In recent decades there has been a great deal of interest, among Christians, in searching out and understanding Jesus’ Jewish roots. Some have undertaken such a study with noble goals of seeking to more fully understand Jesus’ life and teachings by grasping the religious and historical framework in which he lived. Others have undertaken this study with the less-noble goal of trying to prove that Jesus was little more than a confused rabbi who led people astray. I have seen some people who have become so intruiged with the Jewish customs and celebrations that they have re-introduced many of these into their unique brand of Christianity, celebrating Lord’s Supper and baptism along with any of the Jewish feasts and holidays.
Yeshua/Jesus: Exploring the Jewish Roots of Jesus is a two-part documentary produced by Mark Villiger that explores Jesus’ origins and heritage. He and journalist Peter Darg seem to do so from pure motives. They seek to portray to the viewer the atmosphere and customs of first-century Israel to help him understand what Jesus would have experienced as a Jewish child, teen and adult.
The producers are able to show that many of the feasts and customs pointed directly to Jesus. He celebrated them while He was on earth, and in His last act of love, fulfilled them. The tragedy of Judaism is that the Jewish people continue to celebrate and anticipate what has already been fulfilled. Their feasts point forward, but to an event that has already occurred.
Yeshua/Jesus is quite a good production and it is very interesting, allowing the viewer to see the lands Jesus walked, the feasts and customs He celebrated, and the people He loved. At 85 minutes, divided into two roughly-equal parts, it is just long enough to be both useful and educational. I quite enjoyed it.
