Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 60:1-22; Luke 1:39-56
“There shall come forth a Rod from Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1)
I have this “tree stump” next to my pool. To say the least, it has seen better days. Yet, out of it grows this branch, this sign of life, this reason to believe all is not lost, that tomorrow still holds out the hope of life, the promise of food and shelter for the birds of the air, not to mention some much needed shade from the scorching sun for all who swim in my pool.
Kind of like Jesus, isn't it? When all seemed lost, when it seemed that God had forsaken His people and forgotten them, there came Jesus, born of Mary, now come to the Jordan to be baptized by John. There, in the water, the Spirit descended from above, and rested upon Jesus (John 1:32).
That's how John the Baptist knew Jesus was our Savior. Rather than be left endlessly to guess where He might be, John was told that the Spirit would rest on the One Who was God's Son, Who was sent in human flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. When That One showed up in the water, that's how John knew. The Spirit would descend, as a dove, and remain on Him.
Whenever you see in Scripture a reference to the Spirit, smile. Smile as you confess in the Nicene Creed that the Spirit is “the Lord and giver of life.” He takes what is of Jesus, and applies, announces and declares that to you (John 15:26). No wonder, in the Apostles' Creed, you don't get to forgiveness and life everlasting until the Third Article, where the Holy Spirit is confessed.
“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him.” We know that the Spirit did that, for “His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. ...” (Isaiah 11:3-4). The poor and the meek –– that's us, and all sinners.
Can you hear that in the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3, 5)? If so, then you can hear this: “Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist” (Isaiah 11:5). Righteousness for whom? Faithfulness for whom? Go back to the beatitudes (5:6): They are for you! Others may decide by what they see or hear from you. But, not God. He'll decide by what He sees and hears from Jesus. Thank God for the food and shelter of this Rod and Branch!
So, even when all seems lost on account of your sins, because Jesus –– like a warrior of old –– got ready, dressed Himself to do what you cannot do for yourself, grabbing righteousness and faithfulness, God will now judge you by what He sees and hears from Him. That's food and shelter! Just what the Spirit promises you now in God's Word, Washing and Supper.