Spiritually Jewish like my Savior!
Have you ever noticed that when you tell someone that you keep Yahweh’s Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) and His Holy Days (see Leviticus 23), a person’s first response is “Are you Jewish?”. Your first inclination may be to say, “No I am not Jewish”. But maybe the correct answer to that question is “Yes, I am Jewish like my Savior!” With that in mind, let us search the Scriptures to see why we are Jewish like our Savior!
Did you know that Yah’shua (1) was a Jew from the tribe of Judah? The Old Testament shows us that a Jew is someone from the Kingdom of Judah (Juda) or sometimes called the Southern Kingdom. The Kingdom of Judah, or “Jews”, were mainly from the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Benjamin, and those Levites living in the boundary of the Southern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom was created when Israel split into two kingdoms, including the Northern Kingdom that consisted of the other 10 tribes of Israel. As a side note, the New Testament sometimes broadens the meaning of “Jews” to include the 12 tribes of Israel (see Romans 3:29 and 10:12, 1 Corinthians 1:23, and Galatians 3:28).
Hebrew 7:14 For it is evident that our Sovereign sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Messiah should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
And as we see in Revelation 5:5 and other Scriptures, Yah’shua was a descendant from the lineage of David, who was from the tribe of Judah (see Matthew 1:2-6 and Ruth 1:1 and 4:7).
Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Yah’shua Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew 9:27 And when Yah’shua departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
(1) Yah’shua is Messiah’s name while a man on this earth. See Zechariah 3:1-9, 6:11-13, Isaiah 4:2, 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5-6 and 33:15-16. For more information on the name of Messiah while a man on this earth, please read “Names and Titles”.
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Yah’shua Messiah of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my evangel:
Not only was Yah’shua a Jew from the tribe of Judah and a descendant from the lineage of David, Messiah was a Jewish Rabbi.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of Yahweh; thou art the King of Israel.
John 1:38 Then Yah’shua turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, teacher,) where dwellest thou?
John 3:2 The same came to Yah’shua by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from Elohim: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except Elohim be with him.
John 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Yah’shua was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Yah’shua. 25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
And our Jewish Rabbi, Yah’shua, from the tribe of Judah, observed Yahweh’s seventh-day Sabbath!
Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he (Yah’shua) entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he (Yah’shua) began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Luke 4:16 And he (Yah’shua) came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Luke 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he (Yah’shua) entered into the synagogue and taught:
The Sabbath is a day of rest that Yahweh sanctified (i.e. set apart). It is Yahweh’s Sabbath instituted since the foundation of the world. It is a perpetual covenant and sign between Yahweh and His people. It is also Yahweh’s Fourth Commandment. For more information on Yahweh’s Sabbath, please read “The Fourth Commandment”.
Not only did our Jewish Rabbi, Yah’shua, from the tribe of Judah keep Yahweh’s Sabbath, He also kept Yahweh’s Holy Days including Passover, Unleavened Bread, Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.
John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Yah’shua went up to Jerusalem.
This feast is either for Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, or Tabernacles/Last Great Day, which were the three times that Israelites went up to Jerusalem.
Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Yah’shua, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Yah’shua not only kept Passover, He told us to keep Passover in remembrance of Him, eating and drinking the symbolic meal, to remember His sacrifice and the New Covenant.
Luke 22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Sovereign that which also I delivered unto you, That the Sovereign Yah’shua the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Sovereign’s death till he come.
And not only did Yah’shua keep Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, He kept the Feast of Tabernacles:
John 7:1 After these things Yah’shua walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.
8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
14 Now about the midst of the feast Yah’shua went up into the temple, and taught.
And lastly, Yah’shua kept the Last Great Day of the Feast!
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yah’shua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
And like Yahweh’s weekly Sabbath, the Holy Days listed in Leviticus 23 are Yahweh’s Holy Days and are a covenant and sign between the All Mighty and His saints.
Leviticus 23:1 And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of Yahweh, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of Yahweh in all your dwellings.
And if you understand that the Yahweh who spoke and was seen in the Old Testament was Messiah, then the quote of Yahweh speaking to Moses, saying “these are my feasts”, takes on more meaning for believers. For more information on Messiah being the Yahweh who spoke and was seen in the Old Testament please read “The Great Riddle”.
Yah’shua was not only a Jew from the tribe of Judah, a Jewish Rabbi who kept Yahweh’s Sabbath and Holy Days; He is the King of the Jews!
Matthew 2:1 Now when Yah’shua was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 27:11 And Yah’shua stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Yah’shua said unto him, Thou sayest.
Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS YAH’SHUA THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
John 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Yah’shua in the midst. 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the stake. And the writing was, YAH’SHUA OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And we know that during the 1,000-year reign of Messiah on this earth, He will be our King (of Kings).
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of Yahweh. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Yahweh. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND SOVEREIGN OF SOVEREIGNS.
Zechariah 14:8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And Yahweh shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be — “Yahweh is one,” And His name one. (NKJ)
Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Clearly Yah’shua is a Jew from the tribe of Judah, a Jewish Rabbi, the King of the Jews, who observed Yahweh’s Seventh-Day Sabbath and His Holy Days. Did you know that Scripture tells us that Messiah is the same, yesterday, today and forever?
Hebrews 13:8 Yahweh Messiah the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Since Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we might pause to ask ourselves who are we actually following…the Jewish Rabbi of the Scriptures or a counterfeit a/k/a Jesus who does not have a Jewish name and does not keep Yahweh’s Sabbath and Holy Days? Are we emulating our Savior by following His example as Scriptures tell us?
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Yahweh perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Messiah. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Messiah; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Messiah is Yahweh.
Or are we unquestioningly following our own traditions and man-made religious doctrines?
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Yahweh, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Messiah: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah.
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Sovereign said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Of course some will say that they are not blood-line Jews or Israelites, so Yahweh’s Sabbath and Holy Days don’t apply to them. Or they may say that Yah’shua’s death, burial, and resurrection have fulfilled the law, making the law obsolete.
So if we are not Jewish by blood-line, how can we be Jewish like our Savior? Paul clearly writes that if we keep the righteousness of the law inwardly, we are also Jews inwardly.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Yahweh.
In fact the question becomes “Who is a Jew or in a broader sense, an Israelite?” In the Old Testament Jews were not only those born from the seed of an Israelite but included those who kept Yahweh’s commandments.
Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Numbers 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto Yahweh; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to Yahweh, speak, saying, Yahweh hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith Yahweh unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to Yahweh, to serve him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Did you know that of the twelve tribes of Israel, two were not full blood-line Israelites? Both the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were the descendants of Joseph and his Egyptian-priestess wife Asenath.
Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For Elohim, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For Elohim hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Yahweh’s people have always been those who obey Him. Prior to Jacob, there was no Jew or Israelite. Selah (i.e. think about it). Although we might not be physically “Jews” or “Israelites”, we are “spiritually” “Jews” and “Israelites”.
Galatians 6:15 For in Messiah YahwehShua neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of Yahweh.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that Yahweh is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
We have already seen in Paul’s letter to the Romans that we are Jewish inwardly if we obey Yahweh. Paul goes on to write in Romans that the children of promise (i.e. believers who obey Yahweh) are Israel and that gentile believers who obey Yahweh have been grafted into the olive tree (i.e. Israel).
Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of Yahweh hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Yahweh: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree.
The Olive tree represents Israel in the Scriptures. The wild Olive tree represents Gentiles. In Romans 11:17, the Apostle Paul clearly states that the Gentiles are grafted into the root and fatness of the Olive tree (i.e. Israel).
And it makes sense that when the apostle Paul and the prophet Isaiah state that all of Israel shall be saved, they are talking about “spiritual” Israel. The definition of the Hebrew word “Israel” (#3478) is “Yahweh prevails” or “He will rule as Yahweh” (Strong’s Concordance). The meaning of the word “Israel” is about Yahweh and His people, not blood-line Israel!
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away unrighteousness from Jacob:
Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in Yahweh with an everlasting salvation:
And we see in Yahweh’s word, the interchanging of the words Saints, Israel, and Children of Zion.
Psalm 149:1 Praise ye Yahweh. Sing unto Yahweh a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For Yahweh taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Therefore all believers in this age have become part of “spiritual” Israel. And being “spiritual” Israel, we are now under a new covenant built upon the old covenant. This new covenant did not abolish the old covenant but modified it by putting Yahweh’s law in our hearts and minds.
Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yahweh: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.
Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he (Messiah) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith Yahweh. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Yahweh; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a Elohim, and they shall be to me a people:
Hebrew 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of Yahweh; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
And as we can see through Scriptures, Yah’shua’s death, burial, and resurrection did not fulfill the law by making the law obsolete. Yah’shua’s death, burial, and resurrection confirmed the law. Yes, there were some changes made to the law based on Yah’shua’s death, burial, and resurrection. These changes had to do with the Levitical Priesthood and sacrificial system. Most of the law, including Yahweh’s Sabbath and Holy Days, did not change.
The apostle Paul tells us that the law is spiritual and is necessary until the new Heavens and Earth. So why on earth would anyone believe that Yahweh’s Sabbath and Holy Days have been abolished?
Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? Yahweh forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Psalm 19:7 The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
In fact, Yahweh’s law under the new covenant has not only been put into our hearts and minds, it has been magnified!!!
Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Isaiah 42:21 Yahweh is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
We conclude that Yah’shua was a Jew from the tribe of Judah. He was a Jewish Rabbi who kept Yahweh’s seventh-day Sabbath and His Holy Days. He is the King of the Jews, including those “spiritual” Jews who obey Yahweh’s law in their hearts and minds under the new covenant. Yah’shua was sent as an example for us so we should walk as He walked.
With all the Scriptural evidence presented, shouldn’t we emulate what Messiah did on this earth including keeping Yahweh’s Sabbath and His Holy Days and be spiritually Jewish like our Savior?
HalleluYah
(10/13c)