CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THE BRANCH

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Unlearned and/or ignorant people think Christ is not in the Old Testament but they could not be farther from the Truth. Christ is present from Genesis 1 through Malachi 4. Some of His manifestations may be unfamiliar to you while many are well known. Did you know that Christ is called “THE BRANCH” multiple times in the Old Testament? The term speaks of Messiah’s fruitfulness and that He comes from the stock of Israel. In fact, the title “THE BRANCH” is used of Christ in 4 major ways with each way corresponding to part of Christ’s character as later emphasized in the New Testament Gospels.

 

I. “A BRANCH OF DAVID” [Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15]

 

1. The Kingly Line [Isaiah 11:1, Mt. 1:1, 6]

- And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

-The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. . . . And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

 

2. A Righteous King [Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15]

- Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

-In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matthew 5:33-35 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

 

II. “MY SERVANT THE BRANCH” [Zechariah 3:8]

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.

1. No Pedigree for Christ in Mark’s Gospel [Mark 1] a Servant needs no pedigree

2. The Obedient Servant of the Father [even though He was equal] Phil. 2:5-7]

- Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

-Mark 9:33-35 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

-Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

III. “THE MAN WHOSE NAME IS THE BRANCH” [Zechariah 6:12-13]

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Jesus calls Himself “the Son of Man” over 25 times in Luke’s Gospel

 

IV. “THE BRANCH OF JEHOVAH’ [ISAIAH 4:2, 7:14, John 1:1-14]

In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

- Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.