4/29/10 Romans 9
The Passion of Paul
(Ro 9:3)3For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
Paul here demonstrates for us all a passion for people that is only exceeded by Christ himself. Paul is extremely burdened as verse 2 states having “great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart” for what? For his fellow countrymen that have rejected Christ substitutionary work for their sakes. Paul understands acutely the results of someone who rejects Christ. Paul is so desirous that his fellow countrymen, who have been entrusted with so many blessings from God, would not continue to reject Christ that he wishes himself to be separated from Christ. This is an awesome and humbling statement. To genuinely desire others to benefit at the expense of self is core characteristic of Christianity. We should marvel at the love and concern that Paul had for people in general but here specifically his people, the Israelites.
Moses similarly desired a passion for his countrymen by asking God to blot him out of the book, simply meaning to die. He did this because of the Israelites grievous sin when they made golden calf in Exodus 32. Yet Paul seems to go a step beyond by wishing himself to be accursed and separated from Christ. Paul had knowledge about the afterlife and the eternal consequences that that Moses did not. What amazing passion Paul had for his fellow man.
Oh! that we would have passion for people like Paul. We would be moved from a casual nodding of the head about others spiritual needs to a bent knee of intercession pleading for them and willing to respond to any and all opportunities that God provides.
Prayer: Father, I know just a small portion of what Paul had express as “great sorrow and unceasing grief” My heart aches for those who do not know the truth, for those who have rejected the truth, and for those who have embraced the truth but are not currently walking in the truth. I am afraid to ask for a greater passion, because I believe that a greater sorrow is attached, but I ask you to overcome me fear. Help me to be like Paul who allowed his passion for people to motivate him further to love and good works toward them. Above all transform me to resemble Jesus in his love for humanity at the exclusion of gratifying self, in Jesus name. Amen.