The Jesus I Know 10-Day DevotionalSample

Messenger of the Messiah: A Conversation with Rabbi Jason Sobel

Kathie Lee





I first met Rabbi Jason Sobel at Christmastime in Manhattan—my least favorite time of year in New York City because of the frenzy and the spiritual emptiness of the secular celebration. Rabbi Jason explained, meticulously and profoundly, the actual biblical account of the Messiah’s birth. That was a life-transforming day, and he continues to illuminate the truth of the Scriptures and keep the fire of faith blazing in my heart. This is Rabbi Jason’s story with Jesus.

Rabbi Jason



Our family was a living legacy of Holocaust survivors. I grew up with a rich understanding of my identity as a Jew. Yet in the infinite wisdom of my youth, I wound up hanging out with the high school DJ and drug dealer. I dropped out of high school, partying with a rough crowd in New York City and getting into trouble. Eventually, I found myself working in a large music recording studio in New York City where many rock and rap stars recorded. They had fame and fortune, everything I thought I wanted, but when I looked at their lives, it was very clear they were not happy. I realized there has to be more to life. That was when I began my spiritual journey. I became a New Age Jew. I was looking for a genuine encounter with God.

One day, I was meditating, and my soul began to vibrate, and it left my body. The next thing I knew, I saw this King, high and lifted up on a throne surrounded by glorious light. I felt His love and His power pulsating through every cell in my body. The King began to speak to me, and I knew the King on the throne was Yeshua-Jesus and that He had chosen me. I was so elated, ecstatic, excited, and enamored by the fact that God wanted to use me.

My best friend, John, attended a Messianic congregation. He introduced me to Isaiah 53 and I had to know more about Jesus. I attended the congregation and was led in a prayer for salvation. I was given a New Testament with the Messianic prophecies in it. When I read it I was blown away by the Jewishness of Jesus, the power of His words, and the fulfillment of all the promises from the Hebrew Scriptures. I also experienced the power of prayer, just like I read in the book of Acts, to heal people. I knew that no one was going to convince me that Yeshua isn’t the promised Messiah. 

Overnight, God began transforming me. My parents realized that my faith in Jesus didn’t make me less Jewish. All the traditions and holidays I had enjoyed as a kid now took on a new life and meaning. When my parents saw the change in my life, they became supportive of me. 

Since then, I have continued to study and learn, writing books such as Mysteries of the Messiah, and doing work in the Muslim world. It hasn’t been an easy journey with tough seasons of loss. God had to deconstruct me so He could build me back in a way that was healthy so I could truly become a new creation. This gave me the foundation for doing His work of bringing Jews and Gentiles together as an unstoppable worldwide force for transformation—and the importance of followers of Yeshua connecting Jesus to the festivals, traditions, and Old Testament teachings.

Respond

How is God’s Word key to deepening your walk with God?

What has God chosen you to do for Him?

What sacrifices are you willing to make to become part of God’s plan to transform the world?

Prayer

Yeshua-Jesus, You are the King of kings and Lord of lords, and yet, You chose to save and redeem me. Thank You for the transforming power of Your Word and the opportunity I have to study it, obey it and share it with those who need You so desperately. Amen.