October 23, 2021 — Romans 11:13–36

“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy. 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.” Romans 11:13-24

“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.” (Romans 11:22) There is no room for boasting, Paul says, for G-d is a G-d of everlasting kindness, but also a G-d of judgment. Stand in awe, Paul says, of a G-d who has no qualms about breaking off branches, and grafting on other branches. This is a G-d of whom we should stand in awe, and to whom we should offer prayer, praise and thanksgiving daily.  So where do we stand on being part of the tree of faith, but grafted on through faith – alone? There is nothing that we can do but trust – trust builds faith — trust in a G-d who comes running for the one who finally comes to themselves, realizing that they do not “deserve” anything. We are only branches – supported by the root – which is the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ.

Let us Pray,

Lord Jesus, help us to remember that when we are rooted in you, then our faith will surely grow through the Holy Spirit. Help us to trust in this faith alone. Amen.

Pastor Dave