Paul now shifts his focus to the Israelites specifically. His heart is so heavy for his brothers and sisters. Although they had knowledge of God, they had not truly humbled themselves to him. He goes as far as to say that he would sacrifice himself for Israel to be saved. This is not an arrogant statement, but similar to the likeness of Christ who was scorned so sinners could be saved.
“He had just that self-sacrificing spirit of Moses, that he would lose anything and everything if they might but be saved. And this is the spirit which ought to actuate every Church of Christ. The Church that is always caring for her own maintenance is no church. The Church that would be willing to be destroyed if it could save the sons of men — which feels as if, whatever her shame or sorrow, it would be nothing if she could but save sinners…”
C.H. Spurgeon
Paul reflects on the chosen state of Israel and how God was faithful to them time and time again. This makes his sorrow even heavier. Most continued to try and achieve right standing by their works instead of embracing the new faith through Jesus Christ. Many of us do the same today.
This attitude of Paul’s is a critical step in the life of a believer. When we go from angry, bitter, and dismissive to tender, compassionate and sorrowful, we truly understand what it must be like for the unbeliever. Paul was undoubtedly treated terribly by many Jewish people. He was laughed at, beaten, jailed, set up, slandered, and cursed by the religious elite who were supposed to be representing God.
Yet, despite all of this, Paul is not upset with them. In fact, we see quite the opposite. He is so deeply moved to sacrifice himself to see Israel redeemed. Paul’s dying wish, his entire existence, was to save lost souls. He wanted Christ’s name to be spread like wildfire, and he would do anything to fulfill this calling. I wonder how many of us dedicate to our calling like Paul did? Once we discover what purpose we have, and what God has asked of us, how many of us can say we have laid everything on the line to love God and love people?
Think about those people who mock and ridicule you because of your faith. Do you see those people as enemies, or do you have great compassion on them because of the reality of their separation from God?