Harvest fervour!

[God] is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times (Romans 1:9b).

Read Romans 1:1–15

How do you introduce yourself to a group of people you’ve never met?

The Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians of Rome – people he has never met before. He didn’t plant the church in Rome – in fact, it’s unlikely any apostle had visited Rome by this time. The house churches there grew up organically, with immigrant Christians (perhaps from that first Pentecost in Jerusalem), local slaves and diaspora Jews. It was a melting pot of people groups, like the city of Rome itself.

Paul had a long-held desire to come to the believers in Rome. Rome was the centre of the world, the capital of the Roman Empire – a great, cosmopolitan city. All roads led to Rome! Paul sees the huge strategic potential for spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire from the crossroads of Rome. And now, finally, the way may be opening for him to go there.

But first, he must introduce himself and his teaching to the Christians of Rome by letter. He must present his credentials. Paul opens by stating his name and identifying his patrons whose authority he carries. He is Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to proclaim the gospel of God. This ‘gospel of God’ is the good news about Jesus, long prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures, a descendant of David in his human nature, and the Son of God in his divine nature, revealed in his resurrection from the dead.

These are Paul’s heavyweight patrons: God and his Son, Jesus Christ! They have called Paul and graced him to, in turn, ‘call people from among all the Gentiles’ to faith in this Jesus. That’s Paul’s job, and now he’s coming to Rome to ‘have a harvest’ there too. Nothing like declaring your intentions upfront!

I am impressed and chastened by Paul’s fervent desire to bring Jesus to the people of Rome –people he hasn’t met yet! See how his ardour burns fiercely for them: ‘God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times’ (Romans 1:9). I wish I had a fraction of that ardour.

And then I remember: I have Paul’s heavyweight patrons too! The same God who called, sent and empowered the Apostle Paul calls, sends and empowers me. And you!

God, stir up our ardour for those who don’t yet know you. Fill us with passion for the good news of Jesus! Use us to bring your harvest home! Amen.

Pauline lives in sight of the ranges in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand with her husband, Roger, and two cats. She leads a small Bible College there and offers spiritual direction and supervision to people from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations.