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Bump for later and excellent post. As a Southern Baptist, I can testify that there are several within our own church that would not know, some even shocked, that Jesus Christ was Jewish. His ministry was meant first to the Jews and then only later to the Gentiles as evidenced in his rebuke of the woman following them in Samaria (?, not sure of the country)

I can testify that there are several within our own church that would not know, some even shocked, that Jesus Christ was Jewish

How would that feel if they discovered that "jews" who followed Paul causing trouble in Acts, could also be written as "Christians from Judah".

Ha, ha! Agreed. There remain many perhaps who do not want to think about the fact that Jesus was indeed Jewish. Even more, He was the Jewish Messiah, come not just for the Jews, not just to fulfill God's promises to them but to save people of every tribe, tongue, and nation - all who would turn to Him!

An aside - have you heard the Mark Lowry on Broadway CD or tape?

Mark is the author of the lyrics of the wonderful modern Christian song - "Mary, Did You Know" - and he does a stunningly beautiful rendition of this song on this CD.

But he is also a comedian. (Yes, a Christian - even a BAPTIST comedian).

Some of the funny things (some might say sacriligeous perhaps - but I thought humorous) Mark Lowry says re: Jesus growing up and his mother Mary are these:

Jesus knew he was the Messiah of Israel - from a very young age - at LEAST from the age of 12. But at age 30, Jesus was still living at home....and Mary was ready for Jesus to go "Mes-sigh"......

The fantastic thing is that the first recorded miracle Jesus did was not to raise the dead or to heal the sick but to relieve the embarrassment of a wedding host who ran out of wine - to keep the party going! (that's for the dour among us who think God / Jesus is against our rejoicing and celebrating the wonderful things in life - such as a wedding).

But, remember the dialogue between Jesus and his mother? Mary - who KNOWS who her son is - has been patiently waiting for Him to go "Mes-sigh".... :-)....at this party lets Jesus know that the wine has run out. What did Jesus say to her? something to the effect: "Woman.....what would you have me to do?"

Mark Lowry says - let's stop right there. That may have been okay in Israel for Jesus to call his mother "woman" - but if I tried that, my mother would see to it I was wearing my teeth around my neck!

Lowry goes on to say - again - he has wanted to ask Mary so many things about Jesus growing up in her home. Like, did she ever tell her son- "Go clean your room...do you think you were born in a barn?"

I want to thank God for His patience with this world, with His chosen people, the Jews, with me and mine. I want to also thank Him for the sense of humor and the gift of laughter which brightens our lives.

And to any who are offended at the humor - I sincerely don't mean it in an offensive way. Shalom.