1ST WEEK OF ADVENT

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse. 

The branches of late fall and winter look barren and lifeless, don’t they? The “stump of Jesse”—the line of Judah’s kings—must have looked just as dead to the people of Isaiah’s time. Moral decay and miscarried justice had made the kingdom look like a wasteland, a forest hewn down by an axe (Isaiah 10:34). But God promised that a shoot would sprout from one trunk, a bud would blossom, and life and vitality would reemerge (11:1).

For the people of Jerusalem, that prophecy described an ideal king from the line of Jesse (King David’s father), someone who would rule as a king should. The Spirit of the Lord would settle on him, and he would restore the kingdom (Isaiah 11:2). And as they lived in peace, they would manifest God’s glory to the nations around them.

It sounded so glorious! But God’s plans were even more glorious than what Isaiah and the people who heard him understood. For that prophecy refers not just to a human king but to a heavenly one.

Of course, we have the benefit of two thousand years’ hindsight, so we can understand that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. He is the ultimate descendant of David who is now ascended to his throne in heaven. From that throne, he rules peaceably over all who come to him. He shows, by how he governs us, that he has the wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, and other gifts that Isaiah’s prophecy describes (11:2-3).

Even more wonderful, we all have received the same Spirit that rested upon Jesus (John 14:16-17). Remember that as you spend time with the Lord this Advent. Fruitful branches can blossom from what looks like dry ground and bare stumps in your life. The Spirit can give you wisdom and understanding during holiday family gatherings. He can give you strength to bear up under loneliness or other difficulties that arise at this time of year. What might look barren and lifeless in you really does hold life because a shoot has sprouted—Jesus, who is Life himself.

“Jesus, thank you for your life and the gifts of the Spirit that you share with me.”

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24