Talking about the mercy of God and pointing to Old Testament passages that foretell of the Messiah would be a good way in which to bring Jesus into the conversation. Arguing that Jesus is God could create a premature cut-off in the conversation.  Making the connection of the Old Testament with the New Testament Jesus would help them to understand who Jesus is to a Christian.  Orthodox Jews are waiting for the Messiah to come as a leader and ruler over the earth.  Jesus did not come this way and helping them to see God’s mercy in sending his Son as a human to conquer the power of sin and death is a crucial part of the conversation.  The Jew trusts in God’s mercy as their forgiveness and salvation.  Jesus could give them freedom from the Law that binds and accuses them.

They are waiting for a Messiah who will bring about the New Zion and rein over the earth in glory.  Orthodox Jews focus on keeping the commandments and the Law of God.  However they do not view the Law as condemnation (because they do not believe in original sin).  Much emphasis is placed on their obedience to God’s demands.  Letting the Word of God work in their hearts is the hope that a Christian witness has for their understanding of Jesus.  An Orthodox Jew trusts in the mercy of God for repentance.  They look to God for meaning and identity in their life and lifestyle following the Law of Moses.  Valleskey makes a connection between God and people by looking at the image of God for people:  “Given at creation, lost in the fall, restored through Christ” (Valleskey 39).   Point out the mercy of God through the person of Jesus Christ. 
  (MJ 2/01)

Sources Used:

Halverson, D.C. ed.  The Compact Guide to World Religions. Bethany House Publishers: Minneapolis, MN. 1996.

 Beaver, R.P., Bergman, J., Langley, M.S., et al. Eds. Eerdmans’ Handbook to The World’s Religions. William B. Eerdamans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids, MI.  1982.

 Smith, H. The World’s Religions. Harper Collins: San Francisco. 1991. 

Valleskey, D.J.  We Believe – Therefore We Speak. Northwestern Publishing House: Milwaukee, WI. 1997.

 World Religions Index  (22 February, 01) (http://wri.leaderu.com/wri-table2/judaism.html#God).

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