His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree. Hosea 14:6
Olives may or may not grace my table this Christmas season, but the olive tree has won a place in my heart. I know this world could use an extension of this beautiful olive branch too. An olive branch is more than a symbol of peace. The olive tree is the the divine representation of peace. Jesus Christ was given to us as the true olive tree on the cross. He extended His life as the truest symbol of peace.
In the Old Testament the olive tree signified Christ and His peace. The dove brought back an olive branch after the flood, showing that the earth was alive and healthy with living fruit of the earth. King David declared among the people the desire to be like the olive tree in the house of Lord. (Psalm 52:8) Later his son, King Solomon built two cherubims made from the olive tree, each ten cubits high over the altar of the Lord. Representing God’s peace and presence over the law. The doors to the temple were also made from olive trees revealing that Christ was the way to open the door.
In the New Testament, the olive branch is extended to the the wild olive shoot (the Gentile race) that can be grafted in along with the natural branches (Israelites). “For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.” (Romans 11:24) This shows God’s plan to extend eternal life to all people. In the end and as foretold in Revelation 11:4, there will be two witnesses as representatives of the true olive tree extending the peace of God to the nations.
God’s plan is crystal clear and laid out from Genesis to Revelation. Christ came to save the world. He is the Prince of Peace. A beautiful, perfect olive branch extended out for you and me. Peace on Earth. Good news to all men.
Extending Peace
Past. Present. Future.
Who can I extend the olive branch to this season? How has His peace transformed my life?