Friday 20 December 2024
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. (v. 1)
Background
As a presbyter in the Methodist Church, when I die there will be notice of my demise in the Minutes of Conference. I have often wondered how that might sound and, in the end (and in typical Una style!) have decided to write my own. It would start something like this: "Una was the only surviving daughter of Angus and Doreen McLean. Born in Manchester her father was a professional footballer so Una’s childhood and teenage years were spent moving around the UK – a good grounding for her later life in the presbyteral ministry."
On that note we return to the theme of genealogy in our reading today. We read of the promise of a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (v. 1), meaning a descendant of Jesse’s son David, who was the great King of Israel.
The passage then goes on to describe this descendant: he is one on whom the Spirit of God rests; who shows wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of God; and he is someone who will delight in God.
It continues by describing his attitudes and behaviour, which will be just and righteous in dealing with all people.This is followed by the images of God’s kingdom rule where all of creation lives in harmony.
Living in a transient, unsettled, broken, divided and unsettling world, such images seem almost impossible to contemplate within our society. Yet I have met these hopes in so many people who choose to live as people of peace, inclusion, forgiveness, justice and compassion.
Just as Isaiah dreams and reveals God’s kingdom in his wonderful words and descriptions so may we, who say we believe, can make them a reality in our own lives and living.
To Ponder:
- How can your life reflect God’s kingdom values?
Prayer
Lord of light, peace, compassion and grace, we offer ourselves to become reflections of your kingdom values in this restless and divided world. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Una McLean
Una is a retired presbyter living in Northumberland with her small dog Patricia. She enjoys all manner of craft work, reading, theatre, cinema and music. She also participates in Traildog events, which grew out of people running in local park runs with their dogs (today she and Patricia walk them as Una treasures her knees).