Change Your Image
bradlburge
Reviews
Awakening (2012)
A lively and well done introduction to the Awakening campaign
Jews For Jesus, as their name indicates, is a group of Jewish people (with support from non- Jewish people) sharing the fact that Jesus is the Messiah with Jewish people. They have about twenty branches around the world. JFJ has every earthly reason to be indirect, but they aren't. For heavenly reasons, they purposely keep things right up front. Even in the streets of New York City.
That's what they've been doing since 1974 and that's what they'll be doing this summer. The JFJ annual Summer Witnessing Campaign will hit the streets and subways of NYC in July. For 2012, the campaign title is Awakening. With passionately committed and courageous young people (and some not so young), JFJ will make Y'shua (Jesus) the Messiah an unavoidable topic of discussion to as many people as possible.
There are roughly two million Jewish people living in NYC, making it the most diverse and highest Jewish population of any city in the world. JFJ is taking the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord to these Jewish people and also to the non-Jewish. NYC is likely the most challenging and opinionated environment for Jewish evangelism, other than Israel.
Some organizations exist to funnel money to Jewish people, but exclude the gospel of the Messiah. JFJ makes the messiahship of Jesus the highest priority message, mode and method. They know that the best help to offer anyone is to help them to be reconciled to the Messiah. JFJ excels at doing that highest good for the Jewish people.
Awakening is a creative campaign involving literature, music, drama, secular media outreach and social media evangelism. The Awakening video is a lively, well done introduction to the Awakening campaign where they will display their theme on their t-shirts and openly ask the all-important question, "Who is He?" The Awakening video is an inspiring look at their valiant effort to communicate the messiahship of Jesus in English and Hebrew. JFJ will attempt to hand out over forty thousand gospel tracts with contemporary, humorous and very concise messages with impact. QR (Quick Response) codes on the backs of some t-shirts are shown directing those that scan them to introductory videos to JFJ and the Messiah. The Awakening video shows the campaigners carrying JFJ labeled shoulder bags full of tracts. Pep talks are shown often ending with the uplifting words, "Give 'em heaven!" Some of the seasoned members of JFJ are shown preparing the current generation of future JFJ leaders. You'll see weekly meetings where all are invited to learn more about the Messiah Jesus. Sometimes a rabbi will attend to challenge them. You'll witness their daily devotional times where JFJ campaign workers recharge their batteries for their long days. The Awakening video lets you see the "Sortie Cards" used to gather information from the few willing people on the streets. "Sortie" is an appropriate word, since JFJ is attacking against Satan's position in people's lives and souls.
God is still reaching out; first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles.
Shalom, Brad L. Burge Author of Satan's Hoax: End-Times Prophecies Through the Eyes of a Modern-Day Paul
Flowers of the Son (2010)
An outstanding and professionally done video that explains the work of Jews for Jesus in Israel
Flowers of the Son is a great eye opener of how great the missionary need is in Israel, especially for the Jewish people. Less than 6000 of the 5.5 million Jewish people in Israel know who Jesus is.
Yeshua is Hebrew for Jesus. Israelis commonly don't know who Yeshua is because Jesus is commonly referred to as Yeshu is Israel. Yeshu is commonly known in Israel as an acronym that means, "May his name be blotted out." Thus, Jews for Jesus banners in Israel read, in Hebrew, Yeshu=Yeshua=Yeshuah. Yeshuah means, "salvation."
Some followers of Judaism in Israel see Christian missionaries as germs that need to be eradicated. Israeli book stores commonly will not carry the New Testament. Jews for Jesus missionaries often must relocate their efforts every forty minutes in order to avoid sometimes unsafe confrontations from followers of Judaism. Of course, not all followers of Judaism resort to rude or unsafe confrontational actions.
Jewish people, especially in Israel, need Jesus. The Jews for Jesus campaign, Behold Your God, began it's outreach in Israel in 2008. It's name is based upon Isaiah 40:9, ". . . be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!" They are sharing the gospel of Jesus in the land where Jesus walked. If they really believe that Jesus is the Messiah, then how can they be silent?!
Flowers of the Son is a wonderful reminder of how Jesus' passion for His people is alive and He will, indeed, save a remnant as He promised. The veil is slowly beginning to be lifted from the eyes of the Jewish people. Trusting Jesus is actually the most Jewish thing that a Jewish person can do.