Sermon Snippet – Isaiah’s Branch
INTRODUCTION – Our studies in Isaiah have demonstrated that this Biblical book is Messianic, speaking often of the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The use of the imagery of a branch is evocative, consistent with the poetry of this evangelical prophet (as Isaiah is often called). The branch is a symbol of fruitfulness. Let us consider this symbolism together.
1. GOD PROMISED ISRAEL A BOUNTIFUL LAND
As God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, He stated that He would give them “a land that floweth with milk and honey” (Deuteronomy 11:9). Yes, God provides good things, and His Word tells us about this goodness with the best, the most beautiful language. However, in Isaiah’s day, most of the people had fallen into gross idolatry, and they were being graciously judged (Isaiah 1:7-8). To remain in idolatry was worse than temporary destruction of the land, for it meant eternal separation from the goodnesses of God and from God Himself. The vineyard, representing Israel, would be chopped down (5:1-7), but it would be restored when the people were cured of idolatry (27:2-6). An abiding principle for all of us is this: if we will not serve God, we will be enslaved by idols. Money, power, drugs – these are all potential idols. There are others, including popularity, a terrible tyrant in a culture obsessed with social media. In the good hand and good land of God, though, we are free and fruitful and can “fill the face of the world with fruit” (verse 6).
2. PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PLANTS
God created all things, of course. Thus, all things have value. However, humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), and from humans came the Messiah, God the Son, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 11:1 confirms that, although the nation of Israel would be chastised, from it would come the “Branch,” the Savior, Whose fruitfulness would be available to all, including “the Gentiles” (verse 10). Jesus was of the line of “Jesse” (verse 1), as delineated in Matthew 1:5-6. As a direct descendant of Jesse’s son David, Jesus (fully human and fully divine) became the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant with King David, in which God promised, “Thy throne shall be established forever” (II Samuel 7:16). Jesus is the “Branch.”
3. THIS BRANCH DIES
Isaiah 53:2 continues the imagery of the branch and applies it to the Messiah. Then, in verse 8, we find the inexplicable: He would be “cut off.” How can a dead branch be fruitful? The New Testament enables us to understand in detail. First, in Matthew 2:23, we read of Jesus the following: “He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ “ Where is this Old Testament prophecy found? It is in Isaiah 11:1, for the Hebrew word for “Branch” is nezer. Jesus, the descendant of David, is the promised “Branch,” the predicted “Nazarene.” Second, we remember that Jesus was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), making useful products out of something dead. He has done the same with us, “who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). In fact, He has done more than make us useful: He has taken dead wood and made it eternally alive. Third, we recall the kind invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus had undoubtedly mended and made yokes. He offers to be yoked to us – and we know Who will be doing all of the pulling! Fourth, how was all of this everlasting fruitfulness achieved? Only by Jesus’ sacrificial and substitutionary death on a wooden cross could our sins be forgiven (Luke 23:33-34a). Only Jesus could take a human implement of death and transform it into an instrument of life – eternal life…
CONCLUSION – …for He rose from the dead on the third day as He promised. I Corinthians 15:20 proclaims, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits,” ensuring fruitfulness now and forever if we simply place our trust in Him. May each one of us be certain today that our faith is squarely and solely in the Savior, Jesus Christ.