Episode 114 - How Does A Church Stand With Israel? (featuring Pastor Jeremy Mercer)
How is it that today’s church can read a Bible rooted in Israel, focused on a Jewish Messiah, and authored by Jewish voices, yet somehow feel disconnected from the Jewish story?
Have we really allowed the narrative of God's chosen people to end 2,000 years ago, when in reality, it’s just getting good?
In this episode, "How Does A Church Stand With Israel?" we dig into the undeniable link between our faith and the ongoing story of Israel - a story still unfolding and intensifying in ways that truly demand our attention.
Episode 113 - Don’t Sit This One Out: Stand Like Esther With Your Vote
With division on every front, some believers are stepping back, declaring "Jesus 2024: Our Only Hope." While it's a powerful reminder to keep our eyes on Him, it’s simply not enough to watch from the sidelines. Our faith calls us to be active, engaged, and responsible in our world - not passive spectators. This episode dives into why Christians must participate in the democratic process, even when it feels intimidating or divisive.
Episode 112 - The Middle East Conflict & The Coming Kingdom
It’s a time of uncertainty, a time when the world seems increasingly divided, and the future is unpredictable.
For the Jewish people, the feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is a reminder of God's faithfulness in the wilderness. But how do we hold on to that ancient promise in the chaos of today’s world, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Israel?
This episode of The Jewish Road Podcast is about the deeper significance of Sukkot, the existential battle facing Israel, and how believers can respond in solidarity and prayer.
Episode 111 - Rituals and Reflections - What changed with Yom Kippur after the crucifixion, and why?
What if you waited your entire life, followed rituals painstakingly, prayed for atonement, but never really knew if you had been forgiven by God?
This is the reality for many in the Jewish community during Yom Kippur.
In this episode of The Jewish Road Podcast, we explore the Day of Atonement, looking into its significance for both Jews and Christians. We unpack the biblical roots of Yom Kippur, discuss its modern observance, and ask the critical question: if Jesus is the ultimate High Priest and the final atonement, what does that mean for us today?
Episode 110 - As Arab Israeli Who Loves The Jewish People? (featuring Robert “Ruby” Bishai)
Ruby Bishai, an Arab Israeli believer, shares his remarkable journey of reconciling his dual identity while fostering unity between Jews and Arabs. Through his ministry, Fields of Wheat, he mentors young believers and supports soldiers in Israel. Ruby's story speaks of hope, bridging cultural divides, and the promise of peace through faith in Messiah.
Episode 109 - The Weird Apostle (featuring Ryan Lambert)
Imagine discovering that one of the most influential figures in Biblical history may have been misunderstood for centuries. That’s the compelling problem Ryan Lambert tackles in his book, The Weird Apostle. As a Messianic Jew, Lambert challenges the traditional portrayal of the Apostle Paul, urging us to see Paul not as a renegade who sought to break away from Judaism, but as a devoted Jew who remained faithful to the Torah.
In our latest episode of The Jewish Road Podcast, Lambert shares his deep passion for building bridges between Christians and Jews, shining a new light on Paul's mission and his message.
Episode 64: The Road Half Traveled
Ever felt like you're missing a piece of the puzzle in your faith journey?
Or that there's more to the story of Jesus that remains unexplored?
Or, as a Jew, have you grappled with the idea of embracing Jesus, feeling it might mean forsaking your cherished heritage?
If this hits home for you, then this episode of The Jewish Road Podcast has your name on it.
In "The Road Half Traveled," we invite you on an extraordinary journey that goes beyond the typical narratives heard in Sunday school or synagogue. As Messianic Jews ourselves, we're standing at the fascinating intersection of faith where Jewish tradition and Christian understanding meet.
Picture it as a two-act play, with Jewish and Christian communities each attending a different act and missing the full performance. We're here to guide you through the entire show, revealing the profound links between Act One and Two, the Old and New Testaments.
We tackle real struggles, like challenging dialogues with Jews intrigued about Jesus but anxious about losing their identity, or Christians seeking to uncover the Jewish roots of their faith but unsure where to start.
So, whether you're a Christian keen to dive deeper into your faith's roots or a Jew wrestling with your view of Jesus, join us in this down-to-earth conversation. It's time to journey down the full length of The Jewish Road and unveil the captivating story that unites us all.
Are you ready? Pop in those earbuds, and let's journey on "The Road Half Traveled" together.
Episode 63: Merging Mourning With Hope
Did you know that both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem - central to Jewish faith and history - were destroyed on the exact same day, centuries apart? It's as if time stood still to mark a profound period of loss and mourning for the Jewish people.
To put this in perspective, imagine if another event of the magnitude of September 11th happened again on the same date, but centuries later. The sheer coincidence would be staggering, wouldn't it? This is the reality of Tisha B'Av, a day of deep mourning in Judaism.
But Tisha B'Av is not just about the past, it's also about resilience and hope for a better future.
Episode 62: The Church: God’s Commissioned People
In this third and final episode in our “Two Chosen People” series, we journey into understanding the role and identity of God's Commissioned People – the Church.
As we have previously explored, God's chosen ones are two distinct, yet intimately connected groups – the Covenant People (Jews) and the Commissioned People (the Church made up of Jews and Gentiles). After having looked into the unique journey of the Covenant People in our last episode, it's time to unpack the complexities of the Commissioned People – the Church.
From its birth at Shavuot, or Pentecost, the Church was initially entirely Jewish. Yet, it evolved, expanding to welcome the Gentiles, or the Nations, and turning into a vibrant blend of Jews and Gentiles. Paul's metaphor of Gentiles being grafted into Israel's tree beautifully illustrates this unity in diversity.
In this episode, we explore the divine calling of the Church – its mission to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations, beginning with the Jewish people and extending to every corner of the globe. This divine commissioning is not just a task or responsibility, but a significant part of the Church's identity.
We also look into the implications of this divine commission, the struggles, and triumphs, the challenges, and victories experienced by the Church in carrying out this mission.
Join us as we celebrate this “Unprecedented Union” and God's plan for unity and mutual enrichment. Together, we look at how our roots intertwine and the wondrous ways God uses His Commissioned People to accomplish His divine will.
Episode 61: Israel: God’s Covenant People
Genesis 12:1-3 — The verses that marked the start of an extraordinary covenant.
Not by number, not by strength, but by divine decree – Israel, God's Covenant People.
This episode unfolds the story of Israel, a nation marked by faith, struggle, and divine covenants. But what makes them 'God's Chosen People'? What does 'chosenness' mean, and why Israel?
We start with a journey back in time, back to the genesis of the nation of Israel. We touch upon the pivotal figure of Abraham, his extraordinary faith, and the divine promise that would forever change the course of history. As we trace the lineage of Abraham to the twelve tribes of Israel, we examine the covenant, its implications, its conditionalities, and its everlasting nature.
Listen to our latest podcast episode, "Israel: God's Covenant People," as we continue the exploration of the question, "Are There Really Two Chosen People?"
Episode 60: Two Chosen People: An Unprecedented Union
In this series, we unveil a truth that might shatter your previous understanding: There are not one, but two chosen people of God! Now, stay with us as we unpack this concept of God's Covenant People and Commissioned People.
For centuries, we've believed that the Jewish people alone held the title of God's chosen people. And yes, they still do! But here's where we have to take a deep dive: God's chosen people also include the Commissioned People, which encompasses both Jews and Gentiles.