The Olive Tree Metaphor

YEHOSHUA 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 Yehoshua as the foundational root and believers as the branches sustained by him. Yehoshua Mashiach is pictured as both the Vine and the Root—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. Believers are the branches that grow from this Vine. The root is unseen, just as our life is hidden in Messiah; the root supports the tree and supplies it with all it needs, illustrating how Messiah sustains all believers.

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

The Father Yehovah is the Husbandman, caring for the vineyard. No husbandman is wiser or more watchful than YHVH-God is over his believers. Therefore, his "WAY" prospers. We must be fruitful branches—grapes come from vines, and spiritual fruit from believers: temperance, character, and life. By honoring YHVH-God and following Yehoshua Mashiach, we bear fruit. Unfruitful branches are removed. Even fruitful branches need pruning; the best still have elements to be removed for growth. Messiah promises to work for believers' sanctification, to which they respond in gratitude.

The WORD of Yehoshua Mashiach is spoken to all believers. 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 the Messiah and have union with Him by faith. In this way, it is the great concern of all Messiah's Talmidim (disciples) to maintain dependence upon Yehoshua and communion with the Father Yehovah.

True believers 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 abide not in Yehoshua 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 Yehoshua 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