The Olive Tree Metaphor

Y'HOSHUA OUR TREE OF LIFE

Using the olive tree metaphor:
"I am the Roots (Netzar), and you are the Branches (the Netzarim)." As Isaiah 11:1 says, a rod shall come forth from Jesse, and a branch will grow from his roots. Here, the metaphor identifies Y'hoshua as the foundational root:

"Root of David" refers to Y'hoshua HaMashiach, highlighting both His divine origin and His lineage as a descendant of King David. It signifies that Y'hoshua is the source of David's royal line while also being a part of it, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Mashiach.

The talmidim are the branches sustained by him. Y'hoshua Mashiach is pictured as the Vine. Yisrael is the Root by the way of the patriarchs, the prophets, and mashiach—the TRUE source of life.

In him, the union of the human and Divine (Col 2:9) and the fullness of the Spirit resemble the root of the vine, drawing nourishment from rich soil. Talmidim are the branches that grow from this Vine. The root is unseen, just as our life is hidden in Mashiach; the root supports the tree and supplies it with all it needs, illustrating how Mashiach sustains all His talmidim.

The vine has many branches, yet all are one through their connection to the single root. In the same way, all true talmidim (disciples) or Netzarim (Nazarenes), even if separated by place or opinion, are united in the Mashiach as branches in the Vine. Like vine branches, believers are weak and rely entirely on support from the root.

Avinu Y'hovah is the husbandman, caring for the vineyard. No husbandman is wiser or more watchful than Avinu Y'hovah is over his talmidim. Therefore, his "WAY" prospers us. We must be fruitful branches—grapes come from vines, and spiritual fruit from His talmidim: temperance, character, and life. By honoring Avinu Elohei and following Rabbi Y'hoshua Mashiach, we bear fruit.

Unfruitful branches are removed. Even the most fruitful branches need pruning; the best still have elements that can be removed for optimal growth. Messiah promises to work for talmidim sanctification, to which they respond in gratitude.

The WORD of Y'hoshua Mashiach is spoken to all talmidim. There is a cleansing virtue in that WORD, as it works grace and removes corruption.

As we bring forth more fruit, we abound in what is good, and our Master is increasingly glorified. Therefore, to bear fruit, we must abide in HaMashiach and have union with Him by emunah. In this way, it is the great concern of all Mashiach's talmidim (disciples) to maintain dependence upon Rabbi Y'hoshua and communion with the Avinu Y'hovah.

True talmidim find by experience that any interruption in the exercise of their faith causes holy affections to decline; as a result, their corruptions revive, and their comforts droop.

Furthermore, those who do not abide in Y'hoshua Mashiach may flourish for a while in outward profession, yet they come to nothing. Thus, the fire is the fittest place for withered branches; they are good for nothing else. Therefore, let us seek to live more simply on the fullness of Y'hoshua Mashiach and grow more fruitful in every good Word and work, so that our joy in Him and in his salvation may be full.

By Rabbi HaTzair M. Francisco Arbas