The founder of Jews for Jesus died Wednesday, leaving behind a pre-written
message to members of the ministry.
In the letter posted on the Jews for Jesus website after his death, Moishe
Rosen encouraged members of Jews for Jesus to stay with the ministry, especially
as they “stand on the edge of a breakthrough in Jewish evangelism.”
“Just a little more. Just another push. Just another soul - and we will
have reached critical mass where we begin generating that energy that the whole
world might know the Lord,” wrote Rosen, who was 78 when he died Wednesday after a protracted battle with prostate cancer.
In his final remarks, Rosen expressed how concerned he was by the support some believers were giving to the efforts of rabbis “who, frankly, not only don't know Christ, but don't want to know Him.”
“I would urge you to think very seriously before you support any ‘ministry’ that involves Jewish people and doesn't actually bring the gospel to the Jews,” wrote Rosen to Jews for Jesus members.
He also expressed his disappointment in Jesus-believing Jews who “feel
that their primary purpose is to promote Jewishness and Judaism to the
Jews.”
“I hope I can count on you to show love and respect for the Jewish people, but Jewishness never saved anybody,” Rosen stated. “Judaism never saved anybody no matter how sincere. “ Though Rosen also made clear his disagreement with some of the decisions made by the leadership of his own organization after he stepped down as executive director in 1996, he said the core of what the ministry stands for is still central.
Jews for Jesus is one of the few Trinitarian ministries that proclaimed Christ to the Jews. Many "messianic" groups deny the God of Scripture and the Gospel.
I knew him from online and had the opportunity to speak with him on various occassions. He believe in the Doctrines of Grace. One thing I remember him saying was how short term missionaries often cause greater burden to long term missionaries so he didn't support that notion. I found this interesting and challenging and I think there's some merit to it. It takes a lot of work to host people who will only be around for a few weeks. And I think short term missions can actually be more like using serious missionaries for one's own reasons rather than to be of service. Anyway, its a challenging thought to consider.
We'll miss Moishe and are happy he is with the Lord, no longer suffering in his decayed tent. May the Lord comfor his family while they rejoice at his home-going.
Another news article is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment