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
Paul is deeply grieved. He knows above all else that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power for salvation. Now it appears that his kindred in the faith, the Israelites, have rejected this life-giving gospel. He would give anything, even his own salvation, for their sake. His willingness to pay such an extreme price for the sake of others reflects the radical grace of the one who was willing to pay an unfathomable price for Paul’s salvation. Ultimately the fate of Paul’s kindred rests in God’s hands. Neither we nor Paul need to know the fate of those to whom we speak. Regardless of their fate we have but one hope to proclaim, the magnificent grace of Christ crucified, “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks – the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Prayer
God of Grace, your ability to save exceeds our ability to understand the salvation you freely give to us. Thank you for your mercy. By the power of your Holy Spirit, move us to proclaim the radical gospel of Christ crucified in all that we do and say. Amen.