When the Messiah Comes: A Yom Kippur Conversation Between Stan and Steve

What It Takes Radio Company presents a special 10-minute program of clarity, curiosity, and a touch of charity. On the eve of Yom Kippur—the holiest day of the Jewish calendar—broadcaster Stan Hustad sat down with his longtime friend Steve Lear for a spirited and heartfelt conversation about faith, forgiveness, and what it means to live humbly in "the Days of Awe."

What began as an informal chat turned into a lively impromptu radio moment. Stan and Steve, one Christian and one Jew, took listeners into the heart of interfaith friendship. Their dialogue danced between humor, history, and hope, capturing the essence of what makes Yom Kippur both solemn and joyful.

A Story Worth Retelling

Steve recalled a moment shared years ago from Pastor John Hagee, who told of meeting Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin. Before their conversation, Rabin proposed an agreement:

"When the Messiah comes, we'll both go ask him—first time or been here before? Then we'll know. But until then, let's work together to repair the world."

That spirit of cooperation—seeking common ground while honoring differences—became the heartbeat of the program.

Wrestling With Faith

From there, the conversation explored the tension between knowing and not knowing. Christians often emphasize certainty, while Jews live comfortably with questions and mystery. Stan observed that true faith is not about certainty but about trust—moving forward even without all the answers. Steve added that this posture cultivates humility, forgiveness, and growth—the very themes at the core of Yom Kippur.

Things to Remember and Share

• Faith is not certainty. It is the courage to move without having all the answers.

• Never trust a man without a limp. Hardship, like Jacob's limp, is the mark of those who have wrestled with life and faith.

• Repairing the world is shared work. Whether Messiah has come or is yet to come, the call remains the same—make things right with God, with ourselves, and with others.

• Forgiveness is a gift to enjoy. Yom Kippur is not only about confession but also about the comfort of being forgiven.

A Call to Action

In just ten minutes, Stan and Steve modeled what many of us long for—respectful conversation across traditions, honest reflection on life's mysteries, and a shared determination to make the world better.

As you begin this new year, take time to forgive, to seek forgiveness, and to walk humbly—even with your own limp. And then, share this program with others who could use ten minutes of clarity and charity in their day.