virtually the entire city gathered to hear God’s word spoken.″ However, when the Jews saw the large crowds, they were filled with enviousness, and they reacted by disputing and blaspheming Paul’s words.Paul and Barnabas took the initiative and declared, ‘It was essential that the word of God be given to you first; nevertheless, because you reject it and consider yourself unworthy of eternal life, behold, we shift our attention to the Gentiles’…As a result, the Jews incited the pious and notable ladies as well as the city’s leading men to whip up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, ultimately leading to their expulsion from their province″ (Acts 13:44-46, 50).After being imprisoned for a period of time, Paul was transported to the city of Rome.

Despite this, he was nevertheless able to impart knowledge to those who sought him out.The leaders of the Jews in Rome were among those who came to Paul, and Paul addressed them as follows: ″So when they appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning until evening.″ And some were persuaded by the things that were spoken, while others remained skeptical″ (Acts 28:23-24).Specifically, in response to the point posed in the Q&A, Paul explained why the majority of Jews did reject Jesus, using a parallel with the veil that Moses had to put over his face due to the brightness of God’s visage following his appearance before God: ″But their brains were blinded.″ Because the curtain has been lifted in Christ, the reading of the Old Testament continues to this day with the same veil remaining unlifted in the New Testament.However, even now, when the book of Moses is read, a curtain is drawn over their hearts.The veil, on the other hand, is removed when one turns to the Lord″ (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

Because the rulers didn’t understand God’s wisdom, Paul made it clear that they were responsible for Jesus’ death: ″But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory″ (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).Christ affirmed this truth by pleading with God the Father to forgive His killers on the grounds that ″they do not understand what they are doing″ (Luke 23:34).On the other hand, it is true that the Pharisees were aware of the existence of Christ and that they had some knowledge of Him.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Christ in the middle of the night and informed Him, ″Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher sent by God; for no one can accomplish these signs that You do unless God is with Him″ (John 3:2).But they rejected Him anyway because they were envious of Him and did not want to lose their positions in the community (Matthew 27:18; John 11:48).As a result, they falsely accused Him of casting out demons via the power of Satan, prompting Christ to issue a severe warning to them, knowing full well that they were wrong (Matthew 12:22-32).After demonstrating once more that the Jews were ″ignorant″ about who Christ was, the apostle Peter boldly preached to them about Him, demonstrating once more that they were ″ignorant″ about who Christ was: ″The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied before Pilate when he was determined to let Him go.″ You, on the other hand, refused the Holy One and the Just, and sought for a murderer to be granted to you, and you murdered the Prince of Life, whom God resurrected from the grave, and we were witnesses to this…

But now, friends, I am aware that you, as well as your leadership, acted in ignorance of the situation.That is to say that the things that God predicted about the Christ via the voice of all of His prophets have been brought to pass by the death of the Christ″ (Acts 3:13-15, 17-18).The people did not have a clear understanding of who Christ actually was.″Who do men claim that I, the Son of Man, am?″ Christ inquired of His followers.″What do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?″ ″Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, some say Jeremiah, and some say one or more of the prophets,″ the disciples said.In response to Jesus’ question, ″But who do you claim that I am?″ Peter said, ″You are Christ, the Son of the living God.″ Christ stated that this insight had to have come from God the Father, since else, he would not have known what he was talking about himself (compare Matthew 16:13-17).

Peter and John were arrested and brought before Jewish leaders in Jerusalem as a result of the healing of a man who had been lame since birth: ″And it came to pass the next day that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all those who were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.″ Following their placement in the midst, they inquired as to ‘by what power or by what name have you done this?’ they said.When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he addressed them as ″rulers of the people and elders of Israel.″ He said, ″If we are judged today for a good deed done to a helpless man, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole.″ This is the ″stone that was rejected by you builders, but which has now been elevated to the position of principal cornerstone.″ The Bible says, ″There is no salvation in any other, because there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.″ (See Acts 4:5-12.) When Stephen was taken before the Jewish council for preaching about Jesus (Acts 6:15), he delivered a stinging reprimand to the nation’s religious authorities for their persistent rejection of God, saying, ″’You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!’″ You are always in opposition to the Holy Spirit; just as your forefathers were, so are you.Which of the prophets were spared the wrath of your forefathers?In addition, they murdered those who foresaw the arrival of the Just One, of whom you have now been betrayed and murdered, having received the law under the leadership of angels but having failed to follow it.″ (See Acts 7:51-53.) The Jews were so angry by what Stephen stated that they assassinated Stephen (compare Acts 7:54-60).

  1. It was also the Jewish authorities who were hostile to what Jesus had spoken, and it was they who arranged His crucifixion, which was accepted by the Jewish people (see Acts 2:23 and 36) and carried out by the Romans.
  2. The fact that Jesus was rejected by the House of Judah is recorded in the New Testament: ″He came to his own, and his own did not welcome Him″ (John 1:11).
  3. When Jesus spoke to the Jews and their leaders in Jerusalem, He addressed their lack of knowledge by pointing to prophecy on a frequent basis: ″’You seek the Scriptures, because you think in them you will find eternal life; and these are the Scriptures that testify of Me…’ Do not imagine that I will bring charges against you before the Father; there is someone who will bring charges against you—Moses, in whom you place your faith.

Because if you believed Moses, you would believe Me as well, because he wrote about Me in his book.″However, if you do not trust his writings, how would you believe My words?″ says the Prophet.(See John 5:39, 45, and 47.) Following His resurrection, Jesus used what was written in the Old Testament to establish His own unique identity.In the words of the Lord Jesus, ″And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself″ (Matthew 5:17).Then, in Luke 24:27, ″He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me,’″ and ″all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me,″ respectively.

(See Luke 24:44.) In harsh words, Jesus called out the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, who represented the religious establishment in Judea (compare Matthew 23).Jesus, even in His most scathing condemnation, alluded to a future day when ″His own″ would no longer reject Him: ″’Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who murder the prophets and stone those who are sent to you!’″ How many times I want to bring your children together, like a hen collects her chicks beneath her wings, but you refused to cooperate!See!

Your home has been left desolate because, as I have said to you, you will not see Me again until you say, ″Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!″ (See Matthew 23:37-39).As a result, the Jewish people who were living under the rule of the Roman Empire looked for a Savior to deliver them from their plight, and they applied the Messianic prophecies to their own circumstances rather than what was actually revealed in the Bible.In addition, the religious leaders in Judea were unwilling and unable to turn to God for guidance and direction.When John the Baptist preached, they failed to ″produce fruits worthy of repentance,″ as the Bible states (compare Matthew 3:7-10).Premeditatedly wicked, they plotted the assassination of Jesus (see Matthew 26:3-4), and they rejected Him as their King as a result of their actions (compare John 19:1-22).

  • Finally, consider these words from Jesus Christ, which were aimed directly at the Jews of His day and are applicable to all of us: In the same way that Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, it is written: ″This people respects Me with their lips, but their hearts are distant from Me.″ For setting aside the law of God, you adhere to human tradition–the washing of pitchers and cups, among other things–and teaching them as doctrines.″ For laying aside the commandment of God, you adhere to human tradition–the washing of pitchers and cups and many other similar things you do″ (Mark 7:6-9).
  • The majority of the Jewish people, as well as their religious authorities, rejected Christ because they were unable to comprehend who He was.
  • They acted in a ″willfully uninformed″ manner (2 Peter 3:5, Authorized Version).
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The situation is the same now.The vast majority of Jews, as well as the vast majority of people all over the globe, do not truly know God the Father and Jesus Christ, since the genuine understanding of who and what God is has been concealed from them throughout history (John 16:3).As a result, Christ’s real disciples are despised by the world and will have to face persecution as a result of their beliefs (Matthew 24:9; John 15:18-21).Dave Harris and Norbert Link are the primary writers on this project.

Why did so many Jews in Israel reject Jesus Christ?

And when He arrived to His own, those who were His own did not welcome Him as their own.John 1:11 (New International Version) When we examine the views of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus and wonder why so many rejected Him, we may get vital insights into the Christian life.While it is true that the vast majority of Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, it is also crucial to remember that the first Jews to believe in Him were a relatively tiny group of Jews – numbering only a few thousand people out of the millions who lived in Israel at the time.The phrase ″the Israel of God″ refers to Jewish people who have come to faith in Jesus.Not only is it a restriction of Israel – in order to identify the believing remnant within the Jewish people, but it is also an enlargement of ″Israel″ to include Gentile believers.

Galatians 6:16

Peace and kindness to everyone who abides by this guideline, including God’s chosen people, Israel. As an example, when Jesus referred to Nathanael as ″a real Israelite,″ He was recognizing that Nathanael was a Jewish man who was placing his faith in God completely and completely.

John 1:47

Nathanael was approaching when Jesus noticed him, and He remarked of him, ″Here is a real Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.″ Despite the fact that Israel had been promised a Messiah and Saviour – and we can see numerous Scriptures (which they had as well) that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ – a large number of Jews rejected Him and even persecuted the early Jewish church, as recorded in the book of Acts (Acts 7:59-8:1).

Acts 7:59-8:1

He was being stoned when Stephen pleaded to the Lord Jesus, ″Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.″ Then he sank on his knees and pleaded with the Lord, ″Lord, please do not hold this sin against them.″ He fell asleep as soon as he finished speaking.And Saul was present, giving his blessing to his execution.This day, a major persecution against the church in Jerusalem began, and everyone except the apostles was scattered across Judea and Samaria as a result of the persecution.× In other words, although it is true that God predetermined the rejection of Jesus by everyone but a remnant of Israel – in order for the gospel to reach Gentiles – it is also true that people are not exonerated of their obligation to accept the Truth.

Romans 11:2-5,25

God did not turn His back on His people, who He had foreknew.Who among us does not recall what the Bible says about Elijah’s appeal to God in the section concerning Israel, in which he says ″Lord, Your prophets and altars have been taken down; I am the only one left, and they are attempting to murder me″?And what was God’s response to his question?″I have set aside seven thousand people who have not bent the knee to Baal for My own personal use.″ In the same way, there is a remnant of people who have been selected by grace at this time.So that you do not get arrogant, I do not want you to be uninformed of this truth, brothers: Israel has undergone a hardening in part until the complete number of Gentiles has been admitted.

Acts 7:51

″You stiff-necked people, with your hearts and ears yet uncircumcised! The Holy Spirit always finds a way to get the better of you, just like your forebears!″ ×

Why did so many Jews reject Jesus?

  1. Suffering is viewed as a curse by the individual who does not have the assistance of the Holy Spirit. All of the Old Testament prophecies prophesied the arrival of a future Messiah. Throughout the Scriptures, there were references to a Suffering Servant as well as references to a Conquering King, to name a couple of examples. Knowing that the Scriptures that talk of a Conquering King are referring to Jesus during His Second Coming, we may be assured that they are correct. However, we can probably understand why the Jews were perplexed since they did not have the revelation of the Holy Spirit to guide them. The belief in two different messiahs continues to be held by many rabbis today. Jews lived under the oppression of the Roman Empire throughout Jesus’ time on the earth. Their country had been occupied, and they were waiting for a leader to emerge who would save them. They were so preoccupied with the prospect of a Conquering King that they failed to see the predictions of a Suffering Servant. ″There will be no cross, no crown,″ we declare. ″Without thorns, there is no throne,″ the Bible says, yet many in Israel were only concerned with quick success. I have to wonder if this is much different from the situations that exist in most of the church today. So many Christians feel that they are entitled to riches and ″success″ because they are ″King’s children.″ Because of Israel’s past, it is prudent to be wary of anything that has the ring of Christian triumphalism in its title.
  2. The individual who is not assisted by the Holy Spirit desires to believe that they are deserving of acceptance.
  3. At the time of Jesus, the vast majority of the people of Israel attempted to find their righteousness via their efforts to follow the Law of Moses. Self-satisfaction is achieved via work. It provided them with a reason to be proud of their own achievements. They were better equipped to embrace Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf because they had confessed that they were not measuring up and had thrown themselves on the mercy of God, rather than the other way around. Whenever we are involved in church life, there is always the danger of slipping into a state where we find our security via formalism rather than through trust in Jesus Christ. The Christian life is not about following a set of rules and performing rituals. It is all about having a personal relationship with Jesus. To become closer to God, we must first recognize when we are beginning to take pride in our religious rituals.
Romans 9:30-33
  1. ″So, what are we going to say?″ In that the Gentiles, who did not actively pursue righteousness, have achieved it, a righteousness based on faith
  2. but Israel, who actively desired a legalized kind of righteousness, has failed to do so. What’s the harm in trying? Because they pursued it not on the basis of faith, but rather as if it were a matter of deeds. This caused them to trip over the’stumbling stone.’ As it is written: ″Behold, I have laid in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that causes them to fall, and the one who relies in Him will never be ashamed. ″ The individual who does not have the assistance of the Holy Spirit desires to be in command. Religious leaders in Israel at the time of Jesus had a certain amount of power and wealth that they want to maintain. In addition, they were terrified that the Romans might find a reason to seize control of their religious life and temple. They were prepared to sacrifice Jesus rather than allow themselves to be overthrown. While researching the New Testament, I was unable to come up with a single instance of early Christians acquiring church property or any other signs of prosperity. In reality, the inverse is true. They appeared to be in a mad dash to distribute everything to the less fortunate. I would not use this as a reason to argue that churches should not construct meeting facilities, but I am concerned when large sums of money are spent to make these structures ostentatious, and I have observed that disputes in church life are exacerbated whenever there is a struggle for control of property in the church. To live without this temptation, or at the very least to call out to God for aid in resisting it, appears to be a spiritually safer course of action.

John 11:47-53

The chief priests and Pharisees then convened a meeting of the Sanhedrin to discuss the situation.″Can you tell us what we’re accomplishing?″ they inquired.″Look at this man, who is doing a slew of amazing signs.If we continue to allow Him to act in this manner, everyone will come to believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our location and our country.″ Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who happened to be the high priest that year, chimed in, saying, ″You don’t know anything at all!You are unaware that it is preferable for you that one man die for the people than that the entire nation perishes.″ Despite the fact that he did not state it himself, he foretold that Jesus would suffer for the Jewish nation that year, and not only for that country but also for the scattered children of God, in order to bring them together and make them one nation under the rule of the Messiah.

As a result, they began plotting to assassinate Him the following day.

Acts 2:42-45

In addition to the apostles’ teaching and company, they committed themselves to the breaking of bread and the observance of prayer.There were numerous miracles and supernatural signs performed by the apostles, and everyone was in awe of what they were seeing.All of the believers were together in one place and had a single goal.They distributed their things and commodities to anybody in need after selling their belongings and assets.

Jesus predicted that ″the love of the majority will turn cold″ at the end of time. According to the Bible, the end will not arrive until the apostasy, also known as the great falling away, occurs. God was harsh on Israel, despite the fact that He has stated that He has never ceased loving them. I’m left to wonder if the church will face a similar test in the near future.

Matthew 24:12-13

Most people’s love will turn cold as a result of the growth in evil; but, those who remain steady until the end will be rescued.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Avoid being deceived by anybody, since that day will not come until the apostasy has occurred and the man of lawlessness has been revealed….

Jeremiah 31:3

It has been revealed to us by the LORD in the past that ″I have loved you with an eternal love; I have attracted you with loving-kindness.″ ×

Romans 11:13-24

″I’m talking to you Gentiles right now.Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I devote a significant portion of my ministry to the aim of arousing envy among my own people and therefore saving some of them from their sins.For if their rejection represents the world’s reconciliation, what would their acceptance represent but the resurrection of the dead?In other words, if the portion of the dough donated as firstfruits is holy, then the entire batch is holy; if the root is sacred, then the branches are sacred as well.It is inappropriate to take credit for some of the branches that have been broken off, especially if you, as a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among them and are now benefiting from the nutritious sap that comes from the olive tree’s root.

If you do, keep in mind that you are not supporting the root, rather the root is supporting you.When it happens, you’ll say something like, ″Branches were broken off so that I may be grafted in.″ Granted.However, they were severed because of disbelief, and you remain firm in your faith.Do not be conceited, but rather fearful.Since God did not spare the natural branches, you can be sure that he will not spare you as well.Consider God’s compassion and sternness in this regard: sternness toward those who have fallen, but tenderness toward you, assuming that you continue to be nice to one another.

You will be disconnected if you do not comply.And if they do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted back in, for God has the ability to graft them back in.Consider this: If you were cut from an olive tree that was naturally wild and, in contravention of nature, were transplanted into a cultivated olive tree, imagine how much more quickly these natural branches will be transplanted into their own olive tree!Messages that are related:

Why the Jews Rejected Jesus: The Turning Point in Western History: Klinghoffer, David: Amazon.nl: Boeken

What were the reasons for the Jews’ rejection of Jesus?Was Jesus actually the son of God, as he claimed?Were the Jews complicit in his execution or were they on his side?These age-old concerns have been argued for almost two thousand years, most recently with the release of Mel Gibson’s incendiary The Passion of the Christ, which reopened the argument.The debate was never confined to a purely scholarly realm.

The response would determine the legal position and security of Jews, and in certain cases, their very lives.Throughout his book, WHY THE JEWS REJECTED JESUS, David Klinghoffer demonstrates that Jews have acknowledged not only the historical presence of Jesus, but also the role played by specific Jews in orchestrating his torture and death since the beginning of time.His argument, on the other hand, is that they had every cause to be dubious of his claims to be God.For starters, Palestine under Roman control was home to a slew of charismatic would-be messiahs, so Jesus was neither the first nor the most widespread of his kind.Nor was his following the largest of its kind.A second reason is that Jesus did not fulfill the biblical prophesies concerning the advent of the Messiah, which included the gathering of exiles, the ascension of a Davidic monarch to destroy Israel’s enemies, the construction of a new Temple, and the acceptance of God by the gentiles.

See also:  Jesus Christ How Terrifying

Over and above all, the Jews regarded their biblically mandated way of life, from which Jesus’ disciples intended to ″free″ them, as something priceless, unchangeable, and everlasting, as opposed to everything else.Jews have long been held responsible for Jesus’ killing and vilified for their refusal to accept him.However, Jesus was a very unknown person on the periphery of Jewish culture during his life and death.Indeed, it is impossible to claim that ″the Jews″ of Jesus’ day rejected him at all, given that the vast majority of Jews had never heard of him before.The man they truly despised, and frequently violently, was Paul, who persuaded the Jerusalem church, led by Jesus’ brother, to abandon the adherence of Jewish law and adopt a more liberal approach.

As a result, Paul established a new religion.If it hadn’t been for him, Christianity would almost certainly have remained a Jewish movement, and the path of history would almost certainly have been different.It is possible that if the Jews had embraced Jesus, Christianity would not have overrun Europe and there would be no Western civilisation as we know it today, according to Klinghoffer.WHAT CAUSED THE JEWS TO REJECT It is in JESUS that we learn the narrative of this protracted, contentious, often fatal conflict between Christians and Jews.

Overall, it is a wonderfully interesting read that is well written and, in many respects, quite creative.However, despite the fact that it is written from a Jewish point of view, it is also deeply respectful of Christian sensitivities.This scholarly and fascinating book, published at a time when Christians and Jews are, in some ways, moving closer together than they have ever been, is a sincere effort to bridge the old breach that exists between these two major spiritual traditions.

Why didn’t the Jews in Christ’s time recognize him as the Messiah?

What were the reasons for the Jews’ rejection of Christ?What evidence did Jesus have that he was indeed God’s son.Were the Jews complicit in his execution or were they simply victims?Since approximately two thousand years, these old concerns have been argued, most recently with the release of Mel Gibson’s enthralling The Passion of the Christ.The debate was never confined to a purely intellectual debate, though.

The outcome would determine the legal position and security of Jews, and in certain cases, their very lives.David Klinghoffer explains in his book WHY THE JEWS REJECTED JESUS that Jews have acknowledged not only the historical presence of Jesus, but also the participation of specific Jews in bringing about his crucifixion and death, dating back to antiquity and beyond.His argument, on the other hand, is that they had every cause to be dubious of assertions that he was divine in the first place.In the first place, throughout the Roman colonization of Palestine, there were a plethora of charismatic would-be messiahs, thus Jesus was neither unique nor did he have the greatest following of any type among his peers.A second reason is that Jesus did not fulfill the biblical prophesies concerning the arrival of the Messiah, which included the gathering of exiles, the ascension of a Davidic monarch to destroy Israel’s enemies, the construction of a new Temple, and the acceptance of God by the gentiles.Above all, the Jews regarded their biblically mandated way of life, from which Jesus’ disciples intended to ″liberate″ them, as priceless, unchangeable, and everlasting, regardless of the circumstances.

In the centuries since Jesus’ death, Jews have been held responsible and vilified for their refusal to accept Jesus as Messiah.Nonetheless, Jesus was a rather unknown person on the periphery of Jewish culture during his life and death..Because most Jews had never heard of Jesus, it is impossible to say that ″the Jews″ of his day were hostile to him in any way.It was Paul, who persuaded the Jerusalem church led by Jesus’ brother to abandon the practice of Jewish law, that they truly despised and frequently violently reacted against him.This resulted in the establishment of a new religious tradition.

If it hadn’t been for him, Christianity would almost certainly have remained a Jewish movement, and the path of history would almost certainly have been very different.It is possible that Christianity would not have overrun Europe if the Jews had accepted Jesus, and that Western civilisation as we know it would not have existed.The Reasons Why the Jews Were Rejected by the Government It is via JESUS that we learn the tale of this protracted, contentious and even fatal conflict between Christians and Jews.Overall, it is a very fascinating read that is well written and, in many respects, rather unique.

Despite the fact that it is written from a Jewish point of view, it is nevertheless profoundly sensitive to Christian sensitivities.This scholarly and fascinating book, published at a time when Christians and Jews are, in some respects, closer than they have ever been, offers a sincere effort to repair the old chasm that exists between these two major spiritual traditions.

If Jesus Was the Messiah, Why Did His People Reject Him?

However, even though there were a variety of causes contributing to the Jewish people’s rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, the most straightforward explanation is that they did not believe in Him because they did not want to believe.It is the same reason that the majority of people throughout history have rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah.Rather than expressing doubt, they just refuse to accept the truth of what has been spoken.It is not that individuals require further evidence; rather, it is that they fail to act on the evidence that they already possess.There was corrupt leadership in the time of Jesus.

When Jesus was alive, the religious leaders of the day were corrupt.Their spiritual state was reflected in their leadership, which was symptomatic of the status of the people.Despite the fact that the individuals followed the prescribed rites, their hearts were not in them as they should have been.Their interest in the truth of God was a non-issue for them.This is demonstrated by their disinterest in the truth in the story of Lazarus.The New Testament has several examples of religious leaders striving to suppress the revelation of God’s truth.

The story of Lazarus serves as an example.Lazarus had been dead for four days when Jesus appeared in the midst of the religious leaders and raised him from the grave in their presence.One would expect that such a miracle would at the very least compel people to consider Jesus as the Messiah, given that they had never witnessed anybody do such marvels in their own lives prior to Jesus.However, after much deliberation regarding what to do with Jesus, they came to the conclusion that He should be killed.Then, from that day on, they began plotting to have him killed (John 11:53).

Rather of instilling faith, it instilled a desire to rid themselves of Him.However, it was not simply Jesus who they wished to assassinate.Lazarus was still alive and well, serving as a real testament to the authority and credentials of Jesus.As a result, the religious authorities sought to put Lazarus to death as well!

In any case, the chief priests were advised that they may as well execute Lazarus, because he was responsible for many Jews abandoning their faith in Jesus and turning to him (John 12:10,11).Speaking to His followers, Jesus succinctly summarized the status of the people by saying, ″Seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, and understanding they do not comprehend″ (Matthew 13:13).Most of the people in Israel rejected Jesus because they did not want to believe in him, and this was the fundamental reason for their rejection.

  • During his ministry, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah.
  • When John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, pointed out Jesus as the promised Messiah, the world took notice.
  • The next day, when John looked up and saw Jesus approaching him, he exclaimed, ‘Behold!
  • The Lamb of God who wipes away the sin of the world!″ (See also John 1:29).
  • Jesus was plainly identified as the Messiah by John the Baptist.
  1. Despite this, we have a later tale of John being imprisoned by King Herod in Jerusalem.
  2. Afterwards, the Baptist sent two messengers to Jesus, asking Him if He was the Christ or if they should search elsewhere for the Messiah.
  3. Jesus responded in such a way that there was no doubt that He was the promised Messiah.
  4. Go back to John and tell him all you have witnessed and heard, including the fact that the blind have seen, the lame have walked, the lepers have been healed, the deaf have heard, the dead have been risen, and the impoverished have heard the gospel proclaimed to them (Luke 7:22).
  5. This message would have been comprehended by John without a doubt, because the signs Jesus was doing were evidence that he was the Messiah.
  6. What was the reason for John’s question?

But why did John raise the question in the first place?Was it possible that he had misunderstood Jesus?Was it possible that Jesus had let Him down?

Was it possible that John had lost his faith?If we assume that John had questions about Jesus’ identity or that he was suffering from some form of despair while in jail, we will come up with a poorer explanation.The conditions of the nation of Israel, it would appear, hold the key to the solution.When Jesus was born into the world, Rome was ruling over the Jewish people with an iron fist.

Many people in Palestine believed that the future kingdom, which had been prophesied in the Old Testament, would be established by a military takeover of the government.While proclaiming God’s kingdom had arrived, Jesus also stated that it would belong to the weak, rather than the powerful, who would inherit it.His ministry was characterized by kindness rather than judgment.

  • For God did not send his Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him (John 3:17).
  • This was a revolutionary message from Jesus, to say the least.
  • Rather of resisting, he urged them to go the additional mile, turn the other cheek, and surrender rather than fight.
  • The Messiah, according to John, would Those who did not believe were branded as ″brood of vipers″ by Judge John the Baptist, who proclaimed that the Messiah would exact retribution on them.
  • Is it true that no one has warned you to run from the wrath that is still to come?
  • As a result, yield fruit that is worthy of repentance, and do not conceive of yourself in terms of saying, ″We have Abraham as our father.″ For I assert to you that God is capable of raising offspring for Abraham out of the stones you see before you.
  • Now, in addition to the ax, the trees are being cut down to their roots.
  • So any tree that does not produce fruit is down and burned (Matthew 3:7-10).
  • John was most likely perplexed as to how the kingdom might be established in the manner that Jesus had specified.
  • His query includes the implication that Jesus was not moving at a fast enough pace to complete the task.
  • Jesus’ response suggests that the program was in progress, but that it was being carried out according to His schedule rather than John’s.
  • The day of retribution is still a long way off, but it will come for the unbelieving sooner or later.

It is preferable to see John’s question as one that is more concerned with the tactics of Jesus in building His kingdom, rather than as one that calls into doubt Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.He had the wrong expectations about what would happen.There’s also the question of what kind of Messiah they were hoping to see come.The aim of Jesus’ arrival was made very apparent by Matthew: She will give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus, because he will rescue his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).Summary Despite Jesus’ claims to be the anticipated Messiah, He was rejected by the majority of His people.

People’s hearts have become hardened in the face of the reality.In addition, he faced opposition from a corrupt church establishment that refused to accept his assertions.The guilt of the people, therefore, was the obstacle that prevented them from receiving Jesus as the Promised One.Despite the fact that John the Baptist designated Jesus as the Messiah, he sent two of his messengers to Jesus to inquire whether or not He was, in fact, the Messiah.Jesus was not going forward with the establishment of the kingdom in the way that John desired.Jesus informed the messengers that he was, in fact, the Messiah, but that he was not the kind that the majority of people were anticipating.

  • Rather than entering the world in order to destroy the reign of Rome, Jesus entered the world in order to offer his life as a sacrifice for sins.

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