December 6, Rev. Aaron Schian

Isaiah 11:1, 10

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 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.

Not much promise with a stump. Moss and mushrooms cover them. The mushrooms are a sign of rot and decay. No future. Only more decomposition until it vanishes forever. Fruitless. Forgotten. Dead.

That’s how God’s people felt in their Babylonian Captivity. A vanishing bunch. The throne toppled. King David’s family tree chopped down. Only Jesse’s stump left! Nothing to look forward to sitting in lonely exile. Fruitless. Forgotten. Dead.

Not so fast! Prophet Isaiah proclaimed a promise to captive Israel, making them not just prisoners but prisoners of hope! There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit (Is. 11:1). Everything would be okay! There would be a teeny-tiny twig from Jesse’s stump! Not fruitless! Not forgotten! Not dead! “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!” That prayer answered! From the soil of the Virgin’s womb, the teeny-tiny twig sprouted! King David’s family tree had another branch growing! You can’t ask for a better branch for this branch—Branch Jesus—would be planted on Mt. Calvary to fulfill the prophet’s words: 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 (Is. 11:10).

Rest in the shadow of Branch Jesus! Come and feast on Branch Jesus’ low hanging fruit! His Body and His Blood given and shed for you! Not fruitless! Not forgotten! Not dead! Ever!

Rev. Aaron Schian

Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Auburn, Michigan

Christ Academy: High School Student 2003 Christ Academy: High School Professor 2022