Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Romans 11 before reading the devotional below.
Once again we will tackle an entire chapter at once because Paul is making one point that is best read all at once. He is continuing on this theme of the importance of the Jewish people even in the midst of God offering salvation to the Gentiles too. He is using language that would be familiar to them from the Old Testament scriptures, including his reference to a “remnant.” This word was used by the prophet Isaiah to describe the end of the world. If you were following our Advent series (or if you go back and check it out now), you will see that Isaiah prophesied a lot about the coming Messiah as well as the end of the world. He spoke of a Jewish remnant, meaning a group of Jews who would remain faithful to God even as others turned away.
Paul uses an agricultural illustration that most of us will be confused by — grafting in branches of an olive tree. When a tree branch breaks off, you can reconnect it through a process called grafting. You can watch a whole bunch of YouTube videos on how it works, but all you really need to know is that this process makes the tree whole again. God, in his abundant mercy, has chosen to use a small group, or remnant, of Jewish people who will be the core of God’s people. Into this core (much like a tree trunk with thick branches), the Gentiles will be grafted in, creating a whole and vibrant people of God.
Here’s your freedom for today: God’s glory is worth everything. God shows mercy to anyone he wants, and he has proven that he can save the world if he so chooses. He has planned all of this saving for his own glory. Some may believe that makes God arrogant, or a “show off.” But that does not account for God’s ultimate love and goodness. His glory is a gift to us, and it is not centered in pride. God’s glory is fully deserved — there is nothing prideful about it because he is owed worship from all of creation. We as Christians can pursue the glory of God and step out of the center of the story to properly give God his place at the center. Stepping out of the limelight is a place of freedom as we re-align our lives with how the world is supposed to be.