The Olive Tree Metaphor

Using a olive tree metaphor would yield: “I am the Roots (Netzar) and you are the Branches (the Netzarim).” And there shall come forth a rod of Jesse and a branch out of the stem out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1

Yehoshua Mashiach is the Vine, the TRUE Vine. The union of the human and Divine natures, and the fulness of the Spirit that is in him, resemble the root of the vine made fruitful by the moisture from a rich soil. Believers are branches of this Vine. The root is unseen, and our life is hid in Messiah; the root bears the tree, diffuses sap to it, and in Messiah are all supports and supplies.

The branches of the vine are many, yet, meeting in the root, are all but one vine; thus all true believers or Netzarim “The WAY”, though in place and opinion distant from each other, meet in Messiah. Believers, like the branches of the vine, are weak, and unable to stand but as they are borne up. The Father Yehovah, is the Husbandman. Never was any husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his vineyard, as YHVH-God is about his believers “WAY”, which therefore must prosper. We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, and from a believer we look for spiritual fruit, temperance, disposition, and life. We must honor YHVH-God, and follow our example Yehoshua Mashiach; this is bearing fruit. The unfruitful are taken away. And even fruitful branches need pruning; for the best have notions, passions, and humours, that require to be taken away, which Messiah has promised to forward the sanctification of believers, they will be thankful, for them.

The WORD of Yehoshua Mashiach is spoken to all believers; and there is a cleansing virtue in that WORD, as it works grace, and works out corruption. And the more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in what is good, the more our Master is glorified.In order to bear fruit, we must abide in Messiah, must have union with him by faith. It is the great concern of all Messiah's Talmidim (disciples), constantly to keep up 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, their corruptions to revive, and their comforts to droop. Those who abide not in Messiah, though they may flourish for awhile in outward profession, yet come to nothing. The fire is the fittest place for withered branches; they are good for nothing else. Let us seek to live more simply on the fulness of Yehoshua Mashiach, and to grow more fruitful in every good word and work, so may our joy in Him and in his salvation be full.