The entire first reading (Isa 11:1-10) gives us a prophetic vision of the coming Messiah, a figure who will bring justice, peace, and harmony to all creation. Today’s first reading also offers two quite famous verses we have all encountered:
“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (Isaiah 11:1)
“The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat.” (Isaiah 11:6)
This first verse is the inspiration for the Christmas tradition of the Jesse Tree, a depiction in art of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, shown in a branching tree which rises from Jesse of Bethlehem, the father of King David. You can learn more about the Jesse Tree tradition here. The “fruit” of this tree is Jesus, the Christ.
As we begin our Advent journey, the second verse reminds us that our hope lies in the Savior who comes to restore the world to be what the Lord intended in the Creation. In these days of war and rumors of war, the reading is a powerful reminder that one of the constituent elements of that original creation is peace.
The other verse is famously vivid in its depiction of peace: “The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat… There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6, 9)
This vision points to the transformative power of Christ’s kingdom. And it is not just reconciliation within and among humanity but all reconciles and restores the beauty and intent of the original creation. The challenge is thus to become peacemakers, bridging divides in our relationships and working for harmony in our communities. Are we living as agents of Christ’s peace?
The Reformer John Calvin offers an interesting question: why does the shoot spout from the stump of Jesse? Why not David? Calvin and others suggest that the use of Jesse is an attempt to downplay the house of David. Salvation would not come from the pomp and glory – or power – of the royal house. Rather, it would come from the promise of one who could create a royal house from a peasant family.
In our age “royalty” comes in many forms: politics, business, Hollywood and more. They have their own brand of pomp, glory and power. But do they bring peace? Perhaps Calvin reminds us that the creation of that longed for peace will come from we peasants who by our faith are members of the Royal House of Christ – the only royalty that matters, that will endure, and can possibly bring lasting peace.
Peasants of the world unite in the Peace of Christ.
Image credit: Prophet Isaiah, Mosaic, Right of Lunette, South Wall of Presbytery, Basilica of San Vitale | PD-US | Pexels