Reaching Jews with the Message of the Messiah

(Tuvya Zaretsky is a CCCC minister and a leader in Jews for Jesus. Here he shares some recent encounters in his ministry.)

Greetings from Tuvya and Ellen Zaretsky

Shalom and blessings, because Jesus is risen from the grave. Thank you for your gracious partnership in our Jews for Jesus ministry. The Passover/Resurrection season is always an intense time for us. Still, I’m privileged to report to you what the Lord doing in the lives of three Jewish contacts. Be encouraged!

Bruce A. came to visit Los Angeles earlier this month on a business trip, but made time to meet so we could discuss God’s business. Bruce told me that in 1963 a high school friend took him to a Billy Graham Crusade. The message deeply impacted him, though he can’t recall the exact content now. He has never forgotten how it opened him to the reality of new life in Jesus. I connected Bruce with the head archivist at the Billy Graham Center in Illinois. Bruce is now tracking down the exact message that Dr. Graham gave when Bruce was just a 13-year-old boy. I’m praying that the gospel message will take root in Bruce’s heart after all these years. The Lord’s Spirit has been at work in him for a long time.

I have also been asking for prayer for Shari G. Her spiritual quest is progressing quickly. Shari expresses gratitude for the healing message of the Gospel. However, she hesitates to believe because she is frightened that she would “have to tell others” if she follows Jesus. I encouraged her to take one step at a time until faith and speaking of Him is natural. Shari welcomes prayer that God will keep her heart open to the truth. This weekend she will attend a local church where the Word of Truth is proclaimed.

And last week I met Mary, an evangelical Christian and her Jewish husband, Elliot. Mary needs help in explaining her faith in Jesus to Elliot. He loves Mary, but grew up hearing at his synagogue that Christians were anti-Semitic. He is open minded enough to meet with me, if I could explain Jesus’ message in a way that made sense for someone who is Jewish.

On a Friday afternoon we met at their home. I asked Elliot about his background. To our surprise, we discovered that we both grew up in the same hometown. And he attended the same synagogue where I also received religious instruction in Judaism. We were stunned to realize that Elliot’s older brother and I were in the same bar mitzvah preparation Hebrew class! By that point Elliot was totally open to know how I came to faith in Messiah Jesus in spite of sharing the same cultural “indoctrination” against it.

I know that you share my joy and prayers for Bruce, Shari, Mary and Elliot. We of all people have extraordinary hope and enthusiasm for salvation in Yeshua (Jesus).

Thank you for your gracious support of this work. I think you realize that you are a very important partner with us.

Blessings abound to you at this Passover/Resurrection season.

Yours in our Messiah

Tuvya Zaretsky