The Jewish Road Podcast

Did Jesus Celebrate Hanukkah?

Most people think of Hanukkah as the “Jewish Christmas,” a cultural celebration with candles, dreidels, and chocolate coins. But the real story is far older, far weightier, and far more connected to the story of Jesus than many Christians realize. 
Hanukkah is a story about attempted erasure, courageous resistance, and God’s unstoppable commitment to preserve His covenant promises.
In this episode, we walk through the rise of Antiochus, the Seleucid king who sought not only to dominate Israel but to erase its identity - banning circumcision, outlawing Torah, desecrating the Temple, and demanding assimilation. 
Yet when the majority gave way to cultural pressure, a few refused to bow. The Maccabees stood when others surrendered, preserving the line through which Messiah would one day come.
And 150 years later, during this very feast, Jesus walked in the Temple and declared Himself the Light of the World. The same God who preserved His people through the few stands faithful today. 
Hanukkah isn’t merely history; it is a lens for understanding the spiritual battles of our own moment and the hope of the King who will come again.
Key Takeaways
Hanukkah is rooted in real biblical history - not legend - and is foreshadowed in Daniel’s visions.
Antiochus Epiphanes sought to erase Jewish identity and break the covenant line of David.
The Maccabees embodied “the few” whom God uses to preserve His promises.
The real miracle of Hanukkah is God’s covenant faithfulness, not just the oil.
Jesus celebrated Hanukkah (John 10:22) and used the feast to reveal His identity.
The spirit of Antiochus - the antichrist spirit - still rises in every generation.
Hanukkah points forward to the return of Messiah, the true Light of the World.
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Childhood stories, Hanukkah misunderstandings 04:00 – What Hanukkah looked like generations ago 07:00 – Setting the biblical-historical stage 11:00 – Daniel’s prophecy and the rise of Antiochus 16:00 – The desecration of the Temple 20:00 – The Maccabees and the courage of the few 25:00 – Guerrilla war and the rededication of the Temple 29:00 – The legend of the oil vs. the real miracle 33:00 – Jesus and Hanukkah in John 10 38:00 – The spirit of antichrist then and now 43:00 – The coming Deliverer and the hope ahead
Explore more resources and upcoming events at thejewishroad.com.Discover where we’ll be sharing the Hanukkah story across the country at thejewishroad.com/light. Join The Few who make this work possible by supporting The Jewish Road and helping us tell the story that holds the whole Bible together.

Why Most Jewish People Reject Jesus - And How That Can Change (featuring Murray Tullis)

For many Christians, the divide between the church and the Jewish people feels ancient and immovable. But every divide has a story - and far too often, it’s a story Christians never heard. 
In this episode, we sit down with long-time friend and ministry leader Murray Tilles of Light of Messiah Ministries to uncover why Jesus remains such a point of pain for many Jewish families, and why the church’s calling toward Israel is more urgent than ever.
Murray shares his own journey from a deeply religious Jewish upbringing in North Carolina to the moment he prayed “in Jesus’ name” - words he never imagined he would say. 
His story isn’t abstract. 
It’s threaded with family tension, synagogue life, anti-Semitism, and the surprising power of Scripture to reshape identity. And it’s a window into the very real barriers Jewish people face when confronted with a “Christian” Jesus who feels historically disconnected from their people.
Together, we explore why the New Testament is far more Jewish than most Christians realize, why Paul’s “to the Jew first” mission still matters today, and how today’s rising anti-Semitism is creating unexpected openness among Jewish communities - if the church knows how to build trust. 
Murray helps believers move from abstract support to real relational bridge-building, from sentiment to substance, from generic evangelism to meaningful connection rooted in God’s covenant faithfulness.
Key Takeaways
Many Jewish people associate Jesus with centuries of suffering done “in His name,” making belief in Him feel like a betrayal of their people.
Murray’s journey began not with pressure but with Scripture - especially Isaiah 53 - leading him into a relationship with Israel’s own Messiah.
Paul’s model was never “either Israel or the nations.” His strategy was always “to the Jew first,” expecting the church to carry that mantle.
Replacement theology remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing Christians from seeing Scripture as one unified story.
Today’s cultural moment - including post-October 7 Jewish vulnerability - has opened new doors for relationship and witness.
Simple gestures - apples and honey, Hanukkah blessings, relationship-first approaches - create space for meaningful spiritual conversations.
The continued existence of the Jewish people is itself a testimony to God’s covenant promises and ongoing plan for Israel and the world.
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:19 – Meeting Murray & Ministry Connections 00:58 – Growing Up in a Religious Jewish Home 03:15 – Encountering Scripture for the First Time 04:19 – Discovering Jesus in the New Testament 05:28 – Family Tension, Cost, and Reconciliation 07:43 – Why Jesus Is Hard for Jewish People 09:57 – Anti-Semitism, History, and Misunderstanding 14:37 – The Jewishness of Jesus 17:39 – The Church’s Calling “To the Jew First” 22:51 – How Light of Messiah Reaches Jewish People 26:56 – Openness Since October 7 30:22 – Conspiracy Theories & Rising Confusion 33:06 – God’s Faithfulness to Preserve Israel 36:22 – How to Connect With Murray & Next Steps
Explore more resources, episodes, and guides at thejewishroad.com.
Connect with Murray Tilles and Light of Messiah Ministries at LightofMessiah.org and on Instagram @LightOfMessiahATL.
Learn about the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism at lcje-na.org, including the upcoming Atlanta conference.
Become one of The Few who stand with us and help advance this work at thejewishroad.com.

How to Read News About Israel (featuring Nicole Jansezian)

In a world where Israel is headline news every day, most people are trying to interpret events through a fog of bias, misinformation, and instant reaction culture. 
We sat down with longtime Jerusalem-based journalist Nicole Jansezian to ask a simple question that’s not simple at all: 
How do we know what’s actually true? 
What unfolded was an inside look at the fractured media landscape inside Israel and the ideological forces shaping the region.
Nicole helps us slow down and understand why the Middle East defies the easy categories most Westerners reach for. 
Israel’s political divisions don’t map onto America’s left-right spectrum. Palestinian society is not monolithic. And both sides live with historic, cultural, and religious dynamics that rarely show up in the headlines. 
When we oversimplify, we miss the deeper story - and the deeper human reality.
This conversation is for anyone who wants discernment in an age of propaganda. We explore why speed has replaced accuracy, why influencers often outrun truth, and why we need a long view shaped by Scripture, not by algorithms. 
For Christians seeking to understand Israel, this isn’t just geopolitics - it’s about returning to the story God has been telling since Genesis and learning to see the world the way He sees it.
Key Takeaways
Israel’s internal political spectrum is far more complex than the American left–right divide.
Headlines often frame events without context, leading to widespread misunderstanding.
Influencer-driven “news” prioritizes speed and virality over verification.
Propaganda is not always overt; sometimes it’s subtle, soft influence that shapes perception.
Ideology - religious, historic, territorial - drives Middle Eastern decisions more than economics.
The media environment inside Israel is deeply divided, with competing narratives shaping public opinion.
Christians must pursue discernment by slowing down, asking better questions, and grounding their understanding in Scripture.
Chapter Markers
 00:00 – Welcome and introduction from Jerusalem 01:20 – Nicole’s story: from Queens to the Middle East 04:00 – Why Israeli politics don’t mirror America 08:30 – Divisions inside Israel after October 7 13:45 – How to read news with discernment 16:45 – The rise of influencers and the loss of verification 21:00 – Why analysis is disappearing from modern news 23:00 – Ideological drivers of the Middle East 30:20 – Propaganda and soft influence 37:00 – Where to follow Nicole’s reporting
To go deeper into conversations that reconnect the whole Bible and illuminate God’s ongoing story with Israel and the nations, explore more resources at thejewishroad.com, join us on an upcoming trip to Israel, consider becoming one of The Few who support this work regularly, and follow today’s guest at nicjan.com and on her YouTube channel for on-the-ground reporting from Jerusalem.

Bringing Heaven Here (featuring Brad Gray & Brad Nelson)

Most of us learned the Lord’s Prayer before we understood what it was doing. It became a ritual, something recited rather than lived. 
But when Jesus’ words are returned to their original world - the Jewish people under Roman rule, the long ache for redemption, the hope of a coming kingdom - the prayer opens up in ways most modern readers have never seen. It becomes less a mantra and more a mission.
In this conversation with Brad Gray and Brad Nelson of Walking the Text, we explore why context is not a luxury but a lifeline. 
Jesus wasn’t offering a poetic devotional. He was giving His disciples a framework for partnering with God, joining the story that began in the Exodus, and learning to embody the kingdom He announced. 
Every line reaches back to Israel’s history and forward to God’s future, shaping a people who would carry His reign into the world.
From the clash of kingdoms under Rome, to the Jewish practice of communal prayer, to the way the early disciples finally recognized the kingdom at Shavuot, this episode invites us to see the prayer not as ancient words but as a daily blueprint. 
This is what it means to bring heaven here - to live as a people formed by the Father, trusting His provision, forgiving like He forgives, and resisting the powers that distort His world.
Key Takeaways
Context is not extra; it’s everything. Jesus assumed His listeners knew the Jewish, historical, and literary world behind His words.
The Lord’s Prayer sits at the “center of the center” of the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew’s way of spotlighting Jesus’ mission.
Every phrase echoes the Exodus story and frames Jesus as the new Moses leading a new Exodus.
“Daily bread” held layers: Israel’s wilderness manna, Rome’s grain system, and the hope of Messiah’s provision.
Ancient Jewish prayer was communal, formational, and participatory - not merely expressive.
Jesus’ kingdom message is not about escaping earth but joining God’s work of renewing it.
Salvation isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting point for disciples who bring God’s reign into the world.
Chapter Markers
 00:00 — Why Context Changes Everything 01:20 — What the Biblical Writers Assumed We Knew 04:20 — Discovering the Bible in “Technicolor” 06:15 — When the Lord’s Prayer Becomes Personal 09:00 — The Prayer’s Literary Center and the New Exodus 10:20 — Rome, Herod, and the Clash of Kingdoms 14:45 — Why the Disciples Needed to Be Taught to Pray 18:40 — What Jesus Is Really Forming Through This Prayer 21:00 — Kingdom, Salvation, and the Mission of Disciples 26:30 — The Phrase That Transformed Everything 29:00 — Why “For Thine Is the Kingdom…” Isn’t Original 31:50 — The Film, the Book, and the Global Project 38:00 — The Vision Behind Bringing Heaven Here
Explore more resources, teachings, and Israel study opportunities at https://thejewishroad.com.
To connect with Brad Gray and Brad Nelson, and to find the film The Lord’s Prayer and the book Bringing Heaven Here, visit https://thelordsprayer.com - your one-stop hub for the film, book, and upcoming series.

Can I Critique Israel's Government and Not Be Antisemitic?

Can you question what Israel’s government is doing and still stand with Israel in a biblical way? 
Many Christians feel trapped between blind support on one side and hostility on the other. In a noisy moment filled with slogans and hot takes, the conversation needs more covenant, not less.
In this episode we step back into the big story of Scripture to separate three things most people blur together: Israel’s government, the Jewish people, and God’s eternal covenant. 
We look at the prophets, at Jesus, at Paul, and at the Gospel of John to see how the Bible itself models sharp internal critique without ever erasing God’s promises to Israel.
You will come away with a simple “compass” you can use before you tweet, preach, repost, or debate. 
The goal is not to tell you what to think about every policy, but to help you think inside the covenant story of God, so that your words carry truth, humility, and hope for both Israel and the nations.
Key Takeaways
The Bible gives a long history of covenant insiders critiquing Israel’s leaders while still honoring God’s choice of Israel.
Nathan with David, Elijah with Ahab, the prophets, and Jesus in Jerusalem all confront sin to call Israel back, not to cancel the covenant.
Romans 11 holds two truths together: regarding the gospel, Israel is an enemy; regarding election, they are beloved, and God’s calling is irrevocable.
“The Jews” in John is better understood as “the Judeans” or specific authorities in conflict, not a timeless verdict on all Jewish people.
Israel’s government is not the same as the Jewish people, and the people are not the same as the covenant; those distinctions really matter.
Many Jewish people have real zeal for the God of Abraham, yet lack saving knowledge of Yeshua; our posture must be truth with tears, not contempt.
A simple four-question “compass” can help you speak about Israel in ways that invite repentance, resist double standards, and refuse erasing language.
Chapter Markers
00:00 Plywood palace, welcome, and why this conversation matters
04:00 Can I critique Israel and not be anti-Semitic?
08:30 Nathan, Elijah, the prophets, and Jesus as covenant critics
18:00 Romans 11: enemies, beloved, and irrevocable calling
26:30 John’s “the Jews,” Dale Partridge, and dangerous generalizations
37:00 Government vs people vs covenant: three crucial distinctions
47:00 A four-question compass for faithful critique
54:00 Hanukkah teaser, ministry update, and invitation to partner
In a moment when many are either shouting at Israel or defending her without discernment, this episode offers a biblical path that refuses both contempt and confusion. 
Listen in, explore more resources at thejewishroad.com, consider coming with us to Israel, and prayerfully ask if God is inviting you to be one of The Few who regularly support this work.

Are the Jewish People of Today the Jewish People of the Bible? (featuring Mottel Baleston)

There’s a rising chorus of voices - some hostile, others simply misinformed - claiming that modern Jews aren’t the same people God called His own in Scripture. 
In this episode, we sit down with Messianic teacher Mottel Baleston to dismantle the Khazar conspiracy and explore the deeper theological question behind it: Are the Jewish people of today truly the covenant people of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
Baleston traces the Jewish story through Scripture, history, and even modern genetics to show that God’s promises have never been revoked. 
The Jewish people remain central to His plan of redemption, not as spiritual relics, but as living proof that God keeps His word. 
This isn’t just about disproving bad history - it’s about recovering biblical clarity for the Church and real love for Israel.
Key Takeaways
The Khazar theory is a debunked 20th-century myth rooted in antisemitism, not scholarship.
Scripture defines Jewish identity through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - not conspiracy or culture.
There have always been Jews in the Land of Israel - always.
Modern DNA studies (Stanford & Wayne State) confirm genetic continuity with ancient Israel.
The myth that “the Church replaced Israel” contradicts Romans 11, where Paul warns Gentile believers not to boast.
Being “chosen” is not about superiority - it’s about responsibility to reveal God’s glory to the nations.
Every believer has a calling: to reject antisemitism and stand with God’s eternal covenant people.
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome & intro to Mottel Baleston
03:20 – The real question: Are modern Jews biblical Israel?
08:15 – Who is a Jew? Scripture’s definition
10:30 – The three Jewish diasporas: Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi
18:40 – The rise of the Khazar myth
26:00 – DNA, history, and debunking conspiracy
36:00 – The spiritual roots of antisemitism
45:00 – God’s covenant faithfulness in Romans 11
48:30 – Where to learn more from Mottel Baleston
Explore more resources and join the journey at thejewishroad.com.Dive deeper into Mottel Baleston’s teaching at messiahnj.org or on YouTube by searching “Mottel Baleston”- and discover how God’s promises to Israel still shape our faith today.

Why Is Israel Back in the Land if They Don't Believe? (featuring Stephen Briggs)

Why would God restore Israel to the Land if they don’t believe in Jesus? That’s the question many Christians wrestle with - and the one Ezekiel 36 answers head-on.
In this wide-ranging conversation with filmmaker and Bible teacher Stephen Briggs of Hatikva Films, we explore the prophetic timeline of Israel’s restoration, the continuity of God’s covenant with Abraham, and the flaws in replacement theology that blur the story of Scripture. 
Together we trace how the Hebrew nuances of Genesis 12, the promises of Ezekiel 36, and the disciples’ question in Acts 1 all reveal the same truth: God’s faithfulness comes before Israel’s faith.
Stephen shares insights from life in Jerusalem, stories from the “Blessing, Curse, or Coincidence” film series, and a clear-eyed view of what God is doing in our generation. 
Whether we’re talking about prophecy, politics, or discipleship, the message is the same - the restoration of Israel is the greatest evidence that God keeps His promises.
Key Takeaways
God’s covenant with Israel is unconditional and still active.
Ezekiel 36 sets the divine order: regather first, renew next.
Israel’s unbelief magnifies God’s grace, not His absence.
Replacement theology collapses when read against Scripture’s storyline.
Modern Israel’s return is the stage for future spiritual renewal.
Believers are invited to pray, comfort, give, and go.
God’s faithfulness to Israel confirms His faithfulness to us.
Chapter Markers 00:00 – Cold open + welcome 02:10 – Introducing Stephen Briggs: filmmaker, Jerusalem resident 07:35 – God’s faithfulness and the modern return of Israel 13:20 – Genesis 12 and the Hebrew meaning of “bless” and “curse” 18:55 – Ezekiel 36: the order of restoration and renewal 26:40 – The flaw in replacement theology 33:25 – The “Israel Effect” and history’s witness 39:45 – Acts 1: the disciples’ question and God’s timeline 47:10 – Practical response: pray, comfort, give, go 52:00 – Closing reflections and resources
If you’ve never seen the Bible in full color, it’s time to walk the ancient paths yourself. Join us in Israel this March 21–31 and experience the story where it all began. Stand where the prophets spoke, where Yeshua walked, and where God’s promises are still unfolding. Space is limited - visit thejewishroad.com/israel to learn more and reserve your spot.
Want to see how God’s promise to bless those who bless Israel is playing out in history? Watch the full film America and the Israel Effect - free from Revelation Media. Go to get.revelationmedia.org/watchtheisraeleffect.
To explore more of Stephen Briggs’ work and the Blessing, Curse, or Coincidence series, visit israel-matters.com or follow the Israel Matters podcast on YouTube and Spotify.

Will "All Israel" Be Saved? (featuring Dr. Michael Brown)

Why did Paul end his masterpiece in Romans with a promise that “all Israel will be saved”? What does that mean - and has it already happened, or is it still to come?
In this wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Michael Brown, author of Our Hands Are Stained with Blood and host of The Line of Fire, we trace how Romans 9–11 reveals the continuity of God’s plan for Israel and the nations. 
Dr. Brown unpacks Paul’s argument verse by verse, explains why replacement theology opened the door to antisemitism in church history, and clarifies how “all Israel” refers to a future national turning to Messiah - not merely a cumulative remnant.
We also talk about the surge of antisemitism after October 7, the confusion in the modern church, and why believers must recover a biblical vision of Israel’s role in redemptive history. This isn’t a side issue. It’s the center of the gospel’s story of mercy.
Key Takeaways
Romans 11 completes the gospel logic: if Israel’s rejection brought salvation to the world, her acceptance will bring life from the dead.
“All Israel” means a future national turning, not just a historical remnant.
The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable - for Israel and for the Church.
Replacement theology helped pave the way for centuries of antisemitism.
Understanding Israel clarifies the gospel’s continuity from Abraham to today.
The Church’s calling is to provoke Israel to envy, not erase her identity.
God’s covenant faithfulness guarantees Israel’s future redemption.
Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro + welcome to Dr. Michael Brown 05:00 – Antisemitism and replacement theology after October 7 09:30 – Romans 9–11 overview - Paul’s logic for Israel’s future 15:40 – “All Israel will be saved”: what Paul actually meant 18:00 – Grafted in vs. replaced - understanding the olive tree 24:00 – How the Church lost its Jewish roots 31:00 – The rise of antisemitism in a TikTok generation 36:00 – What believers can do now - pray, speak, stand 44:00 – Dr. Brown’s upcoming debates & resource
Romans 11 ends with worship because God’s mercy story ends in faithfulness. “All Israel will be saved” is not wishful thinking - it’s covenant reality. Listen to the full episode, explore more resources at The Jewish Road, join our Israel trip (March 21–31), and become one of The Few who help us bring clarity to the Church and comfort to Israel.

Still Chosen: Has One Verse Erased God's Covenant?

For centuries, a single line from Paul’s letter to the Romans - “not all Israel is Israel” - has been used to rewrite the story of God’s faithfulness. 
But was Paul really declaring that the Church replaced Israel? Or was he weeping over his people, trusting that God’s promises still stand?
This episode takes a deep look into Romans 9–11 and Galatians 6, unpacking what Paul meant by “the Israel of God” and how a single mistranslated conjunction has shaped two millennia of confusion. 
We’ll explore the grief behind Paul’s words, the endurance of God’s covenants, and the modern drift that has led Christians to read prophecy as poetry and Israel’s story as metaphor.
As anti-Semitism rises and theology grows foggy, it’s time to recover what the Apostle Paul never meant to erase: that Israel’s unbelief doesn’t cancel God’s faithfulness - it magnifies it.
Key Takeaways
Paul’s “anguish and unceasing sorrow” in Romans 9 reveals grief, not rejection.
“Not all Israel is Israel” distinguishes the nation from its remnant, not Israel from the Church.
God’s covenants - Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New - remain active and irrevocable.
“The Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16) refers to Jewish believers, not the Church replacing Israel.
Translation shifts like changing “and” to “even” have fueled replacement theology.
The Church’s inclusion in God’s plan never meant Israel’s exclusion.
When we forget Israel, we lose the storyline of our own salvation.
Chapter Markers (Approximate)
00:00 – Why “Not All Israel Is Israel” Is Misunderstood
05:00 – Paul’s Heartbreak and the Faithfulness of God
14:00 – Israel’s Covenants Still Stand
22:00 – The Real Meaning of “The Israel of God”
30:00 – How History and Translation Warped the Story
40:00 – Why This Matters for the Church Today
46:00 – God’s Faithfulness and the Invitation to Clarity
God’s promises to Israel were never revoked - they’re being fulfilled before our eyes. The story of redemption still runs through Jerusalem. Don’t just listen - learn to read Scripture the way Paul wrote it: with tears in your eyes and hope in your heart.
Explore more resources at thejewishroad.com, join us on the journey to Israel, or become one of The Few - standing with us as we help the Church make sense of God’s story for Israel and the nations.

Transformed by the Messiah (featuring Rabbi Jason Sobel)

The story of Jesus doesn’t begin in Bethlehem - it begins in Genesis. Rabbi Jason Sobel joins us to explore how the whole Bible, from creation to new creation, points to one Messiah and one redemptive plan. His new book, Transformed by the Messiah, invites readers to rediscover the power of Scripture as one seamless narrative rather than two disconnected halves.
In this episode, we trace how the Hebrew Scriptures set the stage for the Gospel: Joseph’s betrayal and restoration, the feasts that frame the Kingdom, and the prophetic rhythms that pulse beneath every New Testament page. Jason shows how the Messiah fulfills - not replaces - Israel’s story, inviting both Jew and Gentile into God’s covenant promises.
We also talk about how this restored vision transforms how we live - rooted in God’s faithfulness, connected to His appointed times, and awakened to a Messiah who holds all of Scripture together. The goal isn’t to add something new but to recover what’s been there all along: the unity, beauty, and coherence of God’s Word from beginning to end.
Key Takeaways
The Bible tells one continuous story of redemption, not two separate Testaments.
Transformed by the Messiah helps readers see how every part of Scripture points to Yeshua.
The Old Testament provides the framework; the New Testament reveals the fulfillment.
Joseph’s life foreshadows Messiah’s rejection, suffering, and ultimate reconciliation.
The biblical feasts - especially Sukkot - reveal the shape of God’s Kingdom plan.
Seeing Jesus through His Jewish context restores depth and meaning to our faith.
Transformation in Messiah is holistic: spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical - reflecting God’s shalom.
Chapter Markers
00:00—Welcome & Israel tour crossover 01:17—Rabbi Jason’s encounter and journey to Yeshua 08:02—Bridging Old and New without “strange fruit” 15:28—Transfiguration and Sukkot explained 20:02—Numbers, gematria, and the “vav” 27:31—Behind the scenes of The Chosen 32:50—Living Jewish after Oct 7 38:58—Simchat Torah and hostages timing 41:52—Sukkah vs. “roof” (Gog) insight 47:27—End-times drift and loving Israel’s Messiah 49:36—From information to formation: practices 54:15—Book release details & where to find it 57:52—Pre-order and why it matters 58:20—Shalom and close
This episode invites you to read the whole Bible in high definition - seeing Yeshua where the story has always pointed. Explore more resources at The Jewish Road, dive deeper through Fusion Global at fusionglobal.org, and pre-order Rabbi Jason Sobel’s new book, Transformed by the Messiah, to experience how the Jewishness of Jesus brings Scripture - and your life - into full color.