Romans 11:17-24
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.
Yesterday I received an email out of the blue from a guy investigating his family tree.
It turns out he's a distant relative.
Looking at Jesus' family tree we find Ruth, a Moabitess!
She was grafted into the line of Judah, becoming the great grandmother of King David, the earthly forefather of Jesus.
In the passage above we see how, through trust in Jesus, we too have become grafted into His family.
Looking at the old photo I was emailed, back from 1939, I saw my mum smiling out at me, together with her mum, my grandma and my great grandmother.
We can look in the Bible and see our own spiritual family tree and marvel at the trail of faith that now includes us.
Through the Cross we are now Blood relatives of Jesus.
How wonderful is that!
Let's pray that more and more people will be added to the Divine family tree.
Everybody is invited.
Like Ruth did with Boaz, we need to come to the feet of Jesus, so that He can redeem us.
Ruth 3:7-9 AMPC
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then [Ruth] came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. [8] At midnight the man was startled, and he turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! [9] And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread your wing [of protection] over your maidservant, for you are a next of kin.
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