Advice for the Doctor
Doctors, nurses, and caregivers have been in the news daily for the last twelve months, often giving advice on what to do in the unprecedented pandemic that has enveloped the world. We are accustomed to receiving advice from physicians; yet I fondly remember the day a doctor asked me for advice….
It had been nearly two years since I had been to my physician in the U.S., as I spend most of my time overseas. A routine check and blood test was needed so I could continue to purchase my needed medication.
I looked around the familiar waiting room and smiled when I saw magazines – all in English – on a small side table. It seemed nothing had changed in the office. I even recognized the nurse who stepped out from an adjoining hallway and called my name, motioning me to follow.
Once in the examination room, I hiked myself up onto the crisp white paper covering the padded table. The nurse asked a few preliminary questions while taking my blood pressure. She retrieved my medical file from a cabinet, inserted the newly recorded information, and said, “The doctor will be in to see you in a moment.”
True to her word, the door soon opened. An unfamiliar face stepped into the room. Yes, he was a physician wearing a white medical coat and a stethoscope draped around his neck – but he was not my doctor.
*Dr. Cohen introduced himself, greeting me warmly. I said hello in return, expressing my surprise at seeing this unexpected man.
After he looked through my file and asked some medical questions, Dr. Cohen said, “I see you’re living out of the country. I also find that the name of the organization you work for begs a question.”
I felt my body stiffen just a bit. When I first heard his name, I was quite certain my new physician was Jewish. I braced myself for a possible difficult conversation because the name on my records left little doubt that I worked with a Christian agency with a Jewish ministry emphasis.
Closing my file and looking me in the eye, Dr. Cohen challenged me, “So, do you tell Jewish people about Jesus? Is that what you do?”
This was not really a question but more of a statement.
All of a sudden, the stiffness I had initially felt was gone. I calmly looked into his eyes and said, “Yes, that’s exactly what I do, Dr. Cohen.”
To my surprise, his face lit up and a wide smile filled his face. “Praise God!” he exclaimed. “I’m a born-again Jewish believer in Jesus!”
The next 10-15 minutes were wonderful as he briefly told me how he had come to believe in Jesus. We both talked about how grateful we were to know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our common faith and love for Israel provided an immediate bond.
Then the doctor asked me, the patient, for advice: “I would like your advice on something because of your familiarity with the faith and with the Jewish community.”
“Sure, what is it?” I asked.
He explained that he and his wife were expecting their first child. As excited as he was, there was a perplexing matter he was contemplating: circumcision for his son.
I inquired what the issue was. Dr. Cohen responded, “Well, with both sets of our parents being Jewish, it’s expected that we will have our son circumcised.[1] However, I don’t want to do this because I’m no longer bound by the Law. It feels as if I’m being hypocritical or lacking faith if I have my son circumcised. What is your opinion?”
Almost instantly I told him, “If I were you, I would absolutely do it.”
For a moment he studied my face. I continued, “You already told me of the tension there is sometimes with your family because of you and your wife’s faith. They already think you’ve turned your back on being Jewish because of your faith in Jesus. This is a terrific way to show them that you are still Jewish and you still love your heritage and culture. Yet, it is also a way to show them that you know you are not bound by the Law,[2] but justified by grace, through faith in Jesus.[3] So, my advice would be . . . make your families happy. Celebrate it!” [4]
The doctor looked at me and asked, “You don’t think it shows a lack of faith?”
“No,” I responded. “I think it shows a loving faith, where you are considering the feelings of your family while knowing you are secure in your faith in the Messiah Jesus. That is an important thing. And perhaps walls will begin to break down so that, one day, they will consider the truth of who Jesus is and what you and your wife have . . . and by God’s grace place their trust in Him for salvation too!”
With this, the doctor looked at his patient and said, “That sounds like good advice.”
Written by Jeff, LIFE Staff
What about you? As a Jewish follower of Yeshua[5] have you been told you are no longer Jewish if you believe in Jesus? Do you have questions regarding the Mosaic Law and your freedoms[6] or convictions as a believer in Jesus? For insight on the believer’s relationship to the Law, we highly recommend an e-book Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus: How the Torah fulfills its goal in Yeshua, written by Jewish believers in Jesus.
The Gentile believer’s walk of faith can be greatly enriched by knowing more about our biblical foundations. As one example, understanding and celebrating the feasts of the Lord (such as Passover) can be a blessing as we see their fulfillment in Messiah.
Whether you are Jewish or a “goy with joy,” celebrating our saving relationship with Messiah Jesus has a priority. Both Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus serve with Life in Messiah, finding our unity through the Savior who makes us one.[7]
Contact us if we can be of help as you navigate the sometimes-confusing path of religious tradition, Jewish culture, and community/family expectations. God’s Word has much to inform our decisions as we live out our faith in a multi-cultural world.
Footnotes:
[1] Learn more about the circumcision ceremony (brit milah or bris) at: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-brit-milah-bris-ceremony/.
[2] Romans 4:1-5:5.
[3] Ephesians 2:8-9.
[4] Three pertinent verses on circumcision are Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Colossians 2:9-13.
[5] The Hebrew name of the Messiah, Jesus.
[6] Romans 14:1-23.
[7] Ephesians 2:13-16.