Fr. Abraam Sleman's Blog

One of the most profound and challenging aspects of the Hebrew Scriptures is the portrayal of the Suffering Servant, a figure depicted in the writings of the prophet Isaiah. This image is often at odds with traditional expectations of a conquering Messiah who would bring political liberation and establish an earthly kingdom. In this chapter, we will explore the concept of the Suffering Servant, how it relates to the person of Jesus, and what it means for both Jews and Christians today. The Prophecy of the Suffering Servant The passages in Isaiah that describe the Suffering Servant are found primarily in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. This section of Scripture presents a striking contrast to the popular expectations of the Messiah. Instead of a triumphant ruler, the Suffering Servant is portrayed as one who is despised, rejected, and wounded for the transgressions of others. The opening verses of this passage introduce the Servant with the words: “Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will

The concept of the Kingdom of God is one of the most significant themes in the teachings of Jesus. For many Jewish people, the hope of a future kingdom where justice, peace, and righteousness prevail is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. This kingdom is anticipated as a time when God will restore Israel, defeat its enemies, and fulfill the promises made to His people. In this chapter, we will explore how Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God aligns with the Jewish expectations for restoration while inviting readers to consider the broader implications of His teachings for both Jews and Gentiles. The Jewish Hope for Restoration The hope for the restoration of Israel is a recurring theme throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel spoke of a time when God would gather His people from the nations, heal their wounds, and establish a New Covenant. For instance, Isaiah 11:10-12 foretells a time when the root of Jesse (referring to David) will stan

The lineage of Jesus as the Son of David is a cornerstone of both the Jewish expectation of the Messiah and the Christian understanding of Jesus’ identity. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the promise that a descendant of David would reign as king forever shapes the Messianic hopes of the Jewish people. In this chapter, we will explore the significance of Jesus as the Son of David, how His lineage fulfills the Davidic covenant, and what this means for both Jews and Christians today. The Davidic Covenant: A Promise of Eternal Reign The Davidic covenant is one of the key covenants in the Hebrew Scriptures, wherein God promises David that his throne will endure forever. This covenant is foundational for understanding the Jewish hope for a future Messiah. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, God speaks to David through the prophet Nathan, declaring: “When your days are fulfilled, and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up one of your seed after you, who will come forth from your own body,

The concept of covenant is foundational to understanding God’s relationship with Israel. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, God makes binding promises to His people, from the covenant with Abraham, through which Israel would be established as a great nation, to the covenant with Moses at Mount Sinai, which gave Israel the Torah, the moral and legal framework by which the people would live. Central to the Jewish faith is the belief that these covenants reflect God’s ongoing commitment to Israel and His promises of blessing, protection, and redemption. In this chapter, we will explore how Jesus’ mission is understood within the context of these sacred covenants. Jesus came not to abolish or replace the covenants but to fulfill them, particularly by bringing about the New Covenant foretold by the prophets. This chapter will examine the covenants God made with Israel and how Jesus’ life and teachings align with God’s promises to His people. The invitation here is to consider how Jesus, as

The expectation of a Messiah is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, forming a central part of the Jewish hope for redemption, justice, and the ultimate restoration of Israel. For centuries, Jews have looked to the promises made by the prophets, eagerly awaiting the one who would fulfill the covenants and usher in a reign of peace and righteousness. Within this sacred narrative lies the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah foretold in the תַּנַ"ךְ Tanakh (Old Testament). This chapter will explore key Messianic prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures and how Jesus fulfills these ancient promises. While interpretations of these prophecies differ between Judaism and Christianity, this chapter invites you to revisit the Scriptures and consider how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection align with the Messianic expectations of Israel. The goal here is to offer a thoughtful, respectful exploration of the belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to H

For centuries, the person of Jesus of Nazareth has been viewed in various ways—by Christians as the Messiah and the Son of God and by many Jews as either a respected teacher or, at times, a figure of controversy. What often gets lost in these discussions, however, is something fundamental: Jesus was Jewish. His identity, upbringing, teachings, and mission were deeply rooted in the traditions and Scriptures of Judaism. In fact, it’s impossible to fully understand who Jesus is or what He claimed without first recognizing that His Jewish heritage shaped everything about Him. This chapter will explore the Jewish identity of Jesus and how His life reflected His deep commitment to the Torah and the Hebrew Scriptures. It’s an invitation for Jewish readers to consider Jesus not as a figure disconnected from their faith but as someone who lived, breathed, and taught within the very context of Jewish tradition. A Child of the Covenant Jesus was born into a Jewish family in the first centur

This new book, Christ for the Jews , represents a significant step forward in presenting Jesus to the Jewish community. It is intended to offer an invitation to explore the message of the Gospel in a deeply personal way, grounded in the shared roots of Judaism and Christianity. The purpose of this book is to engage with the figure of Jesus not only from a historical or theological perspective but also through the lens of personal faith and reflection. Jesus of Nazareth continues to evoke profound questions, inspire hope, and transform lives. For Christians, He is the Messiah—the fulfillment of the prophecies and the bearer of salvation. However, for many within the Jewish community, Jesus often remains distant, viewed through historical, cultural, or theological frameworks that seem separate from the core of Jewish faith and tradition. I hope to help bridge that gap, offering an invitation to consider Jesus in a way that aligns with the rich heritage of Judaism while respecting the u

  لوقا ١٤: ٢٥-٣٢ [٢٥ وَكَانَ جُمُوعٌ كَثِيرَةٌ سَائِرِينَ مَعَهُ فَالْتَفَتَ وَقَالَ لَهُمْ: ٢٦ «إِنْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ يَأْتِي إِلَيَّ وَلاَ يُبْغِضُ أَبَاهُ وَأُمَّهُ وَامْرَأَتَهُ وَأَوْلاَدَهُ وَإِخْوَتَهُ وَأَخَوَاتِهِ حَتَّى نَفْسَهُ أَيْضاً فَلاَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لِي تِلْمِيذاً. ٢٧ وَمَنْ لاَ يَحْمِلُ صَلِيبَهُ وَيَأْتِي وَرَائِي فَلاَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لِي تِلْمِيذاً. ٢٨ وَمَنْ مِنْكُمْ وَهُوَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْنِيَ بُرْجاً لاَ يَجْلِسُ أَوَّلاً وَيَحْسِبُ النَّفَقَةَ هَلْ عِنْدَهُ مَا يَلْزَمُ لِكَمَالِهِ؟ ٢٩ لِئَلاَّ يَضَعَ الأَسَاسَ وَلاَ يَقْدِرَ أَنْ يُكَمِّلَ فَيَبْتَدِئَ جَمِيعُ النَّاظِرِينَ يَهْزَأُونَ بِهِ ٣٠ قَائِلِينَ: هَذَا الإِنْسَانُ ابْتَدَأَ يَبْنِي وَلَمْ يَقْدِرْ أَنْ يُكَمِّلَ. ٣١ وَأَيُّ مَلِكٍ إِنْ ذَهَبَ لِمُقَاتَلَةِ مَلِكٍ آخَرَ فِي حَرْبٍ لاَ يَجْلِسُ أَوَّلاً وَيَتَشَاوَرُ: هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يُلاَقِيَ بِعَشَرَةِ آلاَفٍ الَّذِي يَأْتِي عَلَيْهِ بِعِشْرِينَ أَلْفاً؟ ٣٢ وَإِلاَّ فَمَا دَامَ ذَلِكَ بَعِيداً يُرْسِلُ سَفَارَةً وَيَسْأَلُ مَا

  Isaiah’s prophecy of a future where nations turn to Yahweh for peace (Isaiah 2:4) resonates with today’s world, especially with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stated, “The U.S. is funding the Ukraine Government at $1 billion/month… and funding most of the war by providing weapons, ammo, and equipment.” Instead of fueling war, the U.S. should focus on negotiating peace. Isaiah’s vision of turning swords into plowshares reminds us that leaders, established by God (Rom 13:1), have a responsibility to promote peace, not prolong violence through military aid. True peace comes not from more weapons but from pursuing justice and reconciliation through diplomacy. Fr. Abraam Sleman #EndWarFunding #Isaiah24 #PeaceNotWar #DiplomacyFirst #JusticeOfYahweh #NoMoreWar #LeadForPeace #UkraineCrisis

  The Bible contains various principles and examples that can be interpreted in discussions about the security of national borders. The following verses address themes of national defense, the role of authorities, and the treatment of foreigners. Here are some relevant passages: 1. Nehemiah 4:6-9: Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem for protection reflect the importance of securing a community for safety: “So we rebuilt the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” 2. Romans 13:1-4: This passage emphasizes the ro