Grapevine
Newsletter
Two
Olive Trees
In
2005 we had the privilege of taking our
family
on a tour of the
land
of
Israel
. One of the first things you notice in
Israel
is the olive trees. In
Israel
olive trees represent ownership of the land. If you own the
olive tree, you own the land that the olive tree is planted on.
One day on our tour, our guide, Yossi, shared the
different philosophies of planting and growing an
olive tree in the
land
of
Israel
; the Arab
perspective
and the Jewish perspective.
Yossi explained that the Arab farmers first take a
cutting and place it in a hole dug for the new tree. The shoot
is then watered and given the necessary fertilizer to grow.
Eventually the tree grows and bears fruit. This is the Arab
method of growing an olive tree.
The Jewish method begins the same as the Arab method, with a
cutting. However,
that is where the similarities end. The Israeli farmers place
the little shoot into a soil plug and tend to it in a
nursery until it is strong enough to be transplanted. While in
the nursery the little sapling is watered, fertilized, and cared
for to ensure it grows strong. In due time the gardener sees
that the plant is ready and transplants it into the field, where
it eventually bears fruit.
At this point Yossi stopped and asked if we had any
questions. Our question was,
"What is the difference between the two
trees?". He
paused and said, "The quality of the fruit".
The
Lord commissions us to "Go and make disciples". As
you look at those the Lord has entrusted you to disciple,
how are you growing your "shoots"? Are you just
giving them the bare minimum that they will need to grow
and bear fruit, or are you tenderly nurturing them and
overseeing their proper growth, equipping them to be solid trees
that bear high quality fruit?
How
can we ensure that our little plants grow up to be strong
disciples, and in turn make disciples? Mark 16:28 gives us clue,
Grapevine
Studies exists to provide tools for teachers and parents,
helping them to disciple others so that they will grow and bear
fruit wherever they're transplanted. May God bless you as
you tend the trees in your nursery.
Serving
Him with Stick Figures,
Dianna
Grapevine
Studies
ã2008 by Grapevine Studies
This
article may be used only in its original and complete form.
Other uses must have the permission of the author.
This article may be freely reprinted or forwarded
as long as the entire article and postscript are included.
ã2008
By Grapevines Studies
www.grapevinestudies.com
