For much of the letter to the Romans, Paul addressed the Jewish Christians. Now, he makes a comment to the Gentile as well.
This is and isn't a "Can't we all get along" speech. Paul's intent as an evangelist is to spread the good news among the Gentile population with the purpose of sparking a faith movement among the Jews also.
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! Romans 11:11-12 (NIV)
The casting away of belief in Christ by the Jews opened the door to bring the Gentiles into relationship with God. First offered to the Jews for the sake of the elect, the good news was a means to bring salvation to all. The intent was for the Jews to come to Christ the Savior and take the news to the whole world. Their rejection was necessary to fulfill the sacrifice needed to embrace a message that anyone can come to faith by believing in the resurrected Christ. All had to be humbled so that all could accept His grace.
At the same time, humility was meant to help the Jews embrace the Gentiles and the Gentiles embrace the Jews. No one body of people was to claim supremacy (according to the Life Application Commentary). We are grafted into the family. Christ is the olive tree whose branches had to be knocked off by rejection but replaced by belief and faith. Jews and Gentiles alike were to be grafted into this new covenant from God: both receiving God's full reward and neither lifted higher that the other.
I believe this is where so much misunderstanding emerges about the relationship between the Jews and Christians. Wars have been fought over this misunderstanding. Prejudice within the church has emerged from not embracing it. For example, Martin Luther was adamant in his dislike for the Jews. Others have sounded off on the Jewish rejection of Christ by engaging in harsh treatment towards them (look at the demon named Hitler).
Why, if he could graft you—branches cut from a tree out in the wild—into an orchard tree, he certainly isn't going to have any trouble grafting branches back into the tree they grew from in the first place. Just be glad you're in the tree, and hope for the best for the others. Romans 11:24 (MSG)I wonder if those who dislike the Jews have ever read this section of Scripture. How much more readily will God accept the Jew into the family? Israel prepared the way. If anything, the Gentiles should have been fervently praying for Israel's salvation. There is rejoicing in heaven when someone comes to faith in Christ and walks in the Way, the Truth and the Life. Shouldn't all Christians want a part in that celebration?
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. Romans 11:22 (NIV)God's kindness is to all and should be reciprocated in our actions towards others. Otherwise, a lack of kindness is enough to cut us off from salvation. Getting along is a primary relationship task of all Christians. Our job is to show kindness, to have compassion, to be gentle, and to be patient. Maybe most family relationships would be repaired if husbands and wives would practice this or parents and children or siblings or friends.
- Could this section of Scripture also be applied to the way different races treat one another? How?
- What is the toughest part of being patient with others?
- How can this section of Scripture renew your zeal for sharing the good news with others?
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