In chapter 9 Paul begins to talk about God’s will for the salvation of Israel. Just before this he talked about there was nothing that could pull us away from the love of God, but here all at once he talks about Israel’s salvation. Probably, that is because through the salvation of Israel he wanted to talk about the salvation of the world. Even so, Paul was considerably troubled as to why even though the promised Messiah came, the Israelites didn’t believe. This can be seen in verse 2 where he says, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul received a clear revelation from God about the salvation of the Israelites. That is “the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (33) Israel will be saved. Today through Israel’s salvation let’s look at three aspects of the salvation of “my people”. (3)
I. Paul’s earnest desire (vs. 1-3
First of all let’s look at Paul’s earnest desire. Let’s look at verses 1-3.
Paul who talked about Christians being more than conquerors starts chapter 9 with, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” (2) The “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” (2) can be seen in verse 3. Paul says, “I… wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race.” Paul’s “great sorrow and unceasing anguish”(2) was that his own people, the Jews didn’t accept Jesus Christ and didn’t believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, his earnest desire was the salvation of his people, the Jews.
In the whole world, the group of people that don’t believe in the Gospel and don’t believe in Jesus Christ the most is God’s chosen people, the Jews. Paul too at first couldn’t believe in Jesus. Paul who followed the law strictly as a Pharisee of Pharisees couldn’t believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, Christ. That was because in the law it was written that a person that was hung on a tree was cursed. Therefore, a person that died on the cross couldn’t possibly be the Messiah, the Savior. Jesus disgraced God, and could not be forgiven. He arrested the Christians and persecuted them. However, when he was purposely on his way to Damascus to do this, he met the risen Lord Jesus. When Paul heard the voice “Saul. Saul. What are you persecuting me?” he realized that Jesus was Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. Then he became the new Paul. Up until now he had persecuted those who believed in Christ. Now he became a person who preached Christ. No matter where he went, he preached, “Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior. Whoever believes in him will be saved.” Since then he was hated by the Jews, and was persecuted terribly, but even so he wanted many people to be saved so he proclaimed Christ who was crucified. However, the Jews thought that they were the chosen people of God, and they bragged that the law had been given to them so they thought they would be automatically saved by following the law ritually. Therefore, they didn’t believe in the Gospel that Paul was preaching. Paul’s “great sorrow and unceasing anguish”(2) was that they didn’t believe. He was willing to be “cut off from Christ” and be cursed if by doing so they would be saved. That’s how much he desired for the Jews, his people, to be saved.
When we think about Paul’s “great sorrow and unceasing anguish”, (2) I wonder about how much I have prayed for the salvation of the Japanese. The Japanese are not as bad as the Jews, but even though they hear about the grace of Jesus, they are a people who have a difficult time believing. Our neighbors, Korea is 25% Christian, but Japan is less than 1%. The evangelism of Japan no matter whether you push or pull, it doesn’t go well. When you are in that situation, you begin to think that there is no use in doing anything and feel like giving up.
In the reality of Japanese evangelism where there is no response, there are times like you feel like giving up. However, God proclaims that there will come a time when such hardened hearted Jews will all be saved. Now is the time of preparation for this. We need to continue praying with patience and endurance.
It’s too bad, but lots of people think that present day people have no interest in spiritual salvation. People are interested in only making money, going to a famous college, and living in a huge house, but that is not so. They have a hunger for salvation. I sometimes have a chance to talk to people who are thought of as having succeeded in society or who have become rich, but this type of people are interested in the Gospel, and listen with open ears. They are not just interested in politics and economy. They realized that those things are not a source of hope. Their hope is how their hungry hearts can be filled, how they can be saved. Therefore, if we boldly preach Jesus, they will hear the Words of God and be saved. That is because only our Savior Jesus Christ can fill our spiritual hunger.
It seems like the Japanese are not opening their hearts to the Gospel, but in reality they have fear, and anxieties. They have a spiritual hunger. God wants us to earnestly pray for the salvation of the Japanese.
II. God’s chosen people, Israel (vs. 4, 5)
The reason Paul so earnestly desired Israel’s salvation was not because they were the same Jewish people as Paul, but also because they were God’s chosen people. Let’s look at verses 4 and 5.
Paul wasn’t a betrayer that betrayed Israel. For Paul the Jews were God’s special chosen people, a special people, and he had a strong assurance that finally they will surely be saved. However, we, Gentiles, are not the same. According to Ephesians 2:12 we were far from Christ, outside the Israelite kingdom. The promise of the covenant was for another country. We had no hope in this world. We were without God. However, by the grace of God, we repented of our sin and by a faith that believes in Jesus Christ, we became a child of God. Those who had been that far from God, at the moment when they believed in God, God’s Spirit was given so that we can call “Abba, Father”. However, Israel is not the same. Israel is God’s special chosen child. They are a special people. Here it gives us examples of what a special people they are. That is “glory” (4) and “covenant” (4) and “the law”(4) and “worship”(4) is theirs.
First of all Israel had glory. They could go to tabernacle and meet God. God’s shining glory was always there. They could in God’s presence fellowship with Him like Moses met God face to face on the Mt. Sinai. Also they were given a covenant with God, the law. By following it they were promised that they would be really blessed. Even though it is said that the earth is wide, there is no other people to whom such a promise has been given. This was something really special. Also more than anything, the Savior, Christ was promised to come from Israel.
Genesis 12:1-3
In other words, The base of Israel’s blessing was that they were God’s specially chosen people. Now lots of Jewish people are against accepting the Lord. Even if they are against the Gospel, someday they will certainly believe. Paul believed this strongly.
This is the same for Christians who are saved and are chosen by God. Ephesians 1:4
God “before the creation of the world”(Ephesians 1:4) chose us. We were chosen specially by God. This means that we were not chosen because of our condition, or our qualifications, or desires, or our effort, or our many relationships, but by something greater than these. It is because we are chosen to be saved. Therefore, we certainly will be saved no mater what. Peter denied Jesus three times saying that he did not know him. Paul arrested Christians and put them in prison. Even so God forgave them and saved them. This was because of God’s deep mercy they were chosen. Whoever is chosen by God, no matter what will be saved. This is what is meant by “the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (33) This was the assurance that Paul had.
III. For the salvation of my people (3)
Therefore the third point is that we who are chosen by the grace of God should be thankful and earnestly desire that our people be saved. That is why Paul said, “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.” (3)
Ezekiel 22:30
“The gap” (Ezekiel 22:30)refers to is the gap between man and God caused by sin. At that time the Southern Kingdom, Judah, was going against the will of God, and was extremely filthy with sin. Towards them before God sent his judgment upon them, there was a possibility that God would not send his judgment upon them if there was someone that would intercede for them. Someone was to stand before God “in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30). However, there was no one found that could stand before God “in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) and pray. Therefore, God allowed the Babylonian invasion and Jerusalem was destroyed. God searched for someone to stand “in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) between God and man and intercede.
Paul was such a man that stood “in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30). He said, “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.” (3) He is saying that if he could, he wanted to be exchanged for the Jewish people’s salvation.
Moses too was such a man that stood “in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30). When Israel was in the desert and they made a golden calf and worshiped it and there received the judgment of God, Moses prayed, “But now, please forgive their sin-but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” (Exodus 32:32) God heard Moses prayer and forgave the Israelites.
God hears the prayers of those who pray with all their might. Are we praying like this? The road to the salvation of our people is the working of God’s power. This type of prayer will not return void. In the end, it will produce saved hearts.
We who are chosen and have entered into the grace of salvation, and so God desires that we become a person that stands “in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) and seriously pray for the salvation of our people. We need to pray like Paul, “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.” (3) We need to pray for the salvation of our people, the Japanese. Those prayers will not be in vain. God will answer this intercessory prayer and will bring about the works of salvation. That time will surely come. “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (33) For this day of salvation let’s become serious intercessors. This is the commission that has been given to those who are chosen to be saved through grace.