During the time of Jesus there were multiple Jewish groups existed and each one had their own set of followers among common people. The major one were Pharisees, Sadducees and Zealots. The Pharisees and Sadducess had their own differences in the temple rites, Torah and belief system. Zealots agreed with the principle of Pharisees plus they had thirst for liberty. Each one of this group had their own expectation from Messiah. Zealots were looking for a leader who can conquer Romans. Pharisees were looking for a religious leader according to the law of Moses. Sadducees were looking for an aristocratic and elegant person in Messiah.
Jesus came into this earth as sinners friends. He spent his time with poor, illiterate, sick, prostitutes and lepers. He did not fit the expectation of any of the three groups. They had great struggle in accepting his concept of righteousness by faith and scared to lose the support from commoners, who started following Jesus.
(v 2) Paul acknowledges the zealous principles of Jews, which are not based on knowledge of God but their own understanding. They considered themselves as religious based on the law of Moses and their own interpretations pushed them away from Christ. (v4) They could not recognize Jesus who is the author and the creator of the law.
This is a great lesson for modern day Christians. How many of us do see Jesus through our own black, green and red glasses and expect him to appear in the same color? How many times we operate on our own zeal in ministries rather than depending on God’s knowledge and His guidance?
v(9) If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. We know there are enough historic evidences exists for the birth and death of Jesus Christ. What is being debated in the modern world is his resurrection. Believing in Jesus resurrection that he led the way for all of us by going through the death is fundamental in understanding our own path to eternal life. (v14,15). Now this belief comes from hearing, hearing from preaching and preaching from God’s men.
In order to know why resurrection is important, you may refer the blog on “Why Easter and Resurrection so important” under the thought section. You can read evidence for resurrection of Jesus here.
Jesus died and resurrected for all of us independent of whether you are a foreigner (v20) or a Jew (v21). His blood is powerful enough to save anyone. (v11) Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. Believe Him!
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