“Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight will be in the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11.2-3a).

The stump of Jesse is the failed line of kings coming after David, Jesse’s son. All hope seems lost. The tree or Israel is cut down. But a green shoot appears in the crack of the stump. Alive with hope, a branch from the roots of the stump will bear fruit. That branch is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will succeed and the Spirit of LORD will rest upon Him.

Acts 10.38 says that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. At His baptism, John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him” (John 1.32). The Spirit did not depart from Jesus throughout His ministry. God gave the Spirit without measure to Jesus. That is, Jesus was filled to overflowing with the Spirit.

When Jesus began His ministry, He was rejected by His own in Nazareth. He entered the synagogue on a Sabbath day and stood to read the scroll of Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4.18-19). 

He then rolled up the scroll and sat down. All eyes were fixed on Him when He concluded, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” The Branch of Promise was bearing fruit.

Father, may I abide in Christ today so that I may be filled with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to resist sin and be right before those who are outside. Use me to lead them to Christ and Christ to them. Show people that hope is not lost …that it is as alive as the green shoot which becomes the branch bearing fruit.