O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)
Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.
From Death
The opening line of this stanza identifies Emmanuel through His connection to the patriarch of Israel named Jesse. The next line begins to explain that role by declaring He is to be our rescuer. But this begs the question, “Rescue them from what?”
When you look at the first level of rescue, particularly as it pertains to the people of Israel, you see the longing for Emmanuel to rescue them from exile. As you probe deeper, you realize that the physical exile, as real as it was, pointed to a deeper, spiritual one, with eternal implications. Emmanuel’s deliverance includes more than a return to the Promised land. That one foreshadows a more profound deliverance from hell, which the verse below refers to as Sheol.
From depths of hell Thy people save,
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13 ESV
Here is the first expression of His great love for us, deliverance from the depths of hell and eternal separation from God. Sheol is the Hebrew word for the abode of the dead, which will not be the home of any who look to the Branch of Jesse’s stem for rescue. Instead, they have been saved and granted eternal life.
But is that the only deliverance accomplished, eternal separation from God in the depths of hell? No. Certainly His coming to us not only fulfilled prophecy, but in so doing saved us from the wages we had earned, death and hell. This is the greatest expression of His deliverance, but there is more.
Ultimately, we do not get what we deserve. This is true at every level:
- spiritually
- physically
- relationally
- mentally
Are there simpler, smaller ways where you need to see that rescue? Things you are facing in this season from which you are desperate to be delivered? Do not hesitate to ask, but first start with some praise.
RESONATE!
Give praise to God for not giving you what you deserved. Your sin and mine separated us from God eternally before we could even do anything about it. And He made a way out of it, by descending into hell and defeating it. There are many expressions of that deliverance. Are there particular ways you are longing for it today? Ask for it.
To Life
Not getting what you deserved, and getting what you did not deserve are two very different things. Not only did we not get hell, and eternal separation from God, but we do get victory over death and an eternity with God. Now that is some good news.
This image captures it well. Even though we die and are buried in the ground there is hope beyond the grave. The butterfly reminds us of that.
It goes into the cocoon as a lowly caterpillar and emerges a beautiful butterfly. We too will be transformed into something very different demonstrating our victory over the grave. All of this the work of the Branch of Jesse’s stem, Emmanuel.
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV
This is a quote from Hosea and a small part of a larger passage about the reality of the resurrection and its result in us. Not only are we saved from hell, but we have victory over the grave. Jesus’ coming made a way for all of this to be true.
RESONATE!
Give praise to God for getting what you did not deserve. You get victory over the grave. Hallelujah! Ask Him to come to you again this season and demonstrate that victory in smaller ways to help you see Him with you even while you wait for His to come again.
Jesus, thank You for delivering me from death and giving me victory over the grave. Help me walk in it this Advent season, into Christmas and the New Year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Podcast 24.3 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 ESV
Indeed that Branch came, the One promised from ages past. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise, and He will return again. And who is the fruit? We are! Connected to the stump of Jesse, we should bear good fruit. Are you? Ask the Spirit to reveal if you are.
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 ESV
Like Israel, our sins had kept us from walking in the presence of God. Even still, He made a way for us to become His own, and rescue us from our exile. He grafted us into the Branch and gave us life. Thank the Father for making a way for our banishment to end.
From depths of hell Thy people save,
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13 ESV
Here is the first expression of His great love for us, deliverance from the depths of hell and eternal separation from God. Sheol is the Hebrew word for the abode of the dead, which will not be our home because we have been saved and granted eternal life. Give Him praise!
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV
This is a quote from Hosea and a small part of a larger passage about the reality of the resurrection and its result in us. Not only are we saved from hell, but we have victory over the grave. Jesus’ coming made a way for all of this to be true. Ask Him to come to you again this season.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Saved FROM Death, Saved TO Life appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
From Depths of Hell Thy People Save – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hell-purgatory-heaven-stairs-path-735995/
And Give Them Victory O’er the Grave – https://pixabay.com/photos/tombstone-cemetery-grave-butterfly-660890/
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