For one evening the Mall became a marketplace of faith, as a large crowd gathered for the Menorah lighting ceremony. Our task, this evening, was to present the truth. The fulfilled prophecies of Isaiah 52-53 were referenced and explained in several of the gospel presentations from the box.
The hardy team included: Mark, Jeremy, Jack, Dean C., Steve M., Dean S., and Steven V.
Menorah Lighting
The orthodox Jewish organization, Chabad, was present at the mall to light a menorah for the fourth night of Hanukkah. We briefly met with the Rabbi, who remembered us from last year, and we respectfully agreed to his cordial request to quiet our amp during their ceremony from 8:00 to 8:30.
The exact
beliefs of the Chabad organization are a little hard to pin down. But, based on their website, and the personal experience we have had with them in the past, they are a "movement" of Jews who seek to bring Judaism back to faith in the Torah, the traditions of orthodox observance, and into a social program of good works and service to the greater community. Interestingly, they proclaim a messianic hope that has been placed in a line of men who were descendants of the originator of the movement in Russia over two hundred years ago.
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:1-4)
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He forknew. (Romans 11:1-2)
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25 NKJV)
Almost 50 bibles and hundreds of the "Santa" Million Dollar Bill tracts were given out. Although it is impossible to know how many of the faithful Jews took tracts or Bibles, it is our prayer that the eyes of the Jewish believers in God the Father, would be opened to God the Son, Yeshua, Jesus. And that, rather than trusting in their own righteousness before God, they would repent of their sin and put their trust and faith in the perfect righteousness of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many of our team are blessed to know several born again, Jewish believers in the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. Several in our own congregation are of Jewish heritage. Often, those Jews whom the Holy Spirit calls to faith in Yeshua become shining lights of wisdom and knowledge, and zealous for evangelism.
Something To Look Forward To
"I was honored today with having a few stones, dirt, rotten eggs, and pieces of dead animals thrown at me." George Whitefield
2013 Holiday Cheer - Downtown Burbank will kick off a month-long celebration with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Downtown Wonderland on December 7. Festivities will continue right up through New Year’s Day with dozens of events throughout the district.
JOIN US!! This Saturday, 6:00 pm at the Burbank Police Department parking lot, on Palm Ave., at Glenoaks.
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