The Wild Olive Shoot

As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:28-36 ESV).

I love a good mystery. Early in my childhood I began to read all of the mystery novels I could get. I read the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. As I got older I was introduced to Sherlock Holmes and read every one of those mysteries. Even today I have all of the old Sherlock Holmes episodes starring Basil Rathbone. The newer versions are very good, too. One of the most interesting thing about all of the mysteries is how somehow, no matter how complex the mystery, there would be both a solution and a happy ending with good triumphing over evil in the end. I like happy endings. Our reading is an example of a mystery having a solution and a happy ending. The apostle examines the problem of redemption for sinful man. He declares that all Israel will be saved; and, Gentiles receive mercy in this new covenant through the work of Christ. God has mercy on us all. Even better, like a good mystery, the evildoers get caught, and justice is served. There are many things in today’s passage that are easily misunderstood. Reading the words apart from the flow of the Letter to the Romans, one could develop some pretty unorthodox theology, as has been evidenced throughout the centuries since Paul wrote it. The truth is that God isn’t saving everyone, not even every national Jew. There is no universal quick-fix for mankind’s sin that suddenly makes us all adorable to God. God isn’t replacing Jews with Gentiles, or Israel with the Church. God doesn’t whitewash disobedience or act like sin and rebellion don’t matter. And God doesn’t go back on His Word. The truth being affirmed throughout Romans is that all humanity is under the same curse. We’re all sinners. We all need the grace proffered in the work of Jesus Christ. God is victorious and merciful. God-lovers are saved and God-haters aren’t. And, God honors His promises. The mystery is how God works it all out. It is accomplished solely in the work of Christ. Celebrate that happy ending in your life today!