God's plan is fulfilled through Israel's rejection

Paul begins this section with his argument of Israel stumbling and falling. The question before us is, does Israel's behavior have a permanent effect on their future in God’s kingdom? Paul answers once again no. Paul knows from an eschatological perspective that Israel will be saved from God’s final judgement. Paul also understands that heaven will include both Jews and Gentiles with the understanding that only those who follow Christ will have the opportunity to find their heavenly home.

Paul in his earlier part of the letter to the Romans focused on Jewish and Jewish Christian presumption. The assertion made in earlier scripture is based on God’s choice for Israel. They were presumptuous in believing that they had an “ethnic righteousness” to live as they wanted without consequence. Just as Paul rejected that premise, he sees a similar type of presumptuous behavior in the Gentile Christian community. He now turns his attention to the Gentile Christian to deal with their misguided behavior. The behavior that Paul is addressing is boasting about the position or opportunity they are given to follow Christ. One of the points being made includes replacing the Jewish people in God’s kingdom because of their rejection of Christ. Paul reiterates the argument he made in earlier scripture that it is not the Gentile who will replace the Jew in the kingdom, but that both the Jew and the Gentile will become the body of Christ. Paul makes a very important point that presumption is fatal. One should not be presumptuous and boastful by lifting up yourself above others as you develop your relationship with God.

Paul then uses two metaphors to make his point. The first is about the remnant Jewish Christians as being the first fruits and the second is using the root and branches of a tree. If the root is separated to God, then the branches will also be separated. Paul emphasizes more on the root and branches than he does being the first fruits. Paul use the metaphor of an olive tree to help make his point as olive trees were common in the region and grafting was also common in Paul’s time. He describes it like this, the root is clearly Jews and Jewish Christians, the cut branches are the Jews who rejected the gospel of Messiah Jesus, and the wild branches are the Gentiles who have accepted the gospel (Jer. 11:16; Hos. 14:6). He points out that the wild branches will be grafted into the root and not the other way around.

What we need to understand is that God shows no favoritism when it comes to salvation (Acts 10:34-35). All those who believe in His son Jesus Christ will be saved. If we focus on our own personal relationship with God, then we are on the right path to righteousness. At some point in time when God calls His church home we will all (those who love Jesus) be in the kingdom of heaven. The key point is you must believe in Jesus Christ and live your life that God has given you. This life includes a process of growing closer to Christ every day. Growing closer includes ridding yourself of the wiles of the world by getting in your word and reading about who Jesus really is. Understanding what God’s expectations are for each one of us and how we should conduct ourselves on a daily basis. When we put all of our trust and hope in God, we are in the best place we can be in. Who can best protect us, provide for us, guide and teach us the way we should live and prepare ourselves for our eternal life than God? Nobody can is the emphatic answer. There is no one better who loves you more than the Triune God. He has proven it over and over again. Throughout the centuries God has shown mercy to this world and someday we will see Him face to face. Until then we are instructed to live for Him, with Him and in Him our lives will be abundantly blessed.

My prayer is that we will see Jesus for who He is and the sacrifice He made for us all. I pray that more people will turn towards Him, receive Him and live the abundant life. I pray for physical and spiritual healing in this world. Lord, breathe life into us so we may hear Your voice and read Your word. I pray that God be seen throughout our lives and that we would live with Him for the rest of our days. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray this Amen! Amen!