This text shows Paul's concern for the unbelieving Jews he was ministering to.  Although physical Israel rejected Christ, it will and has led to the salvation of the people of many nations.  It has been beneficial to us as Christians because the Gospel has gone out to the nations as a part of God's plan and is used as righteous jealousy to wake up the Jews to Jesus being the Messiah.  Paul wants people to see what they have that they took for granted, such as being a part of the covenant community. 

 

While they will not be fully restored, God is not done with Israel in the sense that many will be saved through Jesus Christ.  As we see today and throughout history, Jews have been disproportionately despised, and as Christians, we are not to be arrogant toward them.  While they are not to be considered de facto Christians and need the Savior, we have much common ground in the 39 books of the Old Testament, and we need to make them jealous for Christ by living faithfully and showing them the Messiah with love, patience, and humility. 

 

Scripture: Psalm 22, Romans 11:11-24

 

 

Being born into a Christian family or having been descended from a Jewish community has many benefits, but it does not mean that one is saved.  Paul was the "perfect" Jew in every way, but that did not save him; instead, it was his faith in Jesus Christ alone that transformed his life.  Many people who are merely religious or profess to be believers will reject the faith, compromise the gospel, affirm sin, and eventually leave altogether, demonstrating that they never truly believed in one true gospel in the first place.  But amid widespread rebellion and throughout history, God has always kept his remnant as a witness to the nations, as soldiers in his army, so that he might show his power through them.  We need to guard against remaining only in our Christian huddles and be instruments in the hand of our Redeemer to an unbelieving world.    

 

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-15, 18, Romans 11:1-6