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