The Yatbil

The Yatbil…

When, as a young person, I first started reading the New Testament, I had a hard time with John the Baptist. It was like reading about Richard the Presbyterian, or Norman the Methodist.  I pictured him clean-shaven, short hair, with a robe.

The truth is very different. He was hairy, bearded, wild looking, and spoke Hebrew. He was called ‘Yochanan Ha Matbil’; Yochanan the immerser. He was a Nazarite; dedicated to God according to the scriptures, a priest, a son of Aaron, and he was Jewish.

John the Baptist stands as a symbol of the Gospel and salvation. To the Jew, it seems totally un-Jewish. To most Christians, it seems totally un-Jewish. In reality, it’s the most Jewish thing in the world.

When you really get to know Jesus, you realize how Jewish it is. If you have the Jewish Jesus in your heart, you’re Jewish in spirit. Get to know who He really is.

Rejoice in your Jewish roots, bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem because true Christianity is as Jewish as John the Baptist.

A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people but from God.  Romans 2:28-29

Meditate on this – In Jesus, you are a child of Israel, totally Jewish, live as one who is of God’s chosen people, His royal, holy priesthood.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed