Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Our Lord is Coming 

Isaiah 11:1-10
‘’There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.’’ (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Isaiah lived 700 years before Christ, but this passage talks about the prophecy about Christ. Isaiah says that the Messiah will be both the shoot and root of Jesse and that he will bear abundant fruit. And this fruit will be the kingdom of life and peace for people all over the world and for all creation.

Do you know who is this Jesse mentioned here? Jesse is David’s father who was a simple farmer and sheep owner who is remembered today as the father of the great King David. Jesse’s son became king not because of Jesse’s strength or brilliance, but by the grace of God.

Isaiah is prophesying here with regard to the stump of Jesse. The ‘dead stump’ mentioned here might feel insignificant at first, but it will grow into a new and living shoot. It might be small at first, but will rise up and become a fruitful tree. The ‘shoot’ here symbolized hope. It is a picture of the coming of Christ. Isaiah prophecies that, after many years of darkness and hopelessness, there would come a little lively shoot, in the form of a baby named Jesus. The prophet promises that God will send a leader who will rule in justice and mercy towards all. 

Reading this beautiful text in the season of Advent will bring peace and hope to our minds. We live in a world of pandemics, natural disasters, and hearing deadly news. No wonder it is so difficult to faithfully live in the image as Isaiah portrays. These are dark days indeed. Yet, to overcome these, those who profess to follow Prince of peace will bring hope to our minds that a new world is possible. 
 
In many ways, this passage cuts through our unfaithfulness and goes right to the point. In this passage there is a declaration made that although Israel and Judah will be cut down totally, like a tree, it is not the end because a shoot will come from the stump; and a new leader will come from the line of David. Hope is born anew. This king will not be like those unfaithful leaders of Israel and Judah but will rule with wisdom and integrity, bringing peace and justice for all people. There is a light burning in the darkness.

 

Prayer
O God, our Father, help us live our lives in hope and guide us to walk in your light, and may that light shine in and through our very beings every day. Amen

 

Silla George
Karakkal St Thomas Mar Thoma Church

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