Messianic Saltshakers

(Sensitively Sharing Messiah)

Though much of our ministry is talking to Jewish people about Yeshua, it is a great delight to encourage other believers in their witness to their Jewish friends, family and acquaintances.

A Personal Issue

As missions chairperson for a large congregation in a very significant Jewish community, Dr. Olive* had called Word of Messiah Ministries’ office to invite me to come and teach the congregation about sharing Messiah with their Jewish friends. I mentioned I would be delighted to help. She then said, “Sam, it’s a very personal issue for me. I have a Jewish acquaintance that I’ve worked with for about a week. During that time, she went from being decidedly uninterested and quite negative to being open and responsive enough to pray with me and others. By the end of the week, she even accepted some messianic materials and a Bible, telling me that a relative of hers had become a believer!”

Next Step!

“That’s great, Olive, just great!” I said, thrilled to know of this person’s faithful witness. “Really Sam?” Dr. Olive replied. “Another believer said I didn’t go far enough and that I should have been much more direct. Now I feel guilty about the whole thing. What do you really think?”  “Olive, you did great! I think you’re ready for the next step.” “What’s that, Sam?” she asked.

Redeem the Time

“Since your Jewish acquaintance was willing to accept the materials, I think you could invite her to coffee or lunch and discuss the materials with her. The idea is to build a friendship and relationship with this person. Remember, your job is not to “redeem her soul,” only God can do that (Psalm 49:15). Your job is to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:17) and you do that as Paul wrote in Colossians 4:5-6, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” “How exactly does that work?” She asked slowly – I could hear her taking notes from what I was saying.

Evaluate the Response

“Olive, you are to “redeem the time” by “making the most of the opportunity” that you’ve been given at that time. As you discuss the issues with her remember, give just a little bit more, so you can ongoingly and carefully evaluate the response of the person “that you will know how you will respond to each person” That is evaluate whether to share more at that time or to wait for another opportunity. So, your job as such is to build a relationship and discuss the spiritual issues or questions for her.

Additionally, you can ask her about any upcoming celebrations she will be involved in (i.e. Passover)!

Season the Conversation

As you see her involvement in the discussion you can always ‘season’ the conversation with the grace of God you have in Messiah.”

I was thankful to God for the opportunity to encourage this faithful believer in her witness. What a joy to not only be a witness for the Lord, but to encourage and train up another witness to bring the message of Messiah to the Jew first! (Name changed to protect the individual’s privacy)