Two Routes to One Messiah
When Mark and Farryl married in 1988, they had no spiritual ambitions. In fact, it would be a year before Mark wrote to his Baptist born-again parents, informing them that that he had married, that his wife was Jewish and that, as they may have already guessed, he himself was not a Christian. Though he loved his parents, Mark had been living a separate and somewhat secret life for quite some time.
Farryl's parents had been divorced for many years, and each parent had remarried a non-Jew. For Farryl and her family, intermarriage was of no concern. However, the prospect of bringing her parents together for any occasion, and Mark's seeming ease with leaving his parents out of their plans, made the decision to elope appear the best choice.
A Shocking Change
When Mark's parents responded to his letter and some of the tension was relieved, Mark and Farryl visited them. They were welcomed warmly, and it all went well, even with some evangelizing. But they returned to their New York life and, as Farryl puts it, "shelved Jesus."
However, as time passed, Mark's parents' faith made an impression on her. She became so compelled by their belief in Jesus that, while Mark was away on business, she accepted Him as her Messiah.
Mark was astounded. It was rather shocking. "When Farryl told me, I actually thought she was joking. When I discovered that she was serious, I was not enthusiastic. I had run from God and my religious upbringing. Now there was this!"
The Messianic Difference
It was also very difficult for Farryl. "I can't deny that it created a strain on our marriage. As my spiritual awareness grew, I had to redefine my values and where the boundaries were for what I could or couldn't do. It was frustrating and confusing for both of us. Mark was supportive, though, and it helped that he liked all of the Messianic friends to whom I was introducing him. He even went with me to services from time to time."
Mark says, "I had a genuine interest in the perspective that Farryl's new ‘messianic' friends were offering. Their viewpoint on the connection between the New and the Old Testaments was something I had not understood while growing up. It made the message seem much more cohesive.
"I began to wonder if the God of my wife's belief was real, and if so, if He had a plan for me as well. It was hard for me to rethink my life; but in 1994 I, too, became a believer."
Since then, they have concentrated on exploring this new unexpected dimension of living. Farryl and Mark have three children, and enjoy celebrating the holidays at home. Farryl especially looks forward to Passover. "Mark does a terrific job leading the Seder. He's the most Jewish Gentile you'll ever meet."
