Relationship Invitation || Romans 3:21-24 || Mid-Week Midrash #5

Scripture – Romans 3:21-24

But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-thing-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus. 

Midrash

What a powerful message from Paul! Instead of teaching them to focus on what they’ve learned from Moses and the prophets, he teaches them that what THEY foreshadow has come true in the person that is Jesus. God sent Jesus to earth to teach people what it means to live a godly life. What better source to gain this information, right? No offense to Moses and Isaiah. Plus, God did this not JUST for the Jews or JUST for the Gentiles. He did it for everyone. All people are welcome to learn about Jesus and develop a relationship with Him. No matter the background, no matter the upbringing, no matter what. Anyone and everyone were welcome to a relationship with Christ. I believe that as Paul talks about this “long and sorry record as sinners,” he’s talking about himself. I mean, he was KILLING CHRISTIANS for their relationship with Christ, and now it’s Jesus’ most prominent advocate. Paul calls this to attention many times, knowing full well what he’s done and what he deserves, but yet. Jesus invites Paul into a deep and meaningful relationship. God has seen the disaster humanity has caused from the beginning, and with ALL that, he still sent Jesus to make us right with God. We know that Jesus is here for a sacrificial death on our behalf. This is a death that you and I deserve, but because of Jesus, we don’t have to endure. May you take this moment to reflect on what it means to have this relationship with Christ.