AdventSample

Day 7: Righteous Branch

Reflection:

In Jeremiah 33, God promises justice through “a righteous Branch of David.” For Christians, Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise. His first coming was quiet; His second will fulfill every promise.

Though it may seem mysterious and unknowable, whatever we anticipate in God’s future will sprout only from a “righteous branch.” And while Jesus is the sprout from David’s line, He then tells His disciples (including you and me) that He is the vine, and we are the branches (John 15:5). As we abide in our Lord we bear witness to His coming. We show ourselves as actively waiting, hoping in Him to come again in righteousness. Because Jesus is the true vine, nothing we do will contribute to our salvation, which is not based on works. But this doesn’t mean our obedience doesn’t matter! Rather, when we stand for justice and peace, we embody the righteousness of Jesus that will last throughout eternity. God doesn’t need our works, but our neighbors do. We work for the glory of God’s Kingdom because it will be the only thing left standing in the end.

Meditation:

In your community, what situations are lacking justice, where you could work with Jesus to bring it?