OPINION:
Sibling rivalry is a common issue among brothers and sisters. It’s characterized by competition and arguments that manifest in various ways.
Subscribe to have The Washington Times’ Higher Ground delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
In my case, I (Leslie) thought it was my duty to impose correct behavior on my younger and mischievous brother. He fought against my “do as I say,” domineering attitude. Our interactions were primarily confrontational. As a result, our relationship lacked the necessary support and love to grow together as family and reflect God’s character.
In the early Church, another type of controversy existed in the family between Gentile and Jewish believers in Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. Some Jewish believers claimed that Gentile believers had to be circumcised to be accepted into the faith. Paul, Barnabas, and others brought this dispute to the Jerusalem Council for consideration (Acts 15).
The assembly resolved that Gentile believers weren’t bound by the Jewish rite of circumcision or the ritual laws. In his letters, Paul explained that Gentile believers had a covenant relationship with God through their faith in Messiah/Christ. Physical circumcision is an outward sign of God’s covenant with Israel, but true circumcision is a matter of the heart by the Spirit, not by the law. While Gentiles once were excluded from the “commonwealth” (or citizenship) of Israel with no rights to its covenants, they are now fellow heirs with their Jewish brethren through the gospel of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6).
God provided redemption in Messiah/Christ for all humanity. His salvation plan began with the Jewish people and was extended to the nations, the Gentiles. The allegory of the olive tree in Romans 11:13-24 beautifully illustrates the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God’s kingdom. Paul explained that the olive tree represents the citizenship (commonwealth) of Israel, from whose roots are the covenants made with the patriarchs or fathers of Israel. The tree’s original, natural branches are Jewish believers, known as the remnant or later as Messianic believers. However, some natural branches representing Jews who have rejected the Messiah, are broken off. Gentile believers from every tribe and tongue are wild olive shoots grafted into the cultivated tree through faith. Grafting is a technique used to join one branch to another, forming a union where they grow together as one. In this way, Jewish and Gentile believers are unified as one in the body of Messiah/Christ, creating “One New Man” and putting to death the hostility between them, bringing peace (Ephesians 2:15).
At least that’s the goal.
In John 17, Jesus/Yeshua emphasized the importance of unity among His followers. He prayed that they come together as one, just as He and the Father are one. His prayer was that the love of the Father would permeate His followers so that the world will believe that God sent Him. This unity of believers creates a dwelling place for God and mirrors His love for the world.
Fast forward to the present day, the “One New Man” is sadly divided.
The Church and Messianic congregations are disconnected, which also applies to the larger Church body. A history of antisemitism, including replacement theology, has been resident in the Church toward the Jewish people. Jewish believers have been prone to trauma associated with antisemitism, rejection and the fear of assimilation so prevalent throughout Church history. The fractured family is not functioning as God planned. The challenges to find a way forward – fear, pride, complacency, or unawareness about the issues – keep them apart.
Additionally, there is a concern that each group will try to enforce their cultural and faith practices on the other. It’s essential to understand that unity does not mean conformity – each group has a distinctive role to play in the Kingdom. Messianic Congregations have the freedom to practice Jewish life and traditions, and the Gentile Church has the same freedom. The key to unity is to embrace the all-encompassing love of the Father. With love and humility, the community of faith can heal hearts by putting aside offenses, bitterness, and pain, starting with Jewish and Gentile believers and extending to other divisions in the Church. The family of God can overcome divisions through forgiveness, honor, and respect.
As the body grows together, it is infused with power to fulfill its God-given role. It is the pure and spotless bride, preparing for the reign of the Messianic kingdom when Jesus/Yeshua returns. However, the bride is not complete without the Jewish people. In the olive tree allegory of Romans 11, the broken-off branches signify the Jews, ethnic Israel, who have not believed in Yeshua/Jesus. But God promised that Israel would be restored into the tree for “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:29) in the last days, meaning all those who put their faith in Jesus/Yeshua. The body cannot come into their inheritance until Israel is restored, a fundamental revelation it must grasp.
The Church in the nations has a responsibility to fervently pray and seek reconciliation, thus bearing witness to God’s love, power, and glory to the world. In the way I reconciled with my brother after years of strife, the Church must do the same with Israel’s remnant (Jewish believers). As image bearers of God, the unified Church must reflect God’s love to the nations and Israel for the advancement of His kingdom. May the family awaken so the bride of Christ/Messiah may be complete and ready for the return of our Lord.
–
Leslie Crincoli and Grant Berry. To listen to Grant’s podcast on “Jewish and Gentile Branch Coming Back Together,” please click here. For more information about the FREE R911 Project teaching series, please click here.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.