The concept of the Jesse Tree originates from Isaiah 11:1, which prophesies, "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of His roots." The branch, serving as a biblical emblem of renewal amid adversity, becomes a means to discuss the anticipated Messiah. It symbolizes Jesus the Christ, fully God and fully man, full of grace and truth.
These devotions aim to unravel the narrative of God in the Old Testament, linking the Advent Season to God's steadfastness.
“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
Genesis 3:1-6
Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). God had given them everything, yet they listened to the voice of the accuser and believed that God was holding back from them. In eating of the fruit they committed the original sin and the gates of Heaven were closed to all mankind.
Yet, man was not abandoned by God. The Father promised a coming Savior and Redeemer.
“So the Lord God said to the serpent…
I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”Genesis 3:14-15
We are told of the "New Adam" who will have victory over sin. He is to be the devil's conqueror. He will crush the head of the wicked serpent. By His blood, He binds the strong man to plunder Hell and populate Heaven (Luke 11:21-22.)
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The slain and risen Lamb has conquered you! Death has been completely destroyed by the Death of Christ!
This victory of Jesus has given us greater blessings than those which sin had taken from us.
Jesus, by Your death we have life. Death has been swallowed up in Your victory. May we die to ourselves and live for You. Thank You, Jesus, O Glorious Redeemer.
