The Beauty in Brokenness

Romans 10:5-15    Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The passage we face this week is a hard one. That is the first thing my lectionary commentary tells me when I open the book. Thank you, lectionary commentary, you are correct.

I leaned heavily on the commentary and the footnotes to understand what Paul was doing in these verses. He quotes heavily from the Old Testament law and prophets, and sprinkles in some Christian interpretation along the way. He is engaging with the texts in a creative way, keeping it lively, keeping us on our toes along with him. It is a dance of interpretation. Paul is trying to make the case that, while it is not necessary for the gentile believers to follow the law of Israel, the people of Israel, for whom the law is grace – blessing, along with the glory, the covenant, and the promises.

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” (10:12)

It is true, then. We are all broken, every one of us. We are all in need of the mercy and grace of God.

My hope, then, is that we can see our brokenness, finding our sameness with our neighbors rather than our differences. My hope is that we understand that denying our brokenness will not magically make us whole. My hope is that we can look right through our pain and understand that it is our common humanity to have flaws, to be hurt as well as cause hurt. My hope is that we can see how malleable we are, that we can be shaped by the evil that is done to us as much as by the goodness we encounter, and that the goodness will evermore crush the evil, shaping us for good.

My hope is that this seeing will sustain our hope.

Photo credit: “Leg Warmers” – Harvey Edwards