July 31st Reflection by Bill Lynch

Romans 9:1-5
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For 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. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Reflection
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. He has collected some gifts from the Gentile churches and is headed to Jerusalem with these gifts from the Gentiles. The reality of the situation in Jerusalem is that not a large percentage at all have believed in the idea of Jesus as the Messiah. Not many Jewish Christians to this point. So, Paul is going to Jerusalem and the Christians in this city are not a large percentage of the total population. Paul's confidence is a little low at this time. Paul needs some courage for the journey. Paul needs to focus on what is important. Paul needs the Truth.

Paul reaches back into the faith that the Holy Spirit has built in him. The Israelites themselves were gifted and blessed by God... yes, chosen by God to be God's people. They were chosen not due to any action that they performed but rather chosen because God has all the rights to choose. In a sense the Israelites were adopted by God. And this is the argument that Paul intends to make while in Jerusalem meeting with the Christian leaders.

Gentiles also now have been adopted as God's chosen. They have been adopted not because they can or will follow the Law of God handed down through Moses. They will fail at keeping the Law just as the Israelites have failed to follow the Law. The Gentiles have been adopted as God's chosen through the blood of Jesus. Jesus life, ministry, teachings, suffering, death and resurrection have permitted all people access to God through Jesus. The Gentiles are now also chosen by God to be in God's fold as well as the Israelites.

Yes, the Israelites were truly blessed by God... but the Gentiles also now have been blessed by God through Jesus. This is the focus and the confidence and the message that Paul must take to Jerusalem. And the Holy Spirit continues to lead Paul and this message forward into eternity.

This message of Paul is not only for Paul's time... but lives on through you and through me into eternity.

Thanks be to God!

Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

Prayer
Lord, keep me focused on your message for all the people, that I may proclaim your truth and not my imagination... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen.