Paul is here grieving because his own people have failed to receive the goodnews of jesus christ. He longs for his people to accept the promise with Christ fulfills. This was a burden which Paul carried. He believed that Christ has come to fulfill all that God had promised to the people yet they found it hard to believe. Christ had come and set the free from the law and yet it was the law which they so depratesly clinged . "If Christ has set you freedom, you are indeed free.
Is anyone else considering this passage? The struggle of the Jews is depicted in Jacob's (Israel's) struggle at Peniel in this week's Old Testament passage. But what is the Gospel message in this this?
In light of Jacob's experience why not continue the reading further into the passage where Paul talks more explicitly about aurguing with God? And doesn't he represent here a more timid approach than Jacob? Or even Abraham? Are we be told to sit back and accept whatever we get handed?
pHil
I think the gospel here is proclaimed from Paul's heartfelt wish that his people might know thw grace of God through Jesus Christ, which he has preached in the first 8 chapters of Romans. His desire for their salvation is so strong, he would cut himself off from Christ if they could be in Christ. Of course, the words he so beautifully put forward at the end of chapter 8 precludes this (nothing can separate us from God's love!). I think this is good news because what Paul exhibits here is Christian love - he feels for his people, not just with his own affections for them but with the heart of Jesus himself! This is just what Jesus did! He allowed himself to be cut off from his Father and, in many church traditions, actually descended to hell! (The original version of the Apostles' Creed includes the words, "He descended to the dead (or, "into hell"). And he did this for us, and for all the lost sinners on the earth. Because of Christ's work, there is hope for all, even the Jews who rejected him. This is good news! Instead of focusing on the question concerning the fate of the Jewish people, I intend to focus on the love of Christ being manifested here in the believer Paul. Grace & Peace to all, and have a great Sunday! Ken in WV.
Paul, somewhat like Moses (Ex.32:32), pleas for his people. However, Paul displays a deeper love (that is the gospel message here). Jesus said," No greater thing can be done than to lay down one's lfe for a friend" (para). Paul does not offer to be blotted out with the people as Moses did, he instead wanted to trade his salvation for his lost brothers. This is the gospel message of laying down one's life for love Jesus refers to. Paul is so upset about the rejection of Christ by his people he is torn to tears. Sounds like Jesus in the garden? You bet! Paul' main point in this chapter is to focus on the fact that the Jews are not special because the are elect, they are special in the fact that they believe in a God that elects them to be His people. But being of the correct blood-line, or denomination, or coler is not the criteria God uses in determinne His elect. God used a little know quality called "faith" to determine who is to be elected and predistined to be called children of God. Paul is upset because his people cannot see this fact and rest their salvation of law righteousness and not by grace. God will be merciful to whom God wills and God's determining factor of grace is faith. Only God knows how to measure that, people do not have what it takes to judge others by grace without Christ. -ENC-Tx
Maybe, it is about trying to find in their jewish heritage, like in a meal or the little things that we get, That satisfaction in spite of God and his Grace. I think the idea of consider their heritage, a warranty for salvation is as much deceiveful as the one that it is trying to satisfy their spiritual hunger with mere junky food. Antonio Cabello