The Divine Grafting
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Aug 25, 2023
- 2 min read
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11:23-24)
Grafting a wild olive branch to a cultivated olive tree is contrary to natural norms. This imagery symbolizes the connection of Gentiles (those with no Jewish lineage) into the promises and blessings of God's covenant with Israel.
But the goodness of God does not end there. Paul emphasized that if God can graft in the wild branches, how much more will He graft in the natural branches of Israel? Even though some of the natural branches are temporarily in unbelief, God's faithfulness is still toward them. He wants to bring them back into their own olive tree, restoring them to their rightful place within His redemptive plan.
This truth reminds us of God's unfathomable and unfailing love and His relentless pursuit of all His sons and daughters.
Romans 11:23-24 encourages us to cultivate a heart of hope and expectancy. Just as God can graft in the branches that have been cut off, He can bring restoration to any area of our lives that may have experienced brokenness or disconnection. He is the God of second chances, the One who breathes new life into the seemingly lifeless situations that surround us.
Today, let us stand in awe of the Divine Grafting, and with grateful hearts, proclaim the goodness of our God. He is the Master Gardener, skillfully pruning, grafting, and tending to us, His beloved creation. In His hands, there is hope for restoration, redemption, and a future where all nations, tribes, and tongues are united in worship and adoration.
Practical Application
As God remains faithful to His people, even when they wander, we are called to imitate His love and extend grace to those who have drifted away from the faith. Rather than casting judgment or turning our backs on them, let us reach out with compassion, offering a safe space for them to return and experience the redemptive power of God's love.