July 19, 2016

Romans 9:3 NKJV - "For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh."

Commentary:

How much do you love your loved ones?  Hard to measure that, isn't it?  Would you step in front of a moving train to push them out of the way and lose your life in the process?  Most of us would say, "Absolutely yes!"  In our Daily Verse Paul expresses his own self-sacrificing love he has for the Jewish people.  I believe he really meant it that he would "go to hell" if that would allow his countrymen to go to heaven! 

Remember what Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."  Paul was willing to show that "greater love" for the Jews.  And he's not the only one.  Look back in Exodus 32 when Moses was confronted with the awful sin of Israel in making the golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai.  Moses was horrified at what was done and he pleaded with God to forgive the sin of these people.  Note verse 32, "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which you have written."  Here was Moses' display of "no greater love."  He, too, was willing to suffer for the sake of the people he loved.  But what does God have to say about this?

Let me use this illustration from the life of D. L. Moody.  One service was just winding down and the invitation had just been given when a young man came bursting into the meeting, ran down the aisle to where Moody was meeting with those who were in the midst of coming to Christ.  The young man cried out to Moody, "Mr. Moody, Mr. Moody, what can I do to be saved?"  Moody looked at him and said, "Son, you're too late!"  The young man cried out, "I'm too late to be saved?!"  "No!" Mood said.  "You're too late to do anything.  It's already been done!  Christ already did what was necessary for you to be saved!" 

Now, what about Paul's statement in our Daily Verse?  I think God would say, "Paul, you don't need to think about being accursed for My people.  My Son already was!"  Note Galatians 3:13, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us..."  Jesus already did what Paul was saying he would be willing to do.  Christ took the "curse" for our sin on Himself.  He paid the debt in full!  And He did more than Paul could ever have done - He rose from the dead, not only conquering sin, but conquering death as well!

How much do you love your loved ones?  As much as you say you love them, Christ loved them more!