Sharing the Desperate Need for Messiah

It seems that some people don’t realize the critical nature of their spiritual situation.

Avram* was going to let me down easy. He wanted to meet with me again, but this time to tell me why he would not accept ‘my faith’ in Yeshua. After some small talk, he said, “Sam, I really enjoyed coming to your services and reading the materials you gave me. But I have to be honest with you – I still don’t get that ‘feeling’ I’m looking for. I want a faith that doesn’t require me to give up the things I enjoy. At your service,” he continued, “I was sitting next to a Jewish believer on one side and a Gentile on the other: both smiling and wanting to pray for me, I’m just not used to that!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Avram, let me see if I get what you’re saying. You can’t believe in Yeshua because people are too friendly, and you don’t want to surrender your life to God. right?”

“Yeah, basically,” Avram said. Then slowly added, I guess it sounds sort of superficial to you, huh?”

“Well, Avram, it depends on how you’re looking at it”, I responded. “If you’re looking for a new club to join then maybe you’re right: if it’s not your style, fine. But Avram, the Scripture presents the situation differently. You’re a drowning man because of your sins, and God is trying to throw you a “life preserver”, Yeshua the Messiah. And you’re almost gone, but you don’t like the style of the life preserver, so you’re not going to accept it! Avram, Messiah is the only opportunity you have for salvation and life. There is no other way to be saved than by trusting in Yeshua. Just because Gentiles have also grabbed that same life preserver doesn’t invalidate it for Jewish people.”

Avram sat there thinking about it. He then said, “Sam, I once had a boss who tried to make me sell inferior goods to a client and make the client take the loss. I wouldn’t do it. I told him he had to take the loss, not the client. Do you see what I mean?”

“Avram” I responded with a smile, “of course I do – and I think it may be plain arrogance.”

“Arrogance? Me?” he responded. “How am I arrogant?” He responded as if “arrogant” meant “unfriendly”: Avram was a salesman and was always friendly.

“Avram, you think God is like your boss and is trying to force His losses on you for His own gain. In fact, God has taken all your losses upon Himself in Messiah’s atonement. Messiah died for all your sins, and God is graciously offering you a free gift of salvation. In light of His gracious offer, Avram, your response is arrogance.”  He sat there silently, almost stunned for a moment. “Perhaps, Sam, we need to meet some more; can I give you a call next week?”

“Sure Avram, I’d be happy to; anytime is fine” I assured him. As I left, I thought how many of my people just don’t understand how desperate their spiritual situations really are. How important it is that we continue to pray and reach out to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.

Please pray for Avram and for all Jewish people; the situation is desperate, even hopeless without faith in Messiah Yeshua. But there is a remnant according to grace and God is able (Romans 11:5, 23), so let’s keep praying and proclaiming the Good News of Messiah!

*(Name changed to protect Individual’s privacy)