"If they believe, we're here as their friends. And if they don't believe, we're still here as their friends."

So I'm sitting in Dunn bros, sipping on decaf coffee... I was up from 5-12, most of that working, and then I slept till 3. Sleep felt good. I realize that I probably am a little more prone to rant in my blogs, and so I had the option of picking two articles today I want to write on, one basically about the sexual brokenness of society, and another on Jesus and Judaism (click the title for full article), both appearing in the Star Trib on different days. I decided maybe instead of picking a dark, but very real topic, I would write on the beautiful article on Jesus and Judaism.

I was fascinated as I read this article about a Messianic congregation in St. Louis Park. Messianic simply they are people who are Jews who believe Jesus is the fulfillment of messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. The article was fascinating. I guess the main reason I was captivated by it was because of the simple truth that bled through the whole article - Jesus IS the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecy, and the Old Testament points to and foreshadows the coming of Jesus. He complete the Old Testament.

Their worship service has been contextualized to their culture. Many elements, both from the Old and New Testament, are used.

The best part of this article was the wisdom of the pastor (rabbie). Check out this quote:

"The Jewish community gets very upset with anyone who tries to win over Jesus to Jesus," said Markell, founder of Olive Tree Ministry, a Bible-based educational outreach program based in Maple Grove. (The Rabbi) Rothman agrees. "If they believe, we're here as their friends," he said. "And if they don't believe, we're still here as their friends."

Later in the article, Rothman says, "The thing that a lot of Jews are worried about is that we're trying to convert their people, and we're not. Jews for Jesus is a very assertive missionary group . We're invited their speakers to talk to us when they're in town. But that sort of in-your-face approach doesn't work here. We've found that friendship is the best form of evangelism."

Showing the unconditional love of Jesus is foundational to who we are as Christ-followers. People will see past the facad if our only concern for them is their conversion, and that is the sole basis of our friendship. But if people see that you will love them no matter what, no matter who, this speaks of the unconditional love of Jesus. Jesus loved us while we were still in sin.