Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Branches Grafted In

The Branch in Relation to Christ

Whether it be in a dream (Gen. 40:10), or a parable (John 15:5), the branch is mentioned 90 times in the Bible. It is used to describe days and people. There are many different approaches we could have in studying about the branch, but I am going to take Romans 11 and talk about that for now.

Romans 11 is when Paul is writing about Christ being the root and the good olive tree, physical Israel being the natural branches, and us (the Gentiles) being the branches grafted in.

"7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."

Some Jews obtained salvation, but the rest rejected it.

"8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."

Even to this day, God has allowed some to be asleep that they won't see and won't hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;"

The Jews, the natural branches, were broken off so that we, the wild olive tree, might receive Salvation from the root.
"18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee."
We should not be high minded against the natural branches, but we should pray for them to come to the knowledge of Christ.

"19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in."
As verse 11 says "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

"20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:"
Or, Yes; because of their unbelief they were broken off, and we stand by faith. Not to be proud, but to fear:
"21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."
We should not be boastful, because Christ (in us) cannot be boastful or have anything to do with pride. In Matt. 17:5 it says that God was 'well pleased' not proud.
"22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."
We shall abide in goodness because it is of the Spirit. (Eph. 5:9) If we forsake the spirit, we will be cut off as Hebrews 6:4-6 says.

"23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again."

If the Jews believe in Christ and that he has fulfilled the Law, they will be brought back to the root, which is Christ. Only God is able to do this.

"24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"

"25 If it was possible for us, who are the unnatural branches and of a wild tree, to be grafted into the family of God, how much more possible is it that the natural branches should come back to the family of God."

Since the Jews rejected Christ, they now have the same responsibility and opportunity of choosing Christ as their Savior.

Colossians 3:11 "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

We have been so blessed to be grafted into the TRUE vine. His banner over us is LOVE.




Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter for deaf ministry, sings in a local choir, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.











1 comment:

Growing In Grace Magazine said...

Thank you Lady Jess! I am so thankful to be grafted in! Great video choice for your article!

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