The Family of God

I am moved by Asher Intrater's blog today. Asher is one of several leaders of Messianic communities in Israel. Today's blog is entitled "An Acts Two Congregation." I was struck by the fact that he is writing from Israel much the same thing I have been writing here in Colorado. That is an encouragement, to realize that the God of Israel is calling believers from here to Jerusalem to return to the model in Scripture for our gatherings. Asher writes, "The re-establishment of a Messianic community in Jerusalem is part of God's purpose in these end times as we approach Yeshua's return to Jerusalem." How thrilling to think about the Jewish people whose eyes are being opened to their Messiah, and who are preparing for His return right at their doorstep!

Asher mentions several things they have been convicted to follow as they form communities. For me, his most profound and important statement was this: "How much Jewish tradition to be included in our congregations is a hotly debated subject among Messianic Jews. People tend toward polemic reactions, totally for or against. But the biblical New Covenant view is one of balance." Amen! It is this balance we should all be seeking as we are restored to our Hebrew roots, desiring to keep the Torah, yet clinging to the blood of our Messiah Yeshua for grace and salvation.

Asher also notes that there is strong spiritual opposition to proclaiming Yeshua's name in Israel. "But He will always be the center of our message: Yeshua of Nazareth (Acts 2:22), this Yeshua whom you crucified (2:36), in the name of Yeshua (2:38)." If we keep everything focused on Him - learning to understand the culture of His time and the commandments and feast days (moedim) that He kept - and yet still invite and welcome those from all backgrounds to come learn with us, we will indeed be keeping the Acts 2 model. The Acts Two congregation started with a core of 120 local disciples; but to them were added 3,000, who were mostly immigrants, "devout men from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5).

As I have been pointing out, we need to move away from the idea of a formal "assembly or congregation," and instead become family as we see modeled in John 19:26-27 and Mark 3:33-35. A family or community does not operate with one or two people lording it over everybody else. Asher writes, "The early disciples lived their lives in complete partnership. They saw everything, material and spiritual, as a common possession. They did not 'attend an assembly,' they participated as a community, a family." I agree. A family is a group of kindred spirits, willing to share what they have, and be fully present to one another in worship, in prayer, in fellowship, in life and in death.

This past week we lost one of our own brothers at David's Tent. Don and his wife Sandy are greatly loved by us all. But Don suffered a massive stroke a little over a week ago, and all our lives have been impacted by this sudden tragedy. Like all families in such a situation, we all wanted to know what we could do to help while Don lay unconscious in a hospital room and Sandy sat at his side. As it turns out, all she needed was for some of us to sit beside her - and all of us to pray for them. It was a blessing to be a part of Don's holy journey to be with the LORD. He left us last night to receive his Sabbath Rest. We rejoice for him and grieve with Sandy. We are a family.

While Messianic Jewish congregations in Israel are learning to operate in covenantal relationships, we should be too. As we look toward Messiah's return, we must be about the work of restoration with our brother Judah. This means creating the balance of Spirit and Truth (Holy Spirit Power and Torah) that Yeshua spoke to us about in John 4:23. These are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks! As Asher notes, "We must learn to trust one another, communicate with one another, confront sin in love, submit to authority, and commit ourselves to long-term relationships." Imagine if we really did this! I could envision an end to all the disputes, divisions, and discord. I could peer into the future and see the Family of Yahweh streaming into the Kingdom through the 12 gates on which are written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12). A family once divided - now restored as one again!