IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

If the Root is Holy, So Are the Branches

Date: Feb. 2, 2020

Passage

Romans 11:13-24

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 But if 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, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were 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, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Romans 11:22a

22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

1. The future blessings of Israel (13-16)

Paul spoke these words as much a warning to the Gentiles as words of hope to the Jews. They (the Gentiles) were reconciled to God because of the rejection of the Jews. God's hope was that the Jews would see the work of Christ in the Gentiles and would become jealous and return to God. And they will. Paul said, "For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" The reconciliation of the Jews will be hugely impactful on the world.

2. God will graft the Jews back in again (17-24)

The Gentile believers were the wild olive shoots that had been grafted into the giant olive tree. They received the nourishing sap from the root (Christ). We are blessed! The temptation is to boast that room was made for us to be grafted in. But we should not do that! We should remember that while God grafted us in, he can just as easily break us off, as he did the unbelieving Jews. So we should remember God's kindness and pray and do our best to remain in His kindness. Otherwise, we will know His sternness. For He may cut us off. One day the Jews who believe in Christ will be grafted back in.

Prayer: Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to stay in your kindness.

One Word: Remember God's kindness

Daily Bread

The Lord Judges the Proud

Psalm 75:1-10

Key Verse: 75:2

“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.

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