Why should I risk being disowned by my family and rejected by my friends and associates?

When a Jew becomes a follower of Yeshua, he should maintain his Jewish identity and commitment to his family and friends, and to the Jewish community. This is facilitated by the Messianic congregational movement. Hundreds of Messianic congregations have sprung up over the last two decades. Emmanuel Messianic Jewish Congregation consists of a mixture of Jews and Gentiles who desire to worship G-d in a Jewish context.

Even though a Jewish believer in Yeshua may continue to live a Jewish lifestyle, some of his family and/or friends may still reject him—at least initially. Keep in mind that Yeshua said we would be persecuted by those who refuse him and his message (John 15:20; Matthew 5:11), and that if we reject him before men, that he will reject us before G-d (Matthew 10:33). In other words, there will be a price to pay for becoming a follower of the Jewish Messiah—Yeshua. But it's well worth it.

Stories of other Jews who have taken this step can be found in the book "Awakening."