Читать книгу Beyond the Horizon - Harry A. Renfree - Страница 27

January 21

The Roman Emperor, Hadrian, who reigned soon after the New Testament era, saw in his travels one day an old man planting olive trees. Knowing that olives are one of the slowest growing trees, the Emperor said to the bent and frail man, “Those trees you plant will not bear olives for years to come. Do you expect to live long enough to enjoy the rewards of your labor?”

The toiling man looked up and replied, “If deity will, I shall, and if not, my sons will eat of the fruit of my labor. My father and his father before him planted olive trees that I might have their fruit. It is now my duty to help provide for those who will come after I have gone.”7

God’s Word points on a number of occasions to the very special status we can secure as Christians. Jesus Himself said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man [or woman] remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5a). The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:17a writes: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co–heirs with Christ.” Indeed, as the Apostle Peter points out in 1 Peter 3:7b, we are “. . . heirs . . . of the gracious gift of life.” Not only the gift of life, but also the gift of new life.

Should we not then plant some olive trees with olive branches so that those who follow may know the same peace . . . the peace that passes all understanding?