Sunday Writing by Jan Andersen.... 12/4/16

Good Morning,

Jan Andersen authored the writing for today, and she called her writing, "FAMILY TREE."  She writes about the family tree of Jesus and how he is described as the branch or root of Jesse.  She goes on to say how we are part of that family tree.  She writes, "God has adopted us all as his sons and daughters.  He has grafted us into the tree of Jesse and made us a part of the divine family tree!"

Praying you have a peaceful Sunday.

God's blessings,

Corinne & Jan

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Today's Devotional

"FAMILY TREE"

by

Jan Andersen

We all have them - ancestors.  A family tree of our ancestry lists our relatives and how they are connected to us.  Numerous websites now help people search for their ancestors and who they are related to by birth or by marriage, etc.  People get excited when they find out they are related to some famous person, royalty, or historical figure.  Sometimes there is a hope that they will find a rich relative from whom they might inherit a fortune!

Jesus has a family tree.  His is referred to as the tree of Jesse, a depiction in art of Christ's ancestors beginning with Jesse, the father of King David.  It is the original family tree used to depict a genealogy.  Jesus is called a branch from the stump of Jesse, and also the Root of Jesse in the Bible, both meaning a descendant of Jesse.  It came to me that "root" might also refer to Jesus being present from the beginning of creation, too.  But that is just my simple opinion.  In Isaiah 11:1 he says, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."  Isaiah goes on to say that the branch [Jesus] will come again to judge the people on earth, and there will be peace among animals, both prey and predators, and man.  Verse 10 says, "In that day the Root of Jesse [Jesus] will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious."  Paul refers to these verses when he writes in Romans 15:12  "Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.' " 

The Jewish people were God's chosen people first, and they were to bring the good news of God to the Gentiles.  This is the good news about our family - that God has adopted us all as his sons and daughters.  He has grafted us into the tree of Jesse and made us a part of the divine family tree!  Because of that, all who believe and remain faithful will inherit the most precious fortune of all - eternal life in heaven with Him.  Even if we have a broken dysfunctional family here on earth, we can take comfort in being part of God's family.  Therefore, as Paul goes on to say in Romans 15:13,  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Dear Father in heaven, as we continue to prepare for Christmas in this Advent season, may we be filled with all joy and peace as we trust in your Son, Jesus, and overflow with hope by the power of your Spirit.  May our joy, peace and hope in the Christ child bring light in this dark world so that your family tree may continue to grow.  In Jesus' name,  Amen.

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When the Christmas Camellias
bloom outside my front door

in November I know that 

HE IS ON HIS WAY!

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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