Though not Jewish by birth, I'm nevertheless an ethical monotheist who adheres to halakha (Jewish law) pretty closely, so this is my perspective.
I entertain an endless fascination with Jesus as a Jew, and so question his application to the law, while yet recognizing the theological considerations which convey him as the messiah to so many millions...which I think we're all richer for, especially in America.
Though the ancient Hebrews channeling utterly wild male sexuality into heterosexual marriage provided - I believe - the cornerstone and anchor of Western civilization. And it's hard for me not to be excited about that, too.
God Bless, always.
Yes ... me too! I have often pondered how I, as a religious Jew, would have responded to His teachings, were I alive back then. Especially this one:
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
Luke 4:14-21