PLANTS OF THE BIBLE

7. The Olive – Peace

“And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth”

Genesis 8:11
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The Bible is unlike any other book. It has God for its author and it is able to make us wise unto salvation. Jesus says that we are to “search the Scriptures” for they bear witness to him. If we are to truly benefit from the Bible then we must read it carefully and prayerfully. Then we will find that every chapter will direct us to Christ and his work of redemption.

Here we have another plant which when we study it closely points us to the Lord Jesus. The olive tree grows mainly in the countries which surround the Mediterranean Sea. The olive thrives in a hot, arid climate and is sometimes found on steep hillsides. The branches produce small, white flowers from which the olives are formed. They look like a small plum and contain a hard stone. The olive has been transplanted to North America and grows particularly well in the valleys of California.

The olive was common in Bible times. A place of which you will have heard is the mount of Olives on the eastern side of Jerusalem. The hill got its name from the number of olive trees growing upon its slopes. On the hill is the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus often went with his disciples. The olive tree has such a long life that it is possible that some of the trees growing there in our Lord’s day are still present today.

In our divided world the olive is sometimes made use of as a symbol of peace among men. Sadly people forget that the real problem is that we do not know peace with God. Because of our sin we are separated from God and are under his wrath and curse. The Son of God was made man that he might reconcile sinners to God by his own perfect righteousness. In Jesus Christ “righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psa.85:10). What can the olive tree tell us about this great salvation?

Firstly we think of the root of the olive tree. The olive has a deep root from which it gets its strength. The trunks of mature trees may be gnarled and twisted but in its season sap rises up within them from the root. In the same way Christ is the real source of the church’s life. In God’s gracious purpose all nations at length partake of “the root and fatness of the olive tree” (Rom.11:17), meaning salvation in Christ. The Jews are the ‘natural’ branches of the tree; they enjoyed God’s favour at the first but many were ‘broken off’ because of their unbelief. The Gentiles are the ‘wild’ branches; through faith they have now been ‘grafted in’ to the good olive tree and blessed. A day is coming when the Jews shall be grafted in again.

Salvation not only restores men to God but it also unites men in the fellowship of the church. Whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, black or white, it does not matter, for these divisions are done away with in Christ. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one” (Eph.2:14). If we are born again and united to Christ by faith then we are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:28). Has Jesus given new life to your soul?

Then we consider the shoot of the olive tree. The olive has slender leaves which remain green and fresh all year round. Likewise the gospel of Christ has power to save until the end of time. When Noah sent forth the dove from the ark the second time it quickly returned with a leaf it had taken from an olive tree. By this God was announcing peace between heaven and earth following the flood he had sent upon the world: the waters had destroyed the lives of wicked men but Noah had found grace in God’s sight. Now there was to be a new beginning for the world. The olive leaf is the gospel of peace from Christ the good olive tree.

When Christ was born the angels praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Since the fall of man God had proclaimed peace and reconciliation through Christ but now the Prince of Peace was present to make that peace by drying up the waters of divine wrath. Since then the everlasting gospel has been preached to the ends of the earth and will be until the last day. Have you believed the good news of a Saviour from sin?

Finally we note the fruit of the olive tree. The olive produces green fruits which later turn black. The trees are beaten to make them drop their fruit (Deut.24:20). Then the ripe olives are pressed and crushed to produce their oil. Similarly the grace of Christ comes to us only through the Saviour’s sufferings. The Word of God explains so clearly what happened at Calvary: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa.53:5). Jesus willingly and lovingly bore the burden of our guilt and God punished him in our place.

By dying for the sins of his people Jesus has purchased for them the grace of the Holy Spirit, all that is needed to bring them out from under the wrath of God and into the full enjoyment of his rich favour. Let us remember that salvation is a costly thing. Though it is God’s free gift to sinners it has been paid for with a great price, for Jesus “made peace through the blood of his cross” (Col.1:20). Those who are redeemed by Christ will love him with all their hearts and serve him with their whole lives. Do you?