Thankful for Christ

Jeremiah, one of the major Hebrew prophets address the neglect of some leaders of Israel.

These leaders included not just political leaders but also religious authorities and even other prophets.

Jeremiah relayed strong words from the Lord

They were accused of “scattering” the Lord’s flock, driving them away, and not attending to them.

The Lord said he would “attend” to them.

“I will attend to you” almost sounds like gangster threatening his people with “I will come and handle it myself.”

But, hadn’t God sworn an oath of mercy for his people? Rescue of his people from their enemies?

Entrusting shepherds or leaders alone was not going to cut it.

They didn’t keep the covenant of God faithfully.

They could not lead their people in purity of righteousness much less save the people.

In Luke, two criminals had been crucified next to Jesus.

One of them was defiant and told Jesus to save himself if he has any power to do so.

The other man owned his wrongdoing and felt forgotten by God.

These two men had no hope to be forgiven, but one hoped he might be remembered.

It’s easy to be forgotten when people right you off, thinking nothing or no one can redeem you.

They might have been thought of as dead branches.

When branches are not fed or receive sun, they start to wither, splinter, and die.

When large branches are ready to fall, they may take other branches with them.

Sometimes, careful pruning is needed to prevent disaster.

Who doesn’t feel like they are forgotten by God at some point? Especially when we have made a habit of neglecting the things of God.

Happy and healthy branches produce good fruit.

Like branches that are cared for, we are recognized by God and tended to by God to produce good fruit and multiply.

And sometimes, other branches can be grafted onto healthy trees to produce more good fruit.

If God was going to keep his promises to his people, God would have to provide a unique way to redeem them.

If God was going to keep his promises to his people to be with them, to gather them to himself, to rescue them from their enemies, and make them happy and holy; God would have to provide a unique way for his people to be saved from all sin and evil.

Defying conventional understanding of the use of power for selfish gain, or even to deflect harm, Jesus remained committed to his mission to save all humanity from sin and evil.

In Luke, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist prophesied not just about his own son but also the “mighty savior” of “the house of his servant David.”

Zechariah’s “mighty savior” of David calls back to the “righteous Branch” of David, who “shall reign as king” and by whom “Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety.”

The Lord “looked favorably on his people” and would “redeem them.”

Their being saved provided them the opportunity to “serve him without fear, bring made “holy and righteous.”

Since Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth could not have children, receiving news of their coming son was blessing enough, but he would also have divine purpose.

All of this saving, redeeming, and making holy and righteous is done entirely by the mercy of God.

John the Baptist would be born first and prepare the way of “the mighty savior,” the “Most High” that John would prophesy.

Jesus would be born after John, and John recognized his own need for Jesus to baptize him.

Jesus is the righteous Branch, the mighty savior, the servant of David, the Christ, Messiah!

Jesus demonstrated divine authority when he forgave the thief on the cross who admitted his guilt and asked for recognition.

This is the true power and authority of Christ providing the way of peace through faith, in repentance, receiving God’s mercy and grace.

The way of Christ, Messiah, was opened to all when he gave up his life on the cross.

GW: It is God who gathers his people, redeems them and makes them fruitful.

When we first come to Christ, we are removed from the branch full of decay and death, and we are grafted in the righteous branch of Christ.

When we stay connected to Christ, we remain in the light of the Son and produce good fruit.

When good fruit is produced in our lives and become strong, then others may be grafted into the righteous branch of Christ with us.