(06-12-02) Shoot of Jesse

Jeremiah 33:14-16

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfil the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

15“‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.’”

Luke 21:25-36

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

29He told them this parable: Look at the fig-tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

Tamar – Genesis 38:6ff

Rahab – hid spies – Joshua 2:6-17, 22-25

God still acts in character, keeps his promises, and is always ready with surprises for those who trust Him.

Paul – what he considered gain he now counts loss – but God uses his past – his vicious past – to spread his good news miles and miles from Jerusalem

Stories made up!

Signs in the sun, moon and stars could easily be references to great nations, kingdoms and empires ‘going through convulsions’. Think of Joseph and his dreams – we can see Jesus’ words in at least these two ways – literally, Jerusalem was ransacked in AD70 and the temple burned.

But also, South Africa, Berlin Wall…

4 emperors in quick succession

SON OF MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!