Marc Handelsman gives some excellent reasons about why we, as Messianic Jews, should be bold about our faith. However, we should still exercise caution about whom we tell, and when.

In his article, Are You A Mossad Believer?, Marc Handelsman gives some compelling reasons why Messianic Jews should be open about our faith. Using a creative metaphor, he compares "underground" Jewish Believers to those in the Israeli Intelligence.

Marc himself is very bold about his faith, shares with others, and in general, lives a life worthy of G-d's blessings and rewards. I admire that he does not talk down to those Messianic Jews who are not as bold as him, but rather tries to sway them with his excellent reasoning.

There are many different reasons why one would choose to be a "Mossad Believer." In most Jewish families and communities, when someone openly admits they believe in Yeshua, they are immediately disowned and cut off from their families and communities. We are supposed to put our relationship with the LORD above all, but losing one's family is something so traumatic that even the thought of it scares many Jewish Believers from coming out and telling their parents and relatives the truth.

Some Jews who come to faith in Yeshua are married to Jewish non-Believers, and are afraid that they will ruin their marriage by witnessing to their spouse. Others feel a deep inner turmoil that be believing in Yeshua, that they are abandoning their Jewish heritage. Jewish bloodlines run deep, and Jewish Believers often feel a lot of guilt and sadness, especially in the beginning of their faith walk.

Without question, we are supposed to confess our faith. But who we confess to, and when, should be taken upon with a lot of wisdom and prayer. For example, some Jewish Believers (myself included) start off my telling their Christian friends. Then, they tell secular friends, and eventually tell their Jewish friends and families. This way, they have a support network in case the proverbial matzah hits the fan when they tell their folks.

The hardest people to tell, by far, are the non-Believing Jewish people in our lives who are closest to us. The thought of losing them and hurting them is extremely painful. Just because we choose, at least for a while, not to reveal our faith to certain people does not mean we are doing so to disrespect G-d, but to try to make the best of a very difficult situation. And we can still serve G-d to our fullest potential.

Ultimately, this is an issue that is between the Jewish Believer and the LORD. We should not judge, but instead offer counsel and prayer for our Jewish brothers and sisters in such a difficult dilemma.

Copyright 2002