Though he was called by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was heartbroken over his compatriots ... the Jews. The rejection of Jesus as their promised Messiah weighed on his conscience, for he too had been an enemy of the cross at one time.
It caused him to write ... For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh. (Romans 9:3)
The idea that he would trade his own salvation for Israel's acceptance of the Gospel, brings to mind the willingness of Jesus to die in our stead ... Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin]. (Matthew 20:28 Amp)
Spurgeon - I have sometimes felt willing to go to the gates of hell to save a soul, but the Redeemer went further, for He suffered the wrath of God for souls. After that manner He loved.
Paul's burden for Israel so pained him that he felt relief could only come through sacrifice. He never thought about his unbelieving brethren, without unimaginable sorrow.
The apostle was living out the edict issued by Christ ... Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
This mindset is much different from that of today's 'believer'. The plight of the lost doesn't bring tears to his eyes. Their fate is often seen as deserved and unalterable.
When we truly abide in Christ, our hearts can't help but weep for those who don't know Him.
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