I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own [people]. (Romans 9:2–3, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Few, I think, would go as far as Paul to “wish [themselves] … cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of [their] brothers.” but what about feelings of “great sorrow and unceasing anguish in [their] heart?” Judging by much of what I read on social media, there are those who rather have feelings of great disgust and unceasing condemnation for those in the world who have not seen the light.
I think that Paul’s feelings are a greater reflection of Christ’s heart. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34, NIV 1984). Yet for their sake and ours, He allowed Himself to be “cursed and cut off from [the Father].”
My Advice – Do we truly have the heart of Paul and Christ for the sake of our people that have thus far rejected Christ and are following their sinful desires? Or do we “accuse, criticize and abuse” them? As we contemplate these questions, let us also consider “that is what [all] of [us] were. [Before we] were washed, [we] were sanctified, [we] were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV 1984). Perhaps some of us need to reconsider. I certainly need to constantly remind myself.
The Brew Is A Musing 