A branch will grow from the trunk of Jesse › Isaiah 11:1.

Tree branches look barren and lifeless at the end of autumn or during winter. Even the genealogy of the kings of Judah – “the tribe of Jesse” – must have seemed like a dead stump to the people of Isaiah’s time. Moral decay and unjust laws caused the kingdom to resemble a wasteland, like forest thickets that fell under the ax (cf. Isaiah 10:34). But God promised that “a branch will grow from the trunk and a shoot will grow from the roots” (Isaiah 11:1) and life and vitality will reappear. The people of Jerusalem saw this prophecy as a description of a perfect king from the line of Jesse (father of King David), someone who would rule as a proper king should judge. “The spirit of the Lord will rest on him,” and he will restore the kingdom (Isaiah 11:2).

And with his life in peace and tranquility, he will reveal God’s glory to the surrounding nations. It sounds amazing! But God’s plans were even more noble than perhaps Isaiah and the people who listened to him imagined. For this prophecy did not only foretell an earthly king but prophesied the coming of a heavenly King. It is already clear to us – with more than two thousand five hundred years since the utterance of this prophecy – that the definitive fulfillment of this prophecy was and is Jesus. He is a descendant of David, who ascended to his throne in heaven. From this throne, in fullness of peace, he rules over all who come to him. By the way, he rules over us, showing that he has the spirit of wisdom and understanding, advice and strength, and all the other gifts that Isaiah describes in his prophecy (11, 2-3).

Even more impressive is that we have all received the same Spirit that rested on Jesus (John 14, 16-17). Remember this when you spend time with the Lord during Advent. Fruitful sprouts can arise even from what in your life looks like dry ground and bare branches. Spirit can give you the gift of wisdom and understanding during holiday family gatherings. It can give you the gift of strength to overcome loneliness or other difficulties that may appear at this time of the year. After all, that which looks barren and dead in you carries life within itself because “a sprout sprouted” – Jesus, who is Life itself.