RCPC Greatest Hit from Jay Mizeras in 1985
Romans 11:17-24
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.
When a branch breaks from a fruit tree, damage to the tree occurs. Other branches of the tree may continue to grow. Growth in the damaged branch will not occur until the break is repaired and healing begins. Grafting is a planned form of damage to a tree. It is done to produce a particular characteristic in the size or quality of the fruit.
As Christians, we are grafted branches on God’s family tree whose roots go back to the Jews. We need to appreciate the strong spiritual life of the Jews that we have inherited. We should recognize that on this family tree, there are many broken branches – individuals who, due to circumstances or decisions have experienced brokenness. We should not be proud that these are broken while we are not. Grafted and broken branches both receive life through their roots. When we are rooted in Christ, we bring healing and continued growth to God’s family tree.
Prayer: O God, Thank you for the fruitful areas of my life. Keep me so rooted in Christ that I will bring healing and growth to every part of your family tree. In Jesus’ name. Amen.