ROMANS 11:24

“For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”

I can’t help but think about the story of the prodigal son when I read today’s verse in Romans. You know the story. The younger son of a man demanded his inheritance so he could go away and basically squander it. He rejected his father and his family and clung to worldly things. How did that end for him? In a pigpen wanting to eat what they were eating. So, the Word says, “he came to himself” and decided to return home. He was welcomed with open arms and a feast.

Paul tells us in verse 24 above that those Jews who have rejected Jesus will be welcomed back into the “olive tree” of God if they return. They will be welcomed back with open arms. They will be grafted back into “their own olive tree.” There’s room for all. Isn’t that amazing? God is waiting to welcome all who have turned away. He does not hold grudges.

APPLICATION

What’s all this talk about an olive tree? The Topical Lexicon gives us a picture of this symbolism. “Paul draws on this well-known imagery to explain God’s redemptive program (Romans 11:17–24). Israel is the cultivated olive whose nourishing root is the patriarchal covenant promise; believing Gentiles are the wild shoot graciously grafted in.” It goes on to say, “The illustration safeguards two truths: (1) the continuing faithfulness of God to ethnic Israel—“’how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree’ (verse 24); and (2) the unity of Jew and Gentile in one redeemed people, sharing one root and one life. The horticultural image repudiates replacement theology while urging humility, perseverance and hope.”

I know that was a long quote, but I felt it gave a clear picture of the imagery Paul was using in talking about the Jews and Gentiles. Isn’t it great that Gentile believers are now knit together with believing Jews into the same root and tree. The root of Jesse is Jesus. We are joined for eternity because of Jesus.

Do you know someone who has turned their back on God and walked away? It is never too late for them to return. Let me rephrase that. As long as someone still has breath and the Lord has not called His church home, there is time for them to return. God will welcome them home, just like He does the Jew who finds Jesus. As followers of Christ, it is our calling to bring as many as we can with us to our eternal home. Tell His story and let Jesus do the calling.

Oh Lord, thank You for grafting me into Your tree and for “regrafting” any Jew who returns to You.

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