24 Dec The Branch: Our Hope and Glory

Christmas Eve

THE BRANCH: OUR HOPE AND GLORY

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Human beings all over the world are crying and complaining. Various challenges have hit the world in these few years. First came Covid-19, which changed the lifestyle of many, and then the Russian-Ukraine war and other military conflicts in the world, which have pushed the world into a severe economic crisis. Let us not forget the fight against discrimination, stigmatization, racism, oppression, various forms of injustice against humanity, and poverty. These systemic and systematic evils perpetuated by humans because of their selfish ambition and greed have led the world, which could have been a place of joy, possibilities, and a comfortable abode, to be a place of suffering and pain. Is there hope in such an evil world full of misery and suffering?

One could recount a similar situation during the time of Jeremiah, the prophet. Because of the people’s disobedience, they had to endure all these pains. Irrespective

of the noncompliance and the evil they had brought upon themselves due to their selfish desire and greed, God still promised them that there was hope for them. The prophet Jeremiah began to present the message of hope in Jeremiah 33. In verse 14, he pointed out that the Lord would perform a good thing among the people. Amid adversity, misery and pain, God still promises his people the good things he is about to do in their lives. Jeremiah continues to demonstrate how the good things God promises will take effect. In verse 15, it is mentioned that God was going to cause a “Branch of righteousness” to emanate from the bloodline of David. What was going to be the purpose of this Branch? The primary duty of this Branch is to execute judgement. The actions of the Branch will bring liberation to the people who have been oppressed, stigmatized, discriminated against, and rejected. As verse 16 puts it, the Branch will save anyone and anything held in bondage by the evils of this world, which includes living and non-living things. The Branch will acquire the name “The Lord our Righteousness.”

Beloved in the Lord, I might not know what you are going through, but as Jeremiah rightly said, the coming of the Branch is God’s answer to your pain and misery. Our hope in these trying times is the Branch who came in the person of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we remember His coming in this advent season, may we emulate His character of justice and righteousness to make the world better. Jesus Christ is indeed our hope and glory.

prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day and for sending your son Jesus Christ into this world. We thank you for the promise that you gave through your prophet. Even as we find ourselves in these days of pain and struggles, we pray that your spirit of justice may be uplifted. Grant us your peace, and let your peace and your love reign in this world. We thank you for this and many other blessings. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen!

for further thought

Is it possible to live a life without hope?

Samuel K.B. Nkrumah-Pobi

Azusa Revival Outreach Ministry, Ghana