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Master gardeners understand the benefits of grafting. By taking a branch from a tangerine tree and grafting it onto an orange tree, they create a fruit salad tree capable of producing multiple citrus fruits. This process enhances the tree’s productivity and strengthens its health.
The Apostle Paul uses grafting to explain a profound truth to Gentile believers in Rome. He writes in Romans 11:17:
“Some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree.”
Romans 11:17: New International Version
For Jews of the New Testament, including Gentiles in God’s plan was revolutionary. Paul emphasizes that this divine grafting enriches the entire spiritual harvest.
Grafting makes the plant stronger and more fruitful. Similarly, the inclusion of Gentile believers enhances the Kingdom of God. Just as a grafted plant takes on the best characteristics of its host tree, producing beautiful flowers and delicious fruits, we benefit from God grafting us into His family.
The Bible uses this gardening image frequently to talk about our connection to God. Jesus states in John 15:1-2, “‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.’” This pruning process, though sometimes painful, is essential for our spiritual growth.
Paul warns against arrogance in Romans 11:18, reminding us that “it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” He cautions in verses 19 and 20, “Then 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 fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” Paul assures that God could graft back in even those broken off if they abandoned their unbelief (Romans 11:23).
Imagine a gardener with a vast greenhouse, inspecting each plant, trimming off dying branches, and nourishing them. In the same way, God, our divine gardener, tends to us, ensuring we are spiritually strong. Ephesians 3:14-19 speaks of this strength:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
As someone grafted into the family of God, you are not an outsider. You are a beloved child, deeply rooted in His love.
Lord Jesus, you are the vine and I am a branch. Help me know how to remain in you and have you remain in me. I want to bear fruit. Help me to be nourished by the root. Plant me firmly in your word so that I might grow strong and glorify you in all that I do. It’s in your precious name that I pray, amen.
Listen now to the short version of this Abide meditation, “Grafted In,” based on Romans 11:17. Let God speak to your heart about your rootedness in Him.
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