Why should a Jewish person consider becoming a Christian?

TL;DR

Jews should consider becoming Christian because their own Hebrew Scriptures point to Jesus as the Messiah. Salvation will never come through the law or works but through faith in Christ.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jews should consider becoming Christian because their own Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), which corresponds to the Protestant Old Testament, contains prophecies that point to the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life. The Old Testament contains prophecies about the tribe Jesus would be born into, His place of birth, His manner of death, and other details concerning His treatment (Genesis 49:10; Micah 5:2; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). The New Testament relates Jesus’ birth, three-year ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Gospels include details that align to the Old Testament prophecies—far too many to be coincidental (Matthew 1; Luke 2:4-7; Mark 15:24; John 19:24). The apostle Paul, a Jewish Christian, lamented that the Jewish people did not accept Christ (Romans 10:1-4). Jews today are still awaiting the Messiah, but He has already come, and their own Scriptures testify to it. They no longer have to be tied to a works-based righteousness that human beings can never satisfy; they can place their faith in Christ and be covered by His righteousness (Romans 3:21-22; Philippians 3:8-9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Researchers have noted more than three unique prophecies concerning the Messiah in the Hebrew Bible that have been fulfilled in Jesus. For example, Genesis 49:10 predicts that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah, which Jesus did: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

The Jewish prophet Micah predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem: "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2). Jesus was born there.

Psalm 22 provides a compelling picture of what would take place at Jesus’ crucifixion. For example, verses 7-8 say, "All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 'He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!'" Those who watched Jesus on the cross uttered these same accusations (see Matthew 27:41-44). Psalm 22:16 specifically refers to the nails that held Jesus to the cross, and verse 18 prophesies that evildoers would cast lots to see who would get Jesus’ clothing. All this occurred.

Isaiah 53 offers perhaps the strongest account from the Hebrew Bible that Jesus is the Messiah, the Suffering Servant. Verse 5, for example, notes, "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." Jesus was nailed ("pierced") to the cross in our place, paying the penalty for our sins. His wounds bring us healing because His sacrifice provides the opportunity for eternal life for those who believe in Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The genealogies in Matthew and Luke show Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1; Luke 3:23-38), as prophesied in the Old Testament.

Coinciding with the Micah 5:2 prophecy, Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7).

The gospels confirm that Jesus was crucified just as had been foretold (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18).

As Psalm 22 prophesied, lots were cast for Jesus’ clothes (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

About sixty seconds—that’s all it takes for a salesman to give an “elevator pitch” about his company’s product. A Christian’s elevator pitch to a Jewish person about salvation might be something like this: Prophecies in the Hebrew Bible point to Jesus as the Messiah. Salvation through works can never be achieved. Place your faith in Jesus to be forgiven of sins, covered in His righteousness, and assured of eternal life.

Unlike turning down the sales pitch for a refrigerator or running shoes, the stakes of not accepting the Gospel pitch are much higher: eternity in heaven or eternity separated from God’s goodness. That’s why it’s so important for Christians to share the Gospel with Jews we encounter. The pull of tradition and culture in the Jewish community may be strong, so Christians may be faced with skepticism and even hostility. But not sharing the good news of Christ would be akin to not throwing a life vest to a drowning person.

Ultimately, it isn’t the skill of our pitch that will change a Jew’s heart. To use Paul’s metaphor, one Christian can plant and another can water, but God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

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UNDERSTAND

The Hebrew Scriptures clearly point to Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Salvation comes through faith in Christ, not through the l aw or works.

Jesus fulfills God’s redemptive plan foretold in the Old Testament.

REFLECT

How does knowing that Jesus fulfilled prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures challenge you in your understanding of Him as the true Messiah?

What does it mean for faith that salvation depends on Christ’s righteousness rather than your own works?

How can you grow in your understanding of how the Old Testament points to Jesus and deepens your relationship with Him?

ENGAGE

How do the fulfilled Old Testament prophecies provide evidence that Jesus is the Messiah foretold to Israel?

How can Christians respectfully share the truth of Jesus as Messiah with Jewish friends or family members?

How does understanding the connection between the Old and New Testaments help us see God’s redemptive plan as one continuous story?