Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 11 | Day 5
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank Jesus that he came to save you!
Bible Reading: Romans 10:16-21
Read these verses three times slowly.
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Reflection & Questions
We have been reflecting this week of the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, despite all of the rich history they have walked with God. Paul expressed his deep anguish at this fact, and that though Jesus is so close that they could just “call on the name of the Lord and be saved,” they stubbornly refuse to do so. They heard the good news again and again, but wouldn’t bow their knee. As Paul wrote in the opening verse today, “But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.”
Was there a problem in the delivery of the message? No. Did they somehow not hear it? “Of course they did,” Paul writes. Did God give up on them? No! As God says, in Isaiah 65:2, which Paul quotes here, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Their stubbornness kept them from receiving Jesus.
The truth is, there are many in this world, who have heard the message of Jesus, some many times. And though they could simply receive salvation in that moment with just a word of prayer, they have refused to do so. Whether they regard the gospel as foolishness or an offense, the result is the same: they go their own way.
As Christ’s ambassadors, we are not responsible for people’s response. We cannot force them into accepting Jesus. We are tasked with making the gospel plain. We have the privilege of presenting good news. It is up to the hearer what they will do with it.
- What word or phrase sticks out to you from today’s verses? Why?
- How do these verses encourage and challenge you in your mission?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Roman 10:16-21
Read these verses three times slowly.
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Reflection & Questions
This week we’ve talked about the Israelites who just plain refuse to accept Jesus. They are stubborn and want to do things their way, even if it’s the wrong way! They’ve been told the good news again and again but “not all the Israelites accepted the good news.”
So what’s the problem? It’s easy to do – Jesus is close, all you have to do is ask. Is it how the message of salvation was brought to them? No. Did they not hear it? Of course they did! Did God give up on them? No! Paul quotes Isaiah 65:2 where God says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” He’s giving them salvation and they are turning their backs to Him.
The truth is that there are many in this world who have heard the message of Jesus; some of them many times! And though they could simply receive salvation in that moment with just a word of prayer, they have refused to do so. They have chosen to go their own way.
As Christ’s ambassadors, His “Good News Deliverers,” we are not responsible for people’s response. We cannot force them into accepting Jesus. Our job is to tell the simple story of salvation. We get to deliver the good news. What they do with it is up to them.
- How does it feel to know that you are not responsible for saving someone, but that Jesus just wants us to share the good news and leave the rest up to Him?
Pray
Ask God to give you the courage to share the good news with someone.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
