Romans 11:17-19 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
The metaphor of the olive tree represents the people of God who believe in Jesus as the Messiah. It includes believing Gentiles and Jews. The Gentile believers became part of the people of God through faith. The unbelieving Jews are cut off from the tree but there is always the opportunity for them to be grafted back in. Paul warns the Gentiles here not to become haughty in their position. Rather, they should see their inclusion as an opportunity to bear witness of Christ to non-believing Jews. The Gentiles have been grown into the root, which is Israel, the people stretching back to God’s promises made to Abraham. They should not say that because the Jews were cut off, that there is now room for them. There is room for everyone in this great olive tree of God’s people. The sad part is to see those who should have believed, not believe and be cut off. The Gentiles should not rejoice in their inclusion but weep over the Jews who rejected their Messiah. Pride is a subtle thing that can affect the church today. We must not be proud of our salvation (of course we can rejoice in it), but have a sense of sorrow for those around us who reject Jesus, especially those who have a spiritual heritage in Abraham but, like the Jews of Paul’s day, have turned away from God’s plan of salvation.
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