Has God cast away Israel? Never! That’s the answer given in Romans 11.
John chapter 15 begins with the words of Jesus, “I am the true vine”. The disciples are now called friends. They are no longer just students, servants, or disciples. This begins a new relation between these 11 men and their Saviour. They are troubled about their future. Their lives will seriously be threatened. All they knew was the Temple system. They will need to put their trust in Christ alone. This is the metaphor of the vine. Jesus reminds them of the Comforter to come.
The people of Israel will one day learn that they, too, will be grafted back into the vine. The church is the wild branch, while Israel is the natural branch. Both have unique promises assured them.
There’s a time coming when the dispensation of the fulness of the Gentiles will come to an end. (Romans 11). There is also a time when all Israel shall be saved. The church is never to replace Israel. This is the strength of the relationship of the vine and the branches.
