Romans 9:1-5 (NRSV)
Read Romans 9:1-5 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 9I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit- Verse 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. Verse 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. Verse 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; Verse 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Devotion
As he writes to the Christians at Rome, Paul speaks of his deep grief and longing for his Jewish brothers and sisters, part of God’s chosen people, who seem unable to see the way God’s promises to their ancestors have been fulfilled in the good news of Jesus as their promised Messiah. In spite of this sorrow, Paul continues to preach the good news of Jesus as God’s promised Messiah and now extends that preaching also to the Gentiles.
Who do we know that still has difficulty hearing or accepting the good news of Jesus the Christ? Maybe someone who has not had the blessing of having been brought up within the church? Maybe someone who has drifted away from the church, no longer quite trusting God’s promise of forgiveness for all sinners? What do we do when we grieve for them, but still wish to affirm our continuing trust in the promises of God?
Prayer
God of all people, guide us through our relationships with all your people that we may both live and speak your Word. Amen.