Articles
The Branch of Jesse
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1).
The Jews mistakenly expected the Messiah to be a mighty temporal prince with armies that would break the yoke of Roman oppression. They did not learn that from Isaiah.
From Jesse's stem a shoot will sprout forth and a green branch burst forth from its roots. The very thought of a tender stem springing from a hewn stump seems inconsistent with the idea of a mighty Messiah. At the time of Isaiah's prophesy, powerful empires such as Assyria and Babylon ruled the world. It would seem inconceivable that the Savior could arise from the lowly state of David's household.
During the time of another world power – the Roman Empire – at a time chosen by God, when David's house was reduced to its lowest state, a virgin, a poor peasant girl, gave birth to a child would be the Savior of the world.
This Savior was born into a poor family, born in a manger in the village of Bethlehem. Herod would have killed the child if he had been allowed. After a sojourn in Egypt, his parents made their home in lowly Nazareth.
John records, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
This Savior grew and began to receive attention. Luke records: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”. (Luke 2:52) They marveled at His signs and wonders, and even His very words. They were astonished at His wisdom and understanding.
Ultimately, the branch of Jesse became a wise teacher, a gracious healer, a suffering servant, and the means of victory over sin and death. The despised tree of David became a healer of nations whose fruit was for the redemption of a world which was dead in sin.
He is our Savior!
