What if the way we’ve been taught to read the Bible is missing something essential?

In this episode, Sebastiaan Van Wessem shares his journey from traditional church growth thinking into a deeper rediscovery of Scripture’s Jewish foundation. What began as personal tension turned into a theological shift that reframed everything.

At the center of that shift is a concept called restorationism - the idea that God’s plan has always been to restore Israel, the nations, and ultimately all of creation.

This conversation invites listeners to step into a bigger story - one that connects Genesis to Revelation and challenges how we understand the Gospel itself.

• The Gospel is more than personal salvation - it’s about restoration of all things
• The book of Acts reveals a pattern of restoration, not just mission strategy
• Israel’s role in Scripture is central, not optional
• Replacement theology continues to shape modern thinking
• The early believers understood the Gospel within a Jewish framework
• The “one new man” requires humility and theological recalibration
• Restoration begins now, not just in the future

00:00 – Introduction and background 02:00 – The catalyst for questioning long-held beliefs 06:00 – Rediscovering the Jewish roots of Scripture 10:00 – The influence of Michael Heiser and shifting theology 14:00 – Auschwitz, history, and theological weight 18:00 – What is restorationism? 22:00 – The book of Acts as a restoration blueprint 28:00 – Israel, the nations, and the Gospel 34:00 – One new man and the challenge of unity 42:00 – Overcoming replacement theology 50:00 – Practical steps toward reconciliation 57:00 – Final reflections and future hope

If this conversation stirred something in you, don’t leave it there.

Visit https://thejewishroad.com for more conversations that reconnect Scripture, Israel, and the bigger story of the Gospel.

To learn more about Sebastiaan Van Wessem’s work, you can explore his book All Things Restored - available on Amazon - and connect with his ministry through https://kngdmalliance.org, where you’ll also find details about upcoming gatherings in Europe.

Take a step beyond listening. Read. Engage. Show up if you can.

Because this story isn’t just meant to be understood - it’s meant to be lived.

Why do so many people disengage from the Old Testament - especially books like Leviticus?

In this episode, Brianna Tittel shares her journey from a struggling faith to a deeper understanding of Scripture as a unified story. What began as frustration turned into discovery when she realized Jesus was reading the Bible very differently than she was.

Through that lens, even Leviticus begins to open up - not as an outdated law code, but as a central part of the Gospel story.

This conversation invites listeners to rethink assumptions, reconnect the story, and rediscover the Jewish foundation of faith.

• The Bible is one unified story, not two disconnected parts
• Jesus read the Hebrew Scriptures differently than most modern readers
• Leviticus is central, not optional, to understanding the Gospel
• The Torah is God’s instruction, not an outdated system
• Replacing or erasing leads to theological confusion
• The Church has often lost connection to its Jewish roots
• Rediscovery begins with humility and curiosity

00:00 – Introduction and connection 02:00 – Brianna’s faith journey and crisis 05:00 – The question that changed everything 08:00 – Discovering the Jewish roots of Scripture 11:00 – Why Leviticus matters 15:00 – Jesus and fulfillment of the Torah 19:00 – Living out the Torah today 23:00 – Jews, Gentiles, and the one new man 27:00 – Why the Church needs this conversation 32:00 – Writing the book and future vision

Visit thejewishroad.com to explore more conversations that reconnect Scripture, Israel, and the Jewish roots of the faith.

To learn more about Brianna Tittel and her book The Forgotten Gospel, and to engage with her writing and teaching, connect with her through her website and available resources. Listening, learning, and sharing are simple ways to step deeper into the story.

In a world flooded with information, why does truth feel harder to find?

Hillel Fuld shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to one of the most recognizable voices advocating for Israel in the digital space.

After October 7th, everything changed. What was once a growing business became a mission to bring clarity in the middle of confusion.

This episode explores the deeper battle behind the headlines - the fight for narrative, the spread of misinformation, and the responsibility each of us carries in shaping what others believe.

• Narrative often shapes perception more than facts alone
• Trust, once built, creates influence that can’t be ignored
• Misinformation spreads faster when it’s simple and emotional
• Israel’s story is often distorted when removed from historical context
• Social media gives everyone a voice, whether they use it or not
• Truth requires intentional effort, not passive consumption
• Influence is not about size of audience, but clarity of message

00:00 – Introduction and Hillel’s background 02:00 – From tech to advocacy after October 7th 04:00 – The importance of narrative in modern conflict 06:00 – Misconceptions about Israel 08:00 – Influencers, media, and misinformation 11:00 – America’s role and shifting perspectives 14:00 – Christian Zionism and shared values 16:00 – Why Israel matters historically and spiritually 18:00 – Aliyah and returning to Israel 21:00 – Resilience in the face of conflict 23:00 – Using your voice in today’s world

Visit thejewishroad.com for more conversations, resources, and biblical context around Israel and the Jewish people. To follow Hillel Fuld’s work and stay up to date with his real-time insights and advocacy, connect with him across his platforms online. Listening and engaging are simple ways to stay informed and be part of the conversation.

What do Iranians actually think about what’s happening right now?

In this powerful and personal conversation, Shah Afshar offers a rare insider perspective on life under the Iranian regime and the current conflict involving Israel and the United States. His story challenges assumptions and brings clarity to a complex moment.

But this isn’t just political. It’s deeply personal and spiritual. Shah reflects on oppression, hope, and what it means to hold both justice and compassion at the same time.

This episode invites listeners to move beyond headlines and into a deeper understanding of people, faith, and the possibility of freedom.

• Many Iranians oppose the current regime and long for change
• The Iranian people and the government are not the same
• Cultural and religious narratives deeply shape perception
• War creates both hope for freedom and grief for loss
• Faith plays a central role in how people interpret current events
• The church in Iran is growing, but with complexity
• Understanding requires listening beyond headlines

00:00 – Introduction and current global context 02:00 – Life under the Iranian regime 05:00 – Why the world is paying attention now 08:00 – The reality of Iranian public sentiment 11:00 – War, justice, and moral tension 13:00 – The growing church in Iran 16:00 – Faith, freedom, and spiritual awakening 18:00 – Shah’s personal story and ministry 21:00 – Jews, Christians, and shared identity 24:00 – Hope for Iran’s future

Visit thejewishroad.com for more conversations, resources, and biblical insight into Israel, Iran, and the Middle East.

What happens when emergency responders become targets?

In this gripping conversation, Uri Shacham of Magen David Adom shares what it means to serve on the front lines of Israel’s most intense moments.

From the horrors of October 7th to ongoing missile attacks, Uri brings listeners into the real-time tension of responding to crisis while under threat.

But beneath the chaos is something deeper. A calling. A shared mission that transcends background, belief, and fear. Thousands of volunteers across Israel step into emergencies not because it’s safe, but because it matters.

This episode is a raw and honest look at courage under fire, the power of preparation, and the quiet strength of people committed to saving lives no matter the cost.

• Magen David Adom serves as Israel’s national ambulance and blood service
• 90% of its 39,000 responders are volunteers from diverse backgrounds
• Medical care begins within seconds of an emergency call
• October 7th introduced unprecedented danger, including targeted attacks on responders
• Responders often treat neighbors, friends, and their own communities
• Preparedness and training are central to national resilience
• Even in war, humanitarian work extends beyond borders to help others globally

00:00 – Introduction and current global context 02:00 – What Magen David Adom does 06:00 – Uri’s personal journey into emergency service 10:00 – Unity across diverse communities in Israel 12:00 – October 7th: what changed 16:00 – Responding under fire and targeted attacks 20:00 – Building resilience after tragedy 24:00 – Ethical decisions in crisis zones 28:00 – Stories of courage and sacrifice 32:00 – Support from global partners 36:00 – Current conflict with Iran 40:00 – Faith, miracles, and hope

Visit thejewishroad.com to explore more conversations, biblical insight, and resources connected to Israel and the Jewish roots of the faith.

And to learn more about Uri Shacham’s work with Magen David Adom, or to support their mission of saving lives in Israel, visit savinglivesinisrael.org. Both are simple ways to stay engaged and respond in a meaningful way.

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a year of challenge, recovery, and renewed calling.

In this special episode, we uncover the ancient story behind Hanukkah - and how it points to the greater miracle still to come.

From a dreidel in ancient Greece to divine doors opening in modern Israel, we explore how God’s covenant faithfulness continues to unfold before our eyes.

The Jewish Road is stepping into a new partnership with the government of Israel - helping tell her story to the nations and helping the church understand its part in that story.

Along the way, we share updates on health, hope, and the incredible ways God is still writing the story of His people.

Key Takeaways:

• The dreidel tells more than a children’s story - it proclaims that “a great miracle happened there” and points to the greater one still to come.
• Hanukkah reminds us that God always preserves His people, even when the world plots their end.
• Prophets like Zechariah foresaw a coming deliverance that’s still future and messianic.
• God’s pattern of deliverance is consistent - He always raises a redeemer for Israel.
• A new partnership with Israel’s government opens opportunities to help tell her story faithfully to the church.
• The global church must rediscover its calling to stand with the Jewish people in truth and love.
• God’s faithfulness to Israel guarantees His faithfulness to us; the story is not over.

Chapter Markers: 00:00 – A Year-End Reflection 04:10 – Redeeming the Dreidel 10:15 – “A Great Miracle Will Happen Again” 17:30 – Ron’s Health Update and God’s Mercy 25:00 – A Divine Opportunity with Israel 34:45 – Helping Israel Tell Her Story 42:00 – The Call of “The Few” 48:00 – Closing Blessing: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

God’s promises to Israel are alive and unfolding before our eyes. Join us in standing with the covenant people of God - explore more resources at thejewishroad.com, come to Israel with us, and be one of The Few who help tell this story to the world.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.