The Fake News that Betty Believed
“That’s good,” I was told. “I think it’s really nice that you have a strong faith. But do you know who I don’t like? It’s those Jews who believe in Jesus!”
I was silent for a moment as I studied the face of Betty, who herself was Jewish. She was sitting in a chair in front of my desk at my property management office. I always had enjoyed when Betty stopped into my office for a chat. I found Betty to be intelligent, witty, caring, and quite direct when speaking about things that really mattered to her.
Yet there was no mistaking the disdain in her voice and the change in her usually serene demeanor as she uttered the words “those Jews who believe in Jesus.”
I was caught off guard by Betty’s remark because she knew I was serious about my faith. In fact, she had spoken with me in the past of her respect for Christians who followed their faith wholeheartedly.
I chose my words carefully: “Betty, do you realize how offensive what you just said is?”
Surprise filled her face and voice. “What? Offensive to you that I spoke about Jews?”
“Betty,” I responded, “Why do you get so upset with Jewish people who believe in Jesus?”
“Why? Well because it is wrong for a Jew to worship a man!” Her voice was even louder now. I decided to wait a moment.
“Yes, I understand,” I replied. “And I agree with you 100%, Betty. And that is what is offensive!”
I could see that my answer confused her, so I pressed on: “Yes, it is wrong to worship a man as God. But you seem to believe it is only wrong for Jewish people... that it’s okay for someone like me to ‘worship a man.’”
I could see now that Betty had fully realized the implications of her belief. For a few moments there was an uneasy silence.
With a smile, I again looked in Betty’s eyes. “I know you wouldn’t purposely say something to offend me. What it really comes down to, Betty, is what I consider the most important question everyone should seek to answer: Who was – or is – Jesus?” I made sure my tone was warm as I added that I believed that there was only one God, and that it was the God of Israel, our Creator. I shared that God did not want anyone to worship a false god or man, whether Jewish or Gentile.
I went on to explain that as the reason why the true nature and identity of Jesus is so important. I started off, “Because if Jesus was the Son of God then…”
With a raised hand to silence me, Betty smiled faintly. She slowly lowered her hand and reached across the desk, gently placing her hand on my hand as she gave it a slight squeeze and rose from her chair. “I know you mean well,” she said.
Those final words – sincere words – were the last ones I ever heard from Betty.
Today, this same old, sad belief permeates the Jewish community and keeps them from “believing” what the Hebrew Scriptures clearly say about God’s Son[1], who He is, and how He would bring about salvation.
And the sad reality is that there is a lot of “Fake News” that for centuries (and still today!) is peddled and proclaimed about the Jewish man born in Bethlehem in Israel as the prophet Micah prophesied. [2]
Webwise (an educational Internet safety site) states: “There are three elements to fake news: Mistrust, misinformation and manipulation.” [3]
There are many people today (whether Jewish or not) who think like Betty. They are victims of “fake news” about the Jewish Messiah – Jesus.
Yet, there is a trustworthy source: the Hebrew Scriptures. They are trustworthy, informative, and show without “manipulation” the true identity of the Jewish Messiah.
Don’t stake the fate of your eternity, and risk missing out on abundant life, because of “fake news.” Want to learn more? Contact us today so we can show you from the Scriptures the Good News spoken of by the prophet Isaiah and others.[4]
Written by Jeff, LIFE Staff Member
[1] Proverbs 30:1-5; Psalm 2; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 22:41-46; Psalm 110:1
[2] Micah 5:2
[3] webwise.ie/teachers/what-is-fake-news/
[4] Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Contact us for an exhaustive list of prophetic scriptures showing the identity of the Messiah.
