Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Scripture: Romans 1:13 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish 15 —hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Observation: The continued greeting of Paul is significant in the use of  the term “ Adelphoi ” — which is translated “brothers and sisters.” While the term is in the masculine form, it is also plural and can even be used for the word “twins.” It has a very familial understanding to it, and of being “beloved.” The overall understanding is that it means brothers and sisters in Christ, because all who have come to Christ are now children of God. Therefore, this language is deeply personal, but also indicative of the barriers which are destroyed in the kingdom of God.  While he h...

Praying over our daughter, Cara, as she received her first preacher's license.  Scripture: Rom. 1:8   First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10 asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.  Observation: In his opening statement, Paul breaks into a prayer for the Roman Christians. While Paul is given, from time to time, to hyperbole, he is trying to make a point. It is incredible that there are followers of Jesus Christ in the capital city of Rome, and the news of this is spreading rapidly, and is of great encourageme...

From inside the Vatican, in Rome.  Scripture: Rom. 1:7   To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Observation: The Roman Christians are beloved by God. This is an incredible designation, for Paul is saying that they are God’s chosen people. This phrase has much in common with the Old Testament designation of Israel as God’s people, and is really an introduction to the theme which will encompass the first eight chapters of this letter.  Not only are the people of Rome, both Jew and Gentile, God’s beloved, but they are also “called to be saints.” There is a duty for Christians to be holy, just as God is holy, and therefore they are called by God to be saints. This is a desire placed upon the heart of Paul that all the believers in Rome will walk in grace and be sanctified. Sanctification is not optional for Paul, but is the desire. Throughout his writings he uses ...

Scripture: Romans 1: 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, Observation: In this lengthy sentence of greeting, Paul has already laid out the source of the gospel, but now he shifts into the responsibility which comes from having received that gospel. Paul, himself, has experienced grace which has been poured out on him and his life. Through grace he was drawn into the life of an apostle. None of this was through his own works, but in response to God reaching out to him. Fulfilling the calling of an apostle, Paul explains his mission. Again, through grace which is now extended, not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well, a response of faith is required. Because of the work of Christ, all of humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, is now called to belong to Christ. Paul’s assignment is to invite others to join ...

Just hanging out with lots of folk in Rome. Notice the inscription to Agrippa. To declare "Jesus is Lord" was a dangerous thing! Scripture: Romans 1: 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, Observation: These two verses may have made up an early church creed that helps to explain that Jesus is the Son of God. It is quite a profound declaration. The source of the good news may be in God, but the content of the good news is what we learn regarding the Son. Recognizing that his audience is both Jew and Gentile, this simple creed bears the marks of both.  The good news for us all is about Jesus, the Son. To place him within the line of David is important, and note that he says “according to the flesh.” Right from the beginning Paul is laying out for us the formula of Christ’s nature, both h...

Scripture: Romans 1:2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,  Observation: To place this into context, it is the gospel, or the “good news” of God, which has been promised. Therefore, the gospel is “not a break with the past, but the consummation of it” (NBBC). This promise of salvation is a thread which has been woven throughout history. Paul is making sure that the link is being made; Jesus is the Messiah, and his presence has been promised throughout all of the “holy” scriptures. In other words, through the most precious writings of those who have gone before us. Karl Barth put it this way, “The words of the prophets, long fastened under lock and key, are now set free.… Now we can see and understand what was written, for we have an ‘entrance into the Old Testament’ ” (Barth 1933, 28; quoting Luther; see 2 Cor 3:14–16). John Wesley specifically lists particular passages of scripture which have now been fulfilled:  Deut. 18:...