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Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD.'”
Zechariah 6:12*

As unusual as it sounds, Branch was a well-recognized term for the Messiah, used four times by Old Testament prophets. First century Jews understood the meaning, but last century folks like us usually wrestle with the sense of it.

In an agricultural society, the orchard is as important as the garden or herds of livestock.  Fruit, oil, nuts, and berries come from trees, so caring for them is a basic life-skill.  Planting, pruning, grafting, and harvesting all involve knowing something about branches.

Isaiah 11:1 tells us: “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Obviously a branch is a living thing that grows out of a tree’s trunk.  Branch-like shoots also come out of the roots to make new trees, but what is this idea that a branch comes out of a rod?

I’ve learned a lot about the simple things of life having lived in the Amazon rainforest for many years.  In a land where rainfall can exceed 200 inches of rain per year, literally everything rots.  Leather shoes grow mold within a week and fence posts decompose at the base in less than six months. This is a problem, because the jungle people need to keep their small herds of 6-12 cows fenced in to keep them safe. They will take their machete and cut several pointy-ended sticks which they will thrust into the damp ground.  Within weeks those sticks have leaves and roots and within a few months the long, slender, new trees are strong enough to support barbed wire.

Jesus was the Branch that was cut down and cast away, but He sprung to life again and produces fruit for all who believe.

*See also Isaiah 4:2; 11:1, Zechariah 3:8

April 9

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven…
Hebrews 12:25

This verse comes across as a stern warning: “Listen to what God says.” In one way, this is the theme of Hebrews. The book opens with, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). It goes on to say, “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:2-3).

The whole idea is that God held people accountable to listen to and obey Him in the Old Testament, whether His message came through prophets or angels. Now, the stakes are much higher. God has given a new covenant, a much better deal, to the human race. Eternal life and death are at stake, so God Incarnate came Himself to present the offer. Not to listen to Him would be a terrible mistake.

Yet millions of people rejected the message and refused Him Who Spoke on Earth. The writer to the Hebrews was concerned about those who heard and ignored the Living Word of God while He taught on earth. Their fate was already sealed, and it was too late for most of them. How much worse the judgment on those who refused the conviction of the Holy Spirit at a time when He was turning the world upside-down!

God spoke and there was the Word. To reject Him is to reject eternal life. To believe on Him is to listen to and obey Him Who Spoke on Earth.

April 10

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16

God was from the very beginning; before anything else, before time and space, and before matter and energy, there was God. That is the starting point, not earth, not the universe. They came from God, not God from them, so you start with God. He is the giver. He is the origin. He is Creator.

An atom can be weighed and a scientist knows how many nanos are in a second. The starting point is what is known. From there, the unknown can be extrapolated. 

An Indian arrowhead is nothing more than an odd shaped piece of flint. Each one of the hundred or so chips out of the rock could be formed by a random act of erosion, yet no educated person would conclude that is what happened. The size, shape, symmetry, balance, and material allude to utility and function. The logical conclusion is that it was made by someone smarter than the rock itself.

To say that the universe started with a Big Bang and gravity and forces of nature formed it into what we can observe now is ludicrous. Whatever was the supposed core of the Big Bang was never observed, measured, or reproduced in the laboratory. It’s unknown.   What actually can be proved is nothing comes from nothing.  If matter didn’t exist before the Big Bang, then gravity, inertia, and energy didn’t exist either. Scientists are forced to say that someone or something was out there before the universe existed, but whatever it was, they don’t want to acknowledge Jesus as God.

Without trying to prove that God exists, the Bible states a simple fact: “God created the heavens and the earth.” We can also see in scripture that Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1; Romans 9:5; 1 Timothy 1:17; 3:16, etc.). Therefore, if God is Creator and Christ is God, then Christ is also Creator. As Colossians 1:16 confirms, “All things were created through Him and for Him.”

April 11

But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.
Acts 3:14*

Some time after Peter healed the lame man in the temple, he preached a powerful sermon to those who gathered there to marvel.  All, or certainly most, of the crowd would have been present to see the crucifixion just a few months before and would have heard rumors of the resurrection. The former fisherman turned evangelist pointed out that Jesus was really the Holy One and the Just who they traded off for a murderer. More than a few in that group would have been part of the mob that cried out: “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19:15).

The title “Holy One” labeled the One whose blood was on their hands as the Messiah and the Just meant He was innocent; He was not guilty of any crime. The Holy Spirit must have used those titles to convict them of sin and judgment which brought many to faith in Christ and brought about a great conversion.

One tremendous truth in this title of Christ is that it is one that can also be given to believers.  Romans 1:17 declares “the just shall live by faith.” Those who were guilty of condemning the guiltless to death could be forgiven and then made just (i.e. justified) before God.  Only Christ, the Just one, could do this.

Romans 3:25-26 declares: “…in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be The Just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

*See also Acts 7:52; 22:14; Romans 3:26

April 12

Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
Mark 6:3

Attitudes and opinions change over time and according to culture. Here and now, carpenters are regarded as skilled professionals that earn a better than average wage for a service that is in high demand. Apparently, that wasn’t the case when Jesus lived in Nazareth; “they were offended at Him.”

I think I understand why. Many years ago, I lived in a very poor country and learned much about Third World life-styles. We lived in a town where electricity was available for less than four hours a day, so carpenters plied their trade with hand tools. There were no furniture stores where we lived, so when someone needed a table, chair, or set of drawers they hired a carpenter. These tradesmen usually lived in the poorer section of town and often made furniture much nicer than they could afford for themselves.

Carpenters also seemed to have the worst reputation among the blue-collar workers. They all seemed to lie; their work was never ready on time, and they usually charged more than the price they first quoted; besides, most were alcoholics. Knowing that Jesus also worked with wood, often led to jokes about Christ being the world’s only honest carpenter.

Christ must have been different. He would have been a skilled craftsman, wasn’t a drunk, and would have kept His word. His work must have been in high demand and that’s exactly where the problem was. I can imagine the reaction of the wealthier class – “The nerve of Jesus closing up shop to preach. I have a lot of things for Him to do. Who does this carpenter think He is anyway?”

Jesus’ neighbors never came to the realization that He was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. To them He was just the Carpenter.

April 13

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham,
Matthew 1:1*

Jesus Christ. To those who love Him it says all. It’s His name; it’s His title; it’s precious. This title combination is used more than any other in the New Testament, beginning with the first verse and then found in every book except 3 John. Peter preached it at the birth of the church on Pentecost. Paul used it more than any other apostle and finally, the last verse in the Bible ends, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Jesus Christ. To little children and the un-churched it’s His family name. They think He was called “Jesus Christ,” His mother “Mary Christ,” and His step-father “Joseph Christ.” They don’t know how special or how important He is. They’re clueless and the worst part is that they don’t even know that they don’t know Him.

 Jesus Christ. To the God-haters and Christ-rejecters it’s a curse word. They use it to blaspheme the LORD. They see it as no big deal, because in their eyes, He is no big deal. No other name on earth is used as profanity. No one invokes the name of Buddha if he hits his thumb with a hammer. The names of Mohammed and Krishna are not used in vain. It is proof again that the name is so great and so special that the enemies of God feel they need to put it down.

Jesus Christ. Peter concludes His second epistle with these words: “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17,18)

*(also in Acts 2:38; 3:6, 20; 4:10; total use: 186 times in 178 verses)

April 14

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

Statistics can be a very useful tool in analyzing title combinations such as Christ Jesus. It is interesting to discover that of the 69 times the phrase occurs in the New Testament, Paul uses it 66 times. It is used by the writer to the Hebrews once and by Peter twice. The question that begs to be asked is, Why?  Why is this almost exclusively a Pauline idiom?

Whereas the other apostles followed the Lord during his earthly ministry and often called Him Jesus to His face, Paul, then known as Saul of Tarsus, was not counted among Christ’s disciples. Paul rejected the Nazarene as the Messiah and persecuted the church. While the others found it more natural to form the phrase “Jesus Christ” (because it emphasized their close relationship) Paul didn’t have this experience.

Grace is another word that Paul dominates. He was overwhelmed and humbled by the grace that saved such a sinner and murderer of God’s people. It was this same humility that caused him to acknowledge the Christ title before saying the name Jesus. Saul of Tarsus who rejected the Messiah was transformed by the Savior and after he started using his Greek name, Paul would openly acknowledge Him as God’s anointed – The Christ. He then was a follower of Christ Jesus. 

April 15

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16

Without a doubt “Christ” is the quintessential title given to the Lord.  It is used 555 times in 552 verses of the New Testament and is only surpassed in use by His personal name, Jesus (stated 983 times).  It would be safe to say that one would not have a clue who Jesus is unless he or she had some concept that He is the Christ.

Literally Christ means “anointed” and comes from the Greek word “Christos.” The Hebrew word “mashiach” (messiah) also means anointed and was translated as “Christos” in the Septuagint.  At the most basic level the term Christ means the Jewish Messiah, the anointed of God. In the first century, both the Greek speaking Gentile world and Hebrews understood this word.  “Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:17). The Christ was God’s chosen one who was sent into this world.

The first time Jesus went to the synagogue after He began His public ministry, He was given the book of Isaiah and read from chapter 61.  He announced “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).  When Christ was finished reading, He closed the book, sat down, and announced, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

The significance of this declaration is almost always missed in our culture and generation, but they totally got it at the time He said it. He was clearly saying that He was the LORD’s anointed; He was the Messiah; He was the Christ.

April 16

Although you won’t find “Holy Fish” on most lists of the names of Christ, this title has a very significant place in church history.  As the second century dawned, the emperor Trajan made the Christian faith outlawed in the Roman Empire, so the faithful were careful not to call attention to themselves.  If two people were overheard talking about Jesus Christ, they could be arrested.  If an eavesdropper picked up a conversation about a fish, however, the two people would be ignored.

IΧΘYΣ (Ichthys) is the Greek word for “fish” but it is also an acronym for Iesous Christos, Theou Yios, Soter (English translation – Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior).

Iota is the first letter of Iesous (Ιησους), Greek for “Jesus.”
Chi is the first letter of Christos (Χριστóς), Greek for “Christ.”
Theta is the first letter of Theou (Θεοῦ), Greek for “God’s.”
Upsilon is the first letter of Huios (Υἱός), Greek for “Son.”
Sigma is the first letter of Soter (Σωτήρ), Greek for “Savior.”

At a time when to be identified as a Christian meant death, the believer not only needed to know what he believed, but why he believed it.  This secret code word not only communicated the object of one’s faith, but also his doctrine.

• Jesus was the personal name of the one they loved and worshiped. 
• Christ was God’s chosen one who was exalted over everyone.  
• God’s Son made Him equal with God. Crucifying God’s Son is a very serious matter. That is how the centurion that guarded Jesus at the crucifixion saw it. 
• Savior is the only one who can save the sinner from the bondage of sin.

Centuries have come and gone since Christ’s early followers talked in soft whispers of the “Holy Fish,” yet pictures of fish can still be seen carved in stone in the walls of ancient churches and in the Roman catacombs.  Bumper stickers of a stylized fish <><  are also sometimes seen in circulation today and with them the memory of “Ichthys,” the Holy Fish.

April 17

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1

The modern use of the word “advocate” communicates the idea of a supporter or enthusiast, such as we use when we say, “he’s a green energy advocate.”  That’s a long stretch from what the Greek word meant. The original word here is “paraklesis” which means “a calling to one’s side” (para “beside”; kaleo “to call”).  A “paraclete” would be someone who you could call on in difficult times.

Although this word is translated as advocate in English it is translated as “abogado” (i.e. lawyer) in Spanish. This translation is a better description of the original word, since a paraclete was allowed to stand with the accused at trial and defend him before the court.

When people stand before God on the day of judgment they are not accused of lying so many times or stealing so much money. They are brought as enemies of God and are accused of rebellion and complicity in the murder of the Son of God.  The whole human race is guilty of crucifying an innocent man – God Himself.  Our human nature does evil instead of good and believes a lie instead of the truth.

The creation rejected, tortured, and put to death its Creator. Our sins only prove that we would have done the same thing given the opportunity. We are guilty because it is in our nature and the evidence is stacked against us.

The only thing that you can say to a criminal who is clearly culpable is “I hope you have a good lawyer.”  The good news of the gospel is that believers do have a good one; He is “Jesus Christ the righteous.”  He’s not only the Advocate, He is the judge and the victim.  So, if the Lord Jesus died in order to save someone, s/he is going to walk.

April 18