Unashamed Reading Plan

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.

Bible Reading: Romans 9:1-5

Read these verses three times slowly.

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 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 people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Reflection & Questions

In the next two chapters of Romans, Paul addresses the baffling fact that the majority of the Jewish people have rejected Jesus.

It is baffling of course, because of the rich history that they have walking with God (the same God that Jesus is). Paul summarizes that rich history in today’s verses: “Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!” The people of Israel have so many reasons to receive Jesus, and no excuse for their rejection of Him. In the next few days Paul will address the ins and outs of why they have done this.

But for Paul, pointing out their rejection of Jesus isn’t simply an intellectual exercise. He says, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” It crushes him that his own people could reject such a wonderful savior. Paul goes so far in his sadness to say that he’d be willing to swap places in salvation for his kind. Paul is a giant of an intellect in the Christian faith, but he is far from heartless. He loves with a deep passion. He loves Jesus and he loves people. And sometimes that means we have a deep anguish because of the choices of those we love.

1. Are there people in your life that you are filled with sadness because they won’t receive Jesus? Take some time to pray for them now.

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today: