1 With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. 2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. 4 They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. 5 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Heart For Others
I think this is one of the most convicting passages in the Bible. What? You didn’t pick up on that? Perhaps you should read it again. Only this time, watch for how much Paul cares about his people. His love for them is so deep, that he even suggests that he would be willing to sacrifice his own relationship with Christ if it would bring them to Jesus.
It reminds me of Abraham when he pleads with God to spare the city of Sodom (Genesis 18). Abraham knows that Sodom is wicked and the people have completely rejected God, and yet he cries out for their lives.
I’ve sat with parents who weep over the choices their children have made. They tell me they’d do anything to see their child turn back to God. There is nothing they would not give up. As the tears fall down their cheeks, they’d ask me for answers. How can they cause their child to surrender to God?
In all these cases, we find individuals who care so deeply for the salvation of others that they are willing to risk everything. They do anything for the sake of another. And yet, ever person must choose for themselves. Paul could not force the Jewish people to turn their lives over to Christ. Abraham could not find even ten righteous in Sodom, and children must choose to serve God on their own.
What convicts me in this passage is the heart that Paul has for others. It’s the heart that God has for me (and you). A heart that cares so deeply, he sent his only son to die on a cross. He gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be free. And yet, even God can’t (or wont) force us to serve him. He gives us the choice to receive the love that is behind his sacrifice, or to reject it.
Do I care that deeply? Do I ever weep over those in my nation who are lost without Christ? Do I cry out to God to save them? Or do I go about my daily life hardly ever thinking about their need for God. Yes, Paul’s heart in this passage convicts me.
My prayer: Lord, I know that far too often I am caught up with my own life. I focus on the life of my family and my church. And, I do think about those you have called us to reach. But do I feel the way Paul felt? The way Abraham did? Not very often. Forgive me. I want my heart to beat with passion for the same things your heart does. And at the top of that list is a passion for the lost. Those who have yet to experience your grace. Help me to love others the way you loved me. Amen.
Until tomorrow.
