Was the 20th century’s respected Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson the promised messiah of the Old Testament Scriptures? This is the question, among others, that Dr. Michael Brown explores in his book, Resurrection: Investigating a Rabbi From Brooklyn, a Preacher From Galilee, and an Event That Changed the World. In this book Dr. Brown shares the life and history of the influential Jewish Rabbi Schneerson and the implications his death had for his follower’s messianic expectancy. But that's not all.With his unique insight as a Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus), Dr. Brown respectfully contrasts and compares the Jewish messianism of Rabbi Schneerson’s followers with that of the 1st centuries Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth. Brown explores why Schneerson’s death and his follower’s reactions to that death were different (and in some cases similar) to the reactions of the New Testament’s accounts concerning Yeshua and His followers.With wit and well reasoned arguments, Dr. Brown challenges the reader to consider why the New Testament’s record of Yeshua’s - resurrection - is the foundational difference when compared to all other messianic claims, including those who believe Rabbi Schneerson was the messiah. I quote Dr. Brown:• “But as we have also seen, there is a massive difference between these two [messianic] movements [Schneerson & Yeshua of Nazareth], and it boils down to one word: resurrection. Only one of these potential Messiahs rose again.”Indeed, Dr. Brown quoting Paul in his letter to the Corinthian’s (Cor. 15:13-19) succinctly summed it up with the profound statement: “If Messiah has not been raised, your faith is futile…”. Dr. Brown goes on to show how over the millenniums there have been many who claimed such and such was a fulfillment of the Bible’s promised redeemer. Each of these messianic heroes have all come and gone – yet none have risen from the grave. Only the New Testament makes the bold claim that Yeshua rose from the grave and was seen by a multitude of witnesses before He returned to heaven.Dr. Brown argues to good effect that this is a foundational claim that makes the New Testament’s testimony about Yeshua as the promise messiah unique and important.Chapter 7: Rediscovering Israel’s Suffering and Rising Messiah was my favorite part of this book. In this great chapter Dr. Brown takes the reader through the Biblical passages that show how Israel’s promised redeemer is clearly described as both a suffering servant and reigning king. Here are a couple of quotes that demonstrate the important points made in this chapter and other places in the book:• “What then are we to make of these problems and apparent contradictions? The solution is really quite simple. The Messiah will fulfill dual roles – a lowly role and a triumphant role, a dying role and a ruling role. And in order to do both, he has to rise form the dead. It is as simple as it is profound.” (p. 42)• “This was the Messiah’s mission: not simply to come as godly teacher and powerful warrior, but to come first as the perfect substitute, the ideal atonement, the righteous one taking the place of a world of unrighteous ones. Messiah lived a perfect life to cover all of our imperfections. He died so we could live. He suffered so we could be forgiven. Then God raised Him from the dead so that we too could enjoy eternal life together with Him. And so. Rather than His death interrupting His mission, His death formed the foundation of His mission.” (p. 96)• “…He was killed as an essential part of His mission, part of His fulfilling the Torah’s requirement for blood sacrifices and atonement. (p. 127)* * *One aspect of this subject that personally trills me is the congruency of the Bible’s testimony of the messianic "suffering servant" and His mission to redeem mankind from their sins. As noted in the quote above and other places in the book, the New Testament proclaimed that Yeshua offered himself (once and for all) as the atonement sacrifice for mankind’s sins. In this way Yeshua fulfilled the righteous requirement of the Torah.Though not explained in this book, one of the most thrilling examples of this sacrificial redemptive symbolism is found in Matthew 1 and lineage of Yeshua. First, it is important to note that at the beginning of every month and for nearly each of the 7 Biblical holy day throughout the year, the Torah required Israel to perform sacrificial rites that included 13 or 14 sacrifices. Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot all required some combination of these sacrifices to make atonement for Israel’s sins.It’s no surprise then to see that the New Testament author Matthew arranged Yeshua’s generational listing to emphasis this symbolism. In Matthew 1, Yeshua’s lineage is described as three sets of 14 generations (14+14+14 = 42). Cleverly thought, as given, Matthew only listed 41 names (14+14+13 = 41), thus making Yeshua both the 13th and 14 generation. This symbolism is further emphasized by the fact that in order to make this symbolism work, Matthew left out 4 of Yeshua’s generations. One of these missing kings, Jehoiakim, who’s name means ”Yahweh raises up”, was left out between the 13th and 14th generation.This ingenious arrangement by Matthew not only connected Yeshua to the sacrificial symbolism of the Torah but by representing Yeshua as – two generations – both the 13th and 14 generation, Matthew confirmed the Old Testaments description of the Messiah as both a suffering servant and a reigning king. Yeshua, as the 13th – the suffering servant & atonement sacrifice also became the reigning king – the 14th generation after his resurrection. Keep in mind that king David , is the also represented as the 14th generation in Matthew 1. Congruent to say the least.This wonderful symbolism is also confirmed in Daniel 9, that famous messianic passage which tells of the “anointed” one who makes atonement for Israel’s sins. Awesomely this passage, as given in the Hebrew text is designed to emphasis the Bible’s sacrificial redemptive symbolism in a most compelling way. Astoundingly the numerical Hebrew word structure of Daniel 9 shows an intimate connection between the 70 Sevens and sacrificial/redemptive symbolism of 13 & 14. As many scholars have shown, a compelling case can be made that Yeshua of Nazareth precisely fulfilled this 70 Sevens prophecy, thus proving He was the Messiah promised in the Scriptures.* * *In closing, my thoughts aside, Dr. Browns book makes a compelling argument why the resurrection matters to the Jewish people, to Christians, and indeed to all mankind.The resurrection is the difference.Maranatha!