March 19, 2005 Romans 11:13-24

 March 19, 2005                                                                                  Romans 11:13-24

 

Romans 11:17-18, 23-24 “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…. 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.”

 

            About two years ago, I was flying to St Louis from a conference in Dallas.  A young lady sat beside me on the plane and the book I was reading caught her attention.  As we talked I learned she was visiting relatives in St. Louis and the subject of professions came up.  I mentioned I was a Presbyterian pastor and if she could have run away at 30,000 feet she might have.  However, I was on the aisle and she was stuck.

After a moment or two she composed herself and continued, “I’m sorry, but I’m Jewish and I have to know, are you one of those Christians who swear we’re going to hell because we don’t believe in Jesus?” 

My jaw dropped.  How would you answer this question?  Sure I believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through him.  But that is not what I was asked about.  So I asked her to explain some more while I composed an answer.

“My aunt lives in St. Louis and from time to time supposed Christians come knocking on the door and browbeat her for killing Jesus.”  She continued, “Then they start in about us going to hell and it just isn’t right!”

Needless to say the rest of the trip got very interesting. I assured her that not all Christians were like that.  Yes we believe that salvation is through Christ.  And yes, we believe that at some point in time, Jews will come to accept Christ as well.  For we believe that God’s chosen people, are still chosen.  God doesn’t abandon us, ever!

We parted ways after the plane landed.  But I think of that conversation now and then.  I was reminded of it when I read the passage before us.  We sometimes forget that Jesus was a Jew first and foremost.  The disciples taught in the synagogues for the most part.  And if not for the Jewish Diaspora, Paul would have not found many converts outside of Israel.   

Perhaps we, who know Christ, should avoid treating other religions with disdain or suspicion.  God might be better served if we view them differently.  Maybe we should think of the situation as a family split by divorce or natural disaster, longing for a time when all the branches are rejoined as one by God’s love.  Oh, what a glorious day that will be!

 

Merciful God, we are all branches and you are the vine.  We pray, O Lord, for the day when all are engrafted to you.  May our words and deeds be used to bring this about, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

Contributed by Rev. Andy O’Dowd