Life Anchor

Isaiah 6:13 “And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
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Isaiah 11:1 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”
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Luke 2:30-32, 34-35 “For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel…34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
 
THE terebinth and oak trees in Israel could be cut down to a stump, lifeless to the eye. But even from a stump, they would become alive with new shoots to grow and again provide life-sustaining fuel for fires and shelter for homes.
   Isaiah is filled with such images of God’s judgment and salvation. The Spirit inspired the prophet to declare sin’s penalty and then mankind’s rise out of sin through God’s salvation. In their sin, Israel would look dead, apart from God. But then life would come from God’s holy seed. Jesus Christ is the shoot to rise from Jesse’s (David’s father) family.
   We also see this prophecy of salvation in Luke 2. This is Jesus’ circumcision. In the temple square Simeon prophesied the nations’ judgment and then their salvation through the boy in Mary’s arms. Salvation would cost the Savior and his mother. Jesus would be pierced with nails. And even Mary’s soul would be pierced with grief.
   To the world, Jesus would seem cut down, not even a stump remaining. From the grave, though, the shoot from Jesse would rise. Jesus would burst forth from the grave as the new shoots of an oak tree. He would shelter and comfort all who come to him with his eternal shelter.   
   How is your faith today? Does it feel cut down, perhaps lifeless? Might we look at empty pews in the church to mourn, “The church is but a dead stump. There is no life here.” Could we be too willing to allow doubt and fear to pierce our minds? If so, we must stop and know this: The church is planted to be God’s shelter for his people now and forever.
   The Spirit nourishes Jesus’ living water deep into our roots. He anchors Jesus’ resurrection in our soul. He strengthens hearts and minds to defend and serve the Branch raised to life. The church is God’s Tree of Life to unite the world with our Creator. Each day you are the church at work in the world. Each Sabbath you are to unite with others to produce life-giving fruit to feed a world hungry for meaning and purpose.
   Rejoice in God’s eternal promise that you are nourished and rooted in the eternal Branch. Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  
 
Prayer: Grow my roots deeply into you, Jesus. Empower my life to faithful fruit. Amen.