A Rabbi Looks at Jesus of Nazareth

by Jonathan Bernis

Raised in a traditional Jewish family, international television host Jonathan Bernis was taught from a young age that "Jews don't--and can't!--believe in Jesus." Yet in his study of the Bible, including the Torah, he found overwhelming evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really was the Jewish Messiah.
With warmth and transparency, Bernis talks about discovering Jesus in history, too, and how it was that the Jewish Yeshua became the Gentile Jesus. By presenting historic evidence that Jesus is Messiah and refuting common Jewish objections, Bernis gives Christians the knowledge and tools they need to share their Lord with their Jewish friends in a loving, effective way.

Genres: Religion, Judaism, Christianity, Christian, Spirituality, Israel, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jonathan Bernis is the president and CEO of Jewish Voice Ministries International and the author of several books, including A Hope and a Future, A Rabbi Looks at Jesus of Nazareth, A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days, and A Rabbi Looks at the Afterlife. Bernis is a Jewish believer in Jesus who has been in Messianic Jewish ministry for over thirty-five years and is the host of Jewish Voice With Jonathan Bernis, a weekly television program seen on Christian networks across the globe. Bernis and his wife, Elisangela, are the parents of two daughters, Liel and Hannah, and reside in Phoenix, Arizona.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a Jewish perspective on Jesus, probably much more like the one that His first followers had than today's American evangelical perspective. I don't know if it actually corrected my view of Jesus, but it certainly added to it, and confirmed what I have always believed - that Jesus is the Messiah that was promised for millenia.
Rabbi Bernis shares his personal journey of faith, as well as a look into the (non-messianic) Jewish view of Christianity. I was grieved to tears at the chapter on the history of Christian-Jewish relations, which provides an embarassing expose of why so many Jews have a negative view of Christians, and why a Jewish person who accepts Jesus as Messiah is considered a traitor.
While most of the book provided excellent documentation and (if one will accept it) proof that Jesus is the Messiah, which I would love to share with every Jewish person I meet, I also got an unexpected education on just how BADLY Christians can stray from what Jesus taught about love. To me, one of the greatest miracles in the history of the Church is that it has survived the foolishness and insanity of its followers. We have a long ways to go...

[Susan Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to gravitated towards Christian books by Jewish authors for several reasons. Their testimonies of coming to faith are always interesting as they contain their struggle to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah against a background of prejudice against him. Likewise their discussion of apologetic issues is always thought provoking. Often they point out details in the Bible I have overlooked or taken for granted. I also read these books because I hope they will give me more insight into Jewish or even Eastern thinking as I know my understanding of the Bible is coloured by my Western mindset. However I have now read so many of this genre of books that I'm finding less new material. Nevertheless, A Rabbi Looks at Jesus of Nazareth by Jonathan Bernis, was a helpful read and touched on all these points.

Bernis has two groups of people in mind as he writes: Jewish people who are interested in discovering the truth about Jesus and Christians who have Jewish friends and would like to witness to them. I'm neither. However the book contains much helpful apologetic material and insight into the history of Christianity and Judaism.

Possibly the most surprising thing, Bernis wrote was his astonishment in finding out Jesus was Jewish!

Material is clearly presented and easy to read. A good read.

[Beth Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit biased, but generally appreciated his story.

[Brian Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan's testimony of coming to faith in Christ is amazing.

[Jenna Ont · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I stumbled upon this book at a used book store, this is what I thought: "Hmm! It sounds like a rabbi has found a way to respect the teachings of Jesus." I am Jewish and, despite all the theological/political divisiveness, I had the impression that the historical person, Jesus the rabbi, had some worthwhile teachings.

So although incredibly naive of me, I thought this book was simply going to be about a rabbi talking about the teachings of Jesus, and able to do it without changing religion in anyway.

FIRST: I actually found the argument (that Jesus is the Jewish messiah) quite convincing. Yes.

HOWEVER: There is a BIG problem with this book. WHY switch over to messianic Judaism? Why, why, WHY worship and praise Jesus? Even if I respect Jeshua, which I do, what's the point of (becoming idolatrous)? It's not what He would have wanted. Nor do I believe that he is the "only way to the Father." Nor do I believe that he "died for our sins." Nor do I believe that Jesus began the religion of Christianity. It's not what he would have wanted.

To me, the author seems to be an evangelical Christian. Which means this: Taking on the foundational Christian tenets (the trinity; Jesus having died for our sins, etc) -and- being on a mission to convert as many people as possible.

It (Protestant forms of Christianity) feels so empty to me. It feels like there's no content. It seems like the only thing cared about is (A) the fact that Jesus was born, (B) the fact that Jesus died, etc, and (C) converting over as many people as possible. This is evident in the holidays that Christianity has throughout the year. And all the psalms and music. And the content of the sermons and services.

The book's flaw: The author never answers these essential questions: Even if Jesus was the Messiah, Why convert? What's the point of worshiping Jesus?? (None, in my opinion. There's no point in worshiping or praising anyone or anything. We can pray, but why not instead frame it as "being in gratitude" rather than putting ourselves at a distance, with words?)

I'll do some honest, objective reading about Jeshua, Buddha, and anything in the New Age and Spirituality sections of my bookstore that interests me. And I'll remain Jewish.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read of its kind, although I can't help but compare it with Roy Schoeman's Salvation comes from the Jews, which is more extensive, but contains similar elements and is Catholic. Indeed, one of the reasons I have not given this excellent book a five-star rating is because it remains at the 'evangelical' stage and never quite reaches the Catholic stage. I have appreciated the difficulties caused by the cruelties inflicted upon the Jewish communities by Christian figures and groups over the centuries, as described by the author, but I am still convinced that the Jewish communities form a single household with the Church, as demonstrated by Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans - 'ecumenism,' the housekeeping work of the Church should therefore include the Jewish communities as well as Christian communities. I have delighted in the author's use in this book of Christian language, which is of course a hellenised Jewish language. I also agree with him that the New Testament is by no means 'anti-Semitic,' because it just couldn't be, for it was written (as he says) by Jews for Jews. There is so much good here, and I recommend this book wholeheartedly to both Jews seeking Christ, and Christians seeking their roots.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book aimed at explaining to Jewish people why Jesus is the Messiah they’ve been waiting for. It does not try to “ convert” non-believers but encourages readers to have an open mind in reading Scripture and discovering how Jesus came to fulfill, not abolish the law and that He was the final Passover sacrifice. He also highlights the Old Testament prophesies fulfilled in the New Testament and explains how and why Israel and the Jewish people have been the key to global salvation and redemption. For believers, this book is an excellent resource for apologetics and provides tools for sharing the Christian faith. Most importantly, the author shared his personal story of coming to Christ and of how Christ has changed his life.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I wanted to ask a lot of questions but had a hard time keeping up with his thought process, not as good as some other books. I really wanted a real Orthodox rabbi to write and not a messianic convert. I was disappointed in our public libraries, one system only had Messianic writers from chosen publishing house and the other didn't buy another. Still some basis out there. I wanted more open minded thinking.

[Ruth Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent read! WOW!

[Orpiment99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonathan Bernis describes his conversion story as well providing some general Christian apologetics about the existence of Jesus, the O.T. prophecies of the Messiah, etc. A good short read. Mr. Bernis however, falls short of some things, which honestly did not surprise me knowing that he comes from a more "Protestant" view than a "Catholic" view of things. I would almost consider him anti-Church but his testimony is still fascinating and would perhaps appeal to Jews.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful writing providing an understanding of the connection(s) between God's chosen people and His provision of the Messiah. Rabbi Bernis clearly proves that the Old Testament prophecies do point to Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah.