The One Coming
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
— Isaiah 11:1-2
Ray Stedman’s devotional, Immeasurably More, highlights how Isaiah’s prophecy gives us a picture of Christ’s coming—not in grandeur, but in humble obscurity. The image of a shoot emerging from the stump of Jesse speaks of life springing forth where all seemed lost. The once-thriving tree of David’s royal line had been reduced to insignificance, yet from that humbled place, the Messiah would rise.
Jesus did not come with earthly might or royal splendor but in quiet humility, as a carpenter’s son in an overlooked town. His ministry was not fueled by human power but by the fullness of the Spirit of God. Isaiah’s prophecy unfolds the nature of that Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. Every encounter in Jesus’ ministry revealed this divine fullness. He saw into the hearts of men without needing their words, spoke with an authority that silenced scholars, and walked with an unshakable peace because He lived in perfect unity with the Father.
Much like a single candle pushing back the darkness, Christ entered a world that had grown spiritually barren. His light was not dimmed by the state of humanity; rather, He revealed the wisdom, power, and character of God in a way that drew many to Himself.
Reflection and Application
How does Jesus’ humility challenge our own expectations of power and significance?
The Spirit of the Lord filled Christ completely—how does His presence in us today reflect that same wisdom, counsel, and might?
In what ways can we rest in the knowledge that Christ is the source of life, even when circumstances seem barren?
Prayer of Confidence
Father, we rejoice in the fullness of Christ, the true Branch who brings life where there was none. You have already given us all we need in Him. Your wisdom directs our steps, Your counsel upholds us, and Your presence sustains us. We stand in awe of the authority of Jesus, who speaks truth that no earthly wisdom can match, and we rest in His life within us. May His peace, His discernment, and His unwavering confidence in You be evident in us today. Amen.
Devotional insights from Ray Stedman’s Immeasurably More
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