The Jesse Tree - December 3

As shared on Day 1, the word "genesis" means "beginnings" The book of Genesis is a story of how things began. And things began with such promise - a beautiful weedless, thorn-less garden. It was all "very good." But then disobedience was followed by a curse. Human beings, created in love, created in the image of God - in the image of Jesus - are destined for death.

Like a dead stump.  Like trees with bare branches at the beginning of winter.

But God has better plans than death and barren living. Father, Son and Holy Spirit call a holy conference and a plan is set in motion. If death could come through one disobedient man, then life could be restored through one pure Man.

Don't gloss over these rich words . . .

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.  18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. - Romans 5:12-18

Death does not have the final say. Death does not have the victory!

God's love created out of the darkness, so now God's love redeems out of death.

Did you find a bare branch to start your Jesse Tree? If so, give it a good long look. Does it represent parts of your life? barren? leafless? fruitless?

How does God want to bring you back to life this season? Where does He need to prune? to prop? to prepare? to provide?

This is the beginning of our story.

Abide. Bear much fruit.