Mystery – The Church as Horticulture (2)

Our last lesson looked at how the church is characterized within the symbols of a field and a vine with branches.  This lesson continues to find horticultural examples which aid in developing a picture of the church’s intended nature.

First, we will look at how the church is like a vineyard.  Jesus told a parable in which he likened God’s people to a vineyard which God left to the charge of renters.  The renters were abusive to the returning servants, beating some, killing others.  Finally, the land owner sent his beloved son believing they would have to listen to him.  But they did not.   They killed him also.  In the parable Jesus says that the landowner will take the vineyard away from the abusers and give it to others.  The vineyard of God’s people had been mistreated by the rulers of the Jewish nation.  They had rejected and even killed God’s messengers.  Even his son.  So, God was going to find new renters – Gentiles to whom he would entrust his vineyard.

The second word picture this lesson examines is that of the olive tree.  In Romans eleven Paul develops this analogy which has some remarkable applications.  The obvious one again is the “grafting in” of the Gentiles so they could connect to the holiness of God’s root system.   What becomes remarkable within this text is how the holiness of God becomes the nurturing tap root for all who are a part of his olive tree.

To begin the lesson click on the play button below.

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