The Anguish of Our Mission

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture (semicontinuous)

Old Testament: Genesis 32:22-31

Psalter: Psalm 17:1-7, 15

Epistle: Romans 9:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

Scripture (complementary)

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-5

Psalter: Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

Epistle: Romans 9:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

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Prayer

God beyond all seeing and knowing, we meet you in the night of change and crisis, and wrestle with you in the darkness of doubt. Give us the will and spirit to live faithfully and love as we are loved. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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Reflection

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen (Romans 9:1-5).

When my children were born, I instantly fell in love with them. When my grandchildren were born, I instantly fell in love with them—So much so that I knew I would not hesitate to sacrifice my life for them without hesitation. The worst thing that I could think of in my life is outliving either a child or a grandchild. That is something I do not wish to see. I would prefer to get hit by a bus before any of that happens.

In Romans 9. Paul confesses his anguish that his beloved people of Israel have by and large not believed in Jesus as the Messiah. He is so anguished that he is willing to be cursed for all eternity if it means that his people will come to believe. We must never forget that Paul was a Jew until the day he died; and he believed that his people occupied a special chosenness in the plans of God. A little bit later in Romans, he is very clear that Israel's unbelief does not revoke God’s promises to be their covenant God. No matter what they remain God’s people.

But Paul is on the horns of the dilemma. Israel is God’s chosen, but Jesus’ Messiahship is essential for salvation. In his love for his people Paul would forfeit his own salvation if it would save them.

Now Paul knows that God does not work in that way. The covenant is not transactional. It is relational, but Paul’s words are a reminder to us that what is central to the covenant of salvation in Jesus is not primarily individual, but corporate. My discipleship is not just about me and Jesus; it is about all those whom God wishes to save. Just like Paul, it should anguish us that there are those who do not believe, particularly when they are from our own family, however family is defined.

Paul was burdened for the salvation of his people. Are we so burdened today?

PRAYER: Glorious God, your generosity floods the world with goodness and you shower creation with abundance. Awaken in us a hunger for food to satisfy both body and heart, that in the miracle of being fed we may be empowered to feed the hungry in Jesus' name. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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