4th Day of Advent: The Branch

 

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In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 

Isaiah 4:2

When we think of branches, we often think of trees and then family trees.  When it comes to Jesus, His family tree was unique.  He had human ancestors: He was in the line of David whose father was Jesse.  He came from men in Israelite tribes.  Out of the ashes of these human men, a Shoot and Branch will emerge bearing fruit--that's Jesus, fully human yet also fully God. 

Another way I think of branches are olive branches.  Olive branches are a sign of peace.  You know the old saying, "Extend the olive branch" when you need to extend peace.  Well it came from the Bible (shocker!!).  When God sent the flood, Noah knew the water receded when the dove came back with an olive tree.  There was peace on Earth once again (at least for a short while) (Genesis 8).

Jesus is that olive Branch that God extends to the world.  He is offering Peace through Jesus, reconciliation to Himself.  If you believe in Jesus, He restores us to a right relationship with God the Father because He paid the penalty for our sins.  We no longer have to be at odds with God because Jesus, the Branch, connects us to God.  

He is so beautiful and deserves all the glory.  The fruit He bears is transformed lives.  Transformation isn't an expedient process but rather a slow journey (I feel like I've been going in slow-mo lately).  Jesus has transformed my life, one day and one thought at a time.  How have you seen the fruit of Jesus in your life?

In His Love,

A