References to Jesus are smattered throughout the book of Isaiah. A primary designation is the tree metaphor complete with roots, shoots, stumps and branches.

• Root = progenitor
• Stump = the remnant of Jesse’s (King David’s father) family that will survive
• Shoot/Branch = the Messiah (and the restored remnant and the grafted in Gentiles)

Isaiah promises a messianic king will come from David’s family tree:

• 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 NIV)
• 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.” (Isaiah 6:13 NIV)
• A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1 NIV)
• In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10 NIV)
• He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2 NIV)
• “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 23:5–6 NIV)
• I am going to bring my servant, the Branch…. and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.” (Zechariah 3:8–9 NIV)
• Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.” (Zechariah 6:12 NIV)

Paul identifies this root/branch/shoot as Jesus in his letter to the Romans. Better yet, Jesus calls himself the Root and the Offspring of David.

• And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” (Romans 15:11–12 NIV)
• I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16 NIV)

Jesus is the hope of all nations! He has grafted us into him. Now we are the shoot he has planted, the work of his hands, for the display of his splendor. If we remain attached to him, we too will bear fruit.

• If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, (Romans 11:17 NIV)
• Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. (Isaiah 60:21 NIV)
• “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)

How is the Root of Jesse your hope?

How are you displaying his splendor?

PRAYER

Jesus, our Messiah, I am awed that Isaiah’s prophecy was so accurate. Even more amazing is that you grafted me into your family. You say I am the work of your hand for the display of your splendor. Teach me how to display your splendor. I want to remain in you, not only because you give my life purpose and productivity, but also because I just love being with you.