Jesus is a Jew who came to the Jews and who practiced Judaism as the one true religion
I can't say that I have ever observed any of the Fathers remarking that "Jesus is a Jew". This is a commonly heard expression these days and I think most of the people use it in an improper context and without understanding. (I am not necessarily referring to you per se).
For starters, if we were to think it fitting to call Christ Jewish, there are different connotations when saying, "Christ is a Jew" or "Christ was a Jew".
Furthermore, Christ was born of a Jewish Virgin called Mary. However, Christ had no earthly father as his begetter. He was conceived of the Holy Ghost.
But we wouldn't want to say Christ was "half-Jewish". We never say Christ was or is "half" anything. We speak of Him as fully God and fully man.
The Church Fathers tended to use much more carefully worded language than we see used today, in this Judaizing world in which we live.
Usually the Fathers would speak in terms of saying something like:
"Christ's nativity according to the flesh was of the Jews", or "Christ took on flesh from the race of the Jews" or something akin to this.
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3)
It's important that we be precise in how we describe Christ's nature, because it is clear that Christ is more than just a man. He is fully God and fully man. He has a twofold nature. We cannot call His divine nature "Jewish".
So if one were to say that Christ is a Jew and not specify that they are speaking of Him only according to His fleshly incarnation, it could lead to confusion and even to an inaccurate representation of his twofold nature.
In other words, were we to say that Christ is a Jew, we would be ignoring the fact that Christ's divine nature was joined completely to his human nature, although without confusion.
It is best if we simply limit our words to saying that according to the flesh Christ was of the Jews or took on flesh from the Jews.
Let's also not forget to take note of the words of blessed Paul:
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more (2 Cor 5:16)
So I think it would be prudent in these days that are wrought with confusion, not to advance any misconceptions about Christ by saying He is a Jew.
Especially considering how the majority of the world is ignorant of the fact that most of the people calling themselves Jewish today are liars and enemies of Christ, gathered into the synagogue of Satan.
Judaism today is Chaldean witchcraft in the form of Kabbalah, antichrist Talmudism, and Phariseeism. There is no such thing as a Jewish person in these days who is following or adhering to the Law of Moses in a literal sense or carnal sense. It is impossible and cannot be done. Don't let any person fool you and try to con you into thinking they are a "Torah Jew" who follows the Law of Moses as was done prior to the advent of Christ.
This is why it is silly to claim that Judaism came before Christianity so we should all become like Old Testament Jews under the Law. It simply cannot be done! All you have to do is read the injunctions of the Law and see that it cannot be fulfilled outside of Jerusalem and without a valid priesthood, and a Temple, and so forth.
The only true Jews are Christians who put on the circumcision of Christ not made by hands. Orthodox Christians are called upon to fulfil the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)
Cyprian |
