"For such a time as this" is such an awesome phrase. Purim has come and gone for this year but what stays with us is that God is determined to not leave His people behind. Purim is such a great reminder that though people come against us often for following God (or for believing in Him at all) we know that God is with us just as He was with Esther.
In the face of certain death Esther stood up for her people. In the day that we live in it is the responsibility of every Messianic Jew and Gentile to stand up for Yeshua our Messiah. For the rest of the Jewish world and for society at large it is not Jewish to believe in Jesus. In fact, not believing in Jesus has, for many, become apart of the definition of Judaism. A Jew can believe in all kinds of things and still be considered Jewish. But, Yeshua! No longer a Jew if you believe in Him.
For Gentiles who find themselves apart or involved in the modern Messianic movement it is not all that different. Family and friends wonder if they "have joined a cult" or "hope this is just a fad" or are "worried for their salvation". Some cry, "Why would you get involved in all of that legalism?" or "Don't you know that all that Jewish stuff has been done away with?"
Whether one is Jewish or not, being involved in the modern messianic movement brings all kinds of trouble. Just look at what our friends in the Arad, Israel are experiencing: (see video)
This is why Paul encourages us to "Proclaim the Word! be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not" (2 Timothy 4:2). The goal of Messianic Judaism is not to confuse or criticize everyone else who does not believe as we do. Paul continues, "But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires"(2 Timothy 4:5). Whether anyone likes Yeshua or not...believes in Him or not. The foundation of the story is that it is Good News. People can choose to believe that it is "not Jewish" or that it is a "cult." People are free to believe anything they want. But then, so are we! We are free to believe that the Good News is, in its very nature, a Jewish message. A Jewish message that is for everyone. Not because God wants everyone to become Jewish but because God wants everyone to return to Him, their creator, and to trust that He is good.
The modern Messianic Synagogal Movement is here "for such a time as this". To help make important corrections for the body of Messiah and work for the salvation of our non-messianic Jewish people and the nations.
Peter picks up on this same message when he says, "If you are being insulted because you bear the name of the Messiah, how blessed you are! For the Spirit of the Sh’khinah, that is, the Spirit of God, is resting on you! Let none of you suffer for being a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or a meddler in other people’s affairs. But if anyone suffers for being Messianic, let him not be ashamed; but let him bring glory to God by the way he bears this name. For the time has come for the judgment to begin. It begins with the household of God; and if it starts with us, what will the outcome be for those who are disobeying God’s Good News? — “If the righteous is barely delivered, where will the ungodly and sinful end up?” So let those who are suffering according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator by continuing to do what is good." (1 Peter 4:14-19).
"If anyone suffers for being Messianic, let him not be ashamed; but let him bring glory to God by the way he bears this name." Messianic comes from the Hebrew for Messiah. It literally means, "follower of Messiah." For those of us that call ourselves Messianic (Messianic Jews or Messianic Gentiles) we should take the name seriously. In everything that we do and say we represent something bigger than ourselves. This is why Peter is careful to remind us that "judgement...begins with the household of God." Why? because we are responsible for what we say and do. "For God will bring to judgment everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad" (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Peter continues, "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you. Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering" (1 Peter 5:6-9)
You have been called to follow God "for such a time as this". Trust. Love. Know that the same God who never left Esther will never leave you.
Stand up. Believe. It's Good News. and we've got to tell it by the lives we live more than the words we speak. St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words." Bam! Now that's winning!
Peter ends his letter with this, "You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God, who is full of grace, the one who called you to his eternal glory in union with the Messiah, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:10-11).
The God of all creation, The God of Israel, wants to HIMSELF restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm. He is willing. Timing is everything. You have been called "for such a time as this." Jump in. The time is right!
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