A shoot from Jesse
Opening Prayer
Where there was death, Father, you brought life. Where there was judgement, you offered reconciliation. Thank you that, in Jesus, life and reconciliation are mine!
Read Isaiah 11:1-2
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Meditation
In the 8th century B.C. Isaiah prophesied before the rebellious people of Judah. He spoke of something wondrous that would rise out of ruin—a shoot would come from the stump of Jesse. While judgement was coming, life and restoration were promised. Coming humbly, that shoot, the Messiah, would be complete with the Spirit of the Lord resting on him. Judgement will still come, but in Jesus, the promise is fulfilled, in him there is life and restoration for those who put their trust in him.