When it comes to evangelism, many of us think about our neighbours, colleagues, or even strangers in the street. But what about the Jewish people? They were the first to receive God’s promises, the first to carry His message and yet, in many ways, they remain one of the most unreached groups when it comes to the gospel of Jesus.
It’s a sensitive space, though. Centuries of painful history between the church and the Jewish community mean we can’t just barge in with clichés and tracts. If we’re going to share Jesus with Jewish friends, it needs to come with humility, respect, and an awareness that faith in Jesus isn’t about “changing sides.” It’s about embracing the Messiah promised in their own Scriptures.
Remembering Jesus Is Jewish
It may sound obvious, but it’s worth saying, Jesus was Jewish. So were His disciples. Almost all of the New Testament was written by Jewish believers. As Romans 11 reminds us, Gentile believers are grafted into a tree whose roots are the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That means when we talk about the gospel, we’re not introducing a “foreign religion.” We’re pointing to the fulfilment of promises already given to Israel.
Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest examples. Written 700 years before Christ, it speaks of a suffering servant, rejected by His people, pierced for our transgressions, and yet bringing healing through His wounds. For many Jewish seekers, this passage has opened the door to considering Jesus as Messiah.
Shifting the Paradigm
One of the biggest mistakes Christians can make is telling Jewish people they need to “stop being Jewish” to follow Jesus. That’s simply not true. As Paul wrote in Romans 11:1, “Did God reject His people? By no means!” Believing in Jesus doesn’t erase Jewish identity; it fulfils it.
Instead of asking Jewish people to cross over into something foreign, we can show how the gospel is the continuation of their story. Saying something like, “I believe in your Messiah” reframes the conversation. It makes clear we’re grateful to the Jewish people for the Scriptures and for the Messiah Himself.
A Gospel of Unity
At its heart, the gospel brings Jew and Gentile together as one in Christ. Paul uses the picture of the olive tree in Romans 11, different branches, same root. In Ephesians 2:14, he says that Jesus has “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” That means when we share the good news with Jewish friends, it’s not about dragging them into “our” tradition but celebrating God’s bigger plan of oneness in Messiah.
Where to Start
So how do we take the gospel to Jewish people today? Start with friendship. Show respect for their heritage. Use Scripture wisely, especially from the Old Testament. Acknowledge the painful history and make it clear that Jesus never called His followers to reject or persecute His own people. And most importantly, pray for open hearts, for healing of old wounds, and for the Spirit to reveal Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Because at the end of the day, sharing Jesus with Jewish people isn’t about winning an argument. It’s about love. It’s about inviting them to meet the One who is both the hope of Israel and the Saviour of the world.
Watch our episode about Taking the Gospel to the Jewish People with Lawrence Hirsch
Check out a short video on Why Following Jesus is the Most Jewish Thing You Can Do
Share your stories of evangelism on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn), listen to The WIN WIN Evangelism Podcast, or email us at team@evangelisminaustralia.com.
