February 3, 2004

THE BRANCH

"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the Lord" (Zechariah 6:12, NKJV).

This prophetic description, "the BRANCH," is one of the striking messianic titles of Jesus. It occurs six times in the Old Testament prophecies. The title highlights four unique functions of the Messiah. In his identity with divinity, Christ is the "Branch of the Lord" (Isaiah 4:2, NKJV). As such, He is inseparably one with God yet He condescended to become one with the human race in order to rescue and fully restore mankind (see Isaiah 7:14). Jesus is further described as "My Servant, the BRANCH" (Zechariah 3:8, NKJV). In this role, He is the suffering servant through whose obedience, suffering, and death, we are saved from sin and its consequences (see Isaiah 52:13-15; Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus is also identified as "The Man whose name is the BRANCH" (Zechariah 6:12, NKJV). This portrait emphasizes His humanity.

Finally, Christ is depicted as a "branch. . . out of his [Jesse's] roots" (Isaiah 11:1). This is the majestic portrait of Jesus who descended from the royal line of King David. It points to Jesus Christ as the supreme King of kings and Lord of lords who at the end of the age will establish His indestructible kingdom that will stand forever.

As the Branch, Jesus is the God-man, the suffering servant, and the royal king. Of Him, Ellen G. White observes: "Christ was this Branch, the highest branch of the highest cedar. He was the plant of the Lord's setting."--Signs of the Times, July 12, 1899. In this royal Branch rests all the hopes and aspirations of God's people. As surely as He came in the fullness of time as Redeemer, deliverer, and Saviour, He will soon appear as King forever.

My Prayer Today: Lord, as the Branch, Christ is everything to me. May I always live in submission to His divine sovereignty. Amen.