“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse (see also 6:13), 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.” (11:1-2)

What beautiful imagery: a perfect, righteous, wise, mighty branch emerging from an old, defeated stump. The glorious hope for our fears, death, decay and foolish limitations not being the end of our tragically rebellious story. When all our choices resulted in death, only the creator of life could come forward to complete the task we so presumptuously failed to accomplish.

What’s even more humbling, is this salvation doesn’t come from an outside, disconnected place. It pokes out of the dejected stump. Jesus was like one of us, to accomplish something none of us could do.

“In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples–of Him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” (11:10)

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” (12:2)

“Sing praises to the LORD, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth” (12:5)

Hallelujah! Do you know Him? When you read this, do you tingle? Is this the Jesus you’ve heard of and know? 

Tell someone how incredible He is today!

-Bethany