1 I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. 2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.
REFLECTIONS
Written by Jess Chow
Yesterday’s passage from the end of Romans 8 gave us the assurance that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. That is such a comforting and uplifting truth, particularly in times of hardship.
But in today’s passage, Paul’s tone shifts to one of sorrow as he thinks about his fellow Jews, the people of Israel, who have rejected Christ Jesus as Lord and do not share in that truth with Paul. He’s so filled with anguish he even goes as far as to say he wishes he could sacrifice himself and endure separation from Christ for their sake – if it would lead to their salvation. This is quite extreme! I take it that Paul is speaking hypothetically, since he has just reminded us in the previous chapter that nothing can separate us from Christ. But what is clear is the depth of Paul’s love and longing for the Jews to know and believe in Jesus, their own Messiah.
In the rest of Romans 9 Paul will go on to discuss God’s sovereignty in election, something Christians often refer to as ‘predestination’. Sometimes predestination can seem like a bit of a cold theological idea. You might be tempted to think that, because God is sovereign and chooses whomever He chooses, there’s no point in making the effort to evangelise. I can’t do anything about God’s choice, so I can just go about my own life concerned with my own salvation, not anybody else’s.
But that is completely the wrong way to think. For Paul, knowing that God predestines some to salvation doesn’t lead him to indifference about the Jewish people. He doesn’t wipe his own hands clean since it’s in God’s hands. Instead, knowing God’s sovereignty actually pushes him towards a deep compassion for his people and a self-sacrificial desire that they would know the Christ who proceeds from their bloodline. Is there anyone I would say that I could wish to sacrifice my own salvation for, that I would do whatever is humanly possible to help them know Jesus? This is certainly a challenge. I pray that God would grant me a deep heart to see the lost saved!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.