A Blessing from the Blessing
She was smiling politely, but her eyes and body language sent a signal of discomfort that did not escape my attention.
At Passover/Easter time each year I am reminded of a holiday dinner years ago when the “blessing” became a blessing. At the time, I was single and some good friends kindly extended an invitation to join them for lunch on Easter. My friends had known me for years. Over time, our relationship had changed . . . because I had changed! I had professed Jesus and placed my faith in Him a few years earlier and was not the same person they had been used to. They saw my life was radically different; I really was a new person.
When I arrived at their home that Easter Sunday, I was introduced to a young woman who was among the small group they had invited. I was not surprised because this couple had always been very hospitable in opening their home to people. As she introduced herself by name, I felt certain she was Jewish.
I thought to myself, “How awkward must she feel!” The family had an Easter egg hunt before lunch and even mentioned that I had formerly been pretty “wild” but was now “religious” (Christian).
The air was filled with the aromatic scent of a smoked and spiced ham among all the other traditional foods attractively laid out on the dining table. Everyone was seated, the ham was sliced, beverages were served. It was quite festive! At this point my friends decided it would only be fitting to ask their “religious” friend (me) to say a prayer before we partook in the feast before us.
I looked across the table at *Rebecca, my new Jewish acquaintance. It was not fear I saw in her eyes, but she certainly looked uncomfortable. Rather than bowing my head, I lifted the glass and recited the traditional Hebrew blessing recited each Shabbat.[1] I followed with the traditional Hebrew blessing that is said with the Shabbat bread,[2] then repeated the blessings in English.
Everyone at the table except Rebecca looked a bit confused. The tense, uncomfortable demeanor she had shown now lifted. Soon talk and laughter filled the room as various dishes of delicious food were passed around.
Later in the afternoon, the children were outside playing and the adults were mingling and drinking coffee. Rebecca walked over to me and simply said, “Thank you.”
She did not need to tell me what for, but she followed with a question, “You are not Jewish are you?”
I smiled and said, “No, but my Lord is.”[3] For the next few minutes, I was able to share with her about my faith and who Jesus is. I told her of my heart for Israel and the Jewish people because of the Messiah Jesus.
That evening when I was back at my apartment, I thanked God that the blessings had truly become a blessing and for the opportunity to speak of the Holy One of Israel with one of the ”lost sheep” of Israel.
Written by Jeff, LIFE Staff
At Life in Messiah, we have been sharing God’s heart for the Jewish people since 1887. One of the ways we do this is with a genuine interest, concern, and loving engagement of Jewish communities and Jewish people around the world. There is no greater message for Israel and the Jewish communities than the message of salvation through the Messiah Jesus.
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Footnotes:
[1] Kiddush – Blessing over the cup//
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן //
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam, borei p’ree hagafen // Blessed are you Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe who creates the fruit of the vine.
[2] Blessing over the Challah //
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ //
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam, hamotzi lekhem min ha'aretz // Blessed are you Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who causes bread to come forth from the earth.
[3] Matthew 1:1-1:25; Isaiah 7:10-14; Isaiah 9:6-7.