Flowers of the Son

Christians have been evangelizing Jews in the Holy Land since Pentecost, and today the bulk of that outreach is spearheaded by groups such as Jews for Jesus (JFJ). Flowers of the Son, a half-hour documentary from JFJ, tells the success stories of these modern evangelists, even in the face of stiff opposition—much like 2,000 years ago.

Most Jews in Jesus’ day rejected his claim of messiahship, and things are not much different today: An estimated 99.9 percent of the 5.7 million Jews in Israel do not know this same Jesus is the Messiah. Chalk it up to the secular nature of modern Israel, and to a campaign by Jewish leaders to suppress discussion of Jesus.

Here, award-winning filmmakers Herb and Amy Kossover deliver a professional, compelling look at a difficult and challenging subject. Preaching the gospel in the land of its origins means stiff opposition from ultrareligious Jews and indifference from many secular ones. The courage of the pioneering JFJ campaigners, of volunteers from around the world, and of those who respond positively is but one rewarding aspect of a look into something not widely known, but of great importance.