ROMANS 15:12

“Again Isaiah says, ‘THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM WILL THE GENTILES HOPE.’”

One thing I have learned about removing invasive plants is you must remove the root. Just snipping off the top won’t work. And if you want to transplant a tree or plant, you need to dig down deep enough to include the root. A tree or plant without a root won’t survive. Alright, that’s my gardening tip for the day.

Paul quotes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 11:1 says, “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.” And then Isaiah 11:10 reads, “Then on that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal flag for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious.” Who is this “root of Jesse”? Of course, it is Jesus, the Messiah. He rules over all and in Him there is hope.

APPLICATION

Jesse was the father of David. The people recognized Jesus as coming from the line of Judah which ran through Jesse and David. In Matthew 15:22, a Canaanite woman gave Jesus the title Son of David. “And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely demon-possessed.’”

In Luke 18:39, blind Bartimaeus uses the same title. “And he called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” In fact, Jesus is called the “Son of David” seventeen times in the New Testament. Why is this significant? We have to go back to 
2 Samuel 7:12. This is the story of when Nathan, the prophet, delivers God’s message concerning building the temple to David. David was not allowed to build it, but God told him, “When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom.” Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy through Jesse and David. He was indeed the “Root of Jesse.”

What is your legacy? David was told his legacy was not in his son, Solomon, or any of his other sons. His legacy would be the Messiah. I know my children and my grandchildren are a part of my legacy. I also know, if the Lord tarries His return, my future descendants will be my legacy. My prayer is that the Christian foundation I have attempted to lay will stand the test of time. There is no greater legacy than to see you children, grandchildren and great grandchildren follow Jesus. Do your part by laying the foundation.

I am eternally grateful for the Root of Jesse who came to give me hope.

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