Israel and the ChurchSample

Day 3 – Olive Tree

Paul uses an olive tree as an example to explain the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. The cultivated olive tree symbolizes God's covenant with Israel. We as Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ, are like the branches of a wild olive grafted onto the trunk of the cultivated olive tree. Now we benefit from the sap from the root; this is how we partake of the blessings God gives.

Jesus already said that streams of living water will flow from within whoever believes in Him. So all the blessings God gives us are in relation to Israel. We are deeply connected to Israel and the Jewish people.

But Paul immediately warns us - as if he already sensed that this danger was lurking - : “Do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches (...) You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” Grace is not a merit, but a gift. The Church has often raised itself above Israel as if the Church was more important. But the Bible points us in a different direction here.

Something to think about: How is it possible that the Church has raised itself above Israel so often? What do you think about this?