SERMON TITLE: The Righteous Branch
TEXT: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 11/28-29/20
You can watch the sermon here.
You can find the sermon notes here.
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And the one thing I always want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshipping with us in person at our North Main or Bowling Green campuses — or are worshipping with us online — the one thing I want you to know is that God loves you and that I love you too.
Can you believe that we’re beginning our Christmas series? This year has been something, hasn’t it? And I think that most of us are glad we’re nearing the end of 2020 — because — surely 2021 is going to be better, right? “Umm...don’t say that Josh.”
But Christmas — this year — as you’ve probably guessed — is going to look a little different. There are lots of traditions we’ve grown accustomed to that we’re having to figure out some unorthodox substitutions for — because — it’s 2020 y’all. For example — and just to give you all a heads up — at our Christmas Eve services — we’ll all be holding up glow sticks this year instead of candles. We tried to come up with a way to sanitize the candle holders between services, but it’s just not possible. And buying throw away candles is way too expensive. So we’re going with glow sticks this year — they’re cheap — they’re disposable — it’s 2020.
And — while we’re at it — here’s another change. The sermons in this Christmas series are going to be shorter than my normal sermons. And — I know — this may be the most difficult change for many of you to accept — shorter sermons! But I’ve asked the worship leaders to add a few more carols to our services this year — because these songs have a way of reminding us what the Christmas season and — really — what all of life — is about.
And we can complain about all of these temporary changes — especially the ones we don’t like — or we can have some fun and be joyful even in what will most likely be the strangest of Christmas seasons for all of us. And I’m hoping that you all will join me and choose to have some fun and to be joyful this Christmas season. Because Christmas is a time — pandemic or not — when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. And our Savior’s birth is a reason for us to be filled with joy.
And this year — as we celebrate the birth of Jesus — we’re going to look at some Old Testament promises about Jesus that we might not think about when we think of Christmas. But I hope we’ll all have our understanding of who Jesus is — and what his birth means — expanded as we look at these promises.
So let’s turn to our passage for today.
If you have your Bible please turn with me to the book of Jeremiah. We’ll be in the 33rd chapter looking at verses 14-16 together. We’re beginning our Christmas series in Jeremiah chapter 33. Beginning in verse 14.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 33:14-16 ESV)
Our world seems to be riddled with injustice. Take this globe, you can put your finger down anywhere on this globe and there will be stories of injustice and sorrow. Maybe your finger stops on North Korea where Christians have been persecuted severely for decades — even though its capital city was once considered the “Jerusalem of the east” by missionaries. Or maybe your finger stops on Rwanda — a county with a tragic history of genocide. Or — maybe your finger stops on one of the oceans — and you think of the ships that trafficked African slaves to our country. No matter where the globe stops, your finger will be touching a place marked by injustice and sorrow.
Yet — in spite of our history of injustice — injustices we’ve caused — it’s common for people to think that we’re the ones who decide what’s just and right and what is unjust and wrong. We make laws — some are written down while others are simply social expectations — that dictate how people should behave. And — as I’m sure you’ve experienced — these laws — both the written down kind and the social expectations kind — both types of laws can change.
Think of what’s socially acceptable now — in 2020 — that wasn’t socially acceptable 10, 20, or 30 years ago. And — ultimately — these kinds of changes have led many to believe that there’s no absolute definition of what is just or right behavior — because — it can all change depending on the situation, circumstances, or time period you live in.
Now — this way of thinking isn’t all bad. For example, we must have laws. Society would be far worse off if we didn’t have laws that set a standard of expectation. Any time I come across a traffic light that’s out — I realize how thankful I should be for red, yellow, and green lights — because everyone seems to lose their mind when the lights are out. All that to say, many of our laws are good.
But the danger is how laws are all susceptible to change. When the only standard for right or wrong — for just or unjust — is a majority vote — well — eventually the majority will vote for something that’s wrong and unjust. And this shouldn’t surprise God’s people if we believe that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
But the Christian faith teaches us that there is a standard of just and rightness — what’s called righteousness — there is a standard that doesn’t change and is always true and applicable no matter the situation, circumstances, or time period someone lives in. And this is the standard of justice and righteousness set by God.
And — I know — not everyone listening to me may agree. You may be someone who recognizes the need for there to be justice and righteousness, but you think that we — humans — can rightly determine what that standard of justice and righteousness should be. Or you question or reject the idea that the God of the Bible should be the determiner of what that standard is.
So two quick things — if this is you. First, if you believe that we — humans — are the ones to determine the standard for justice and righteousness — well then — my question to you is “Why can’t we figure it all out?” Here’s another question I have. “Why did past generations make such horrific acts of injustice and what makes you think that we won’t do the same?” Well here’s one reason why I think we can’t figure justice out.
Ultimately, we’re all making up our own individual standards. And our standards are constantly clashing with each other. Sure, we have some things we agree on, but there’s a lot we don’t agree on. And do we really want to let the stand of justice be based on who’s the loudest or is the biggest bully and gets their way? Do we think we’ll solve the injustices of racism or abortion or violence or people who go without food or the persecution of Christians around the world — do we think we’ll solve these injustices by being the loudest or by having the most power? Surely not. Yesterday’s heroes — the ones who were the loudest and had the power — are today’s villains. And today’s heroes — those who are loudest and have the power today — well they’ll be tomorrow’s villains — especially if the standard of justice and righteousness is always changing.
So that’s one thing for you to consider. Second — be careful to not reject God when you’re really rejecting people who’ve acted unjustly or unrighteously and did so thinking they were acting on God’s behalf. It’s way too easy to reject God because of the dumb — and even ungodly things — people have done. But if we think it’s unfair of others to judge us — based on the behavior of someone else — why would we think it’s fair to judge God based on — not his behavior — but based on the behaviors of others?
But back to justice and righteousness and how all of this connects to the Christmas story. This divine standard of justice and righteousness is embodied in Jesus in his first coming — which we celebrate each Christmas season. In fact, as we look at these Old Testament promises of the first coming of Jesus — these promises should stir in us an anticipation for his second coming. Just like the people in the Bible were anticipating the first coming of the Messiah — we’re to anticipate his second coming — his return to earth — when Jesus will make all things right and render holy judgment on all injustices. So — at Christmas — we remember Jesus’ first coming. When he came to live, die, and defeat Satan, sin, death, and Hell so the unrighteous — through faith in him — would be made righteous. And — at Christmas — we anticipate Jesus’ second coming. When he will come again, making all things right.
But let’s return to our text and see how all of this connects to Jesus and the Christmas story. Back to verse 14.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 33:14-16 ESV)
So the promise given to Israel and Judah — a promise from God to his people — was that a descendant — described here as a Branch — will come from the line of David. And if you know your biblical history, you know that God had promised King David that he would be the ancestor of kings. And — not just kings — but one day — of the King.
And this isn’t the first time Jeremiah has mentioned this Branch of David. But — in our verses — Jeremiah does mention something new about this descendant of David. And that’s how this Branch will execute justice and righteousness when he comes and this will all take place in the city of Jerusalem. And if you know the story of Jesus — you know that it’s in the city of Jerusalem where he was murdered on a cross. Jerusalem is the city where the King of the Jews — the descendant of David — was nailed to a tree, lifted up for all to see, and gave his life as a sacrifice. It is in the city of Jerusalem where, “God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT)
Now — you may be thinking — “But Josh that’s Easter; not Christmas!” Well let’s go back and look at how this Christmas promise — from Jeremiah — is fulfilled. It’s one of the more thrilling passages in all of the Bible. One that keeps you on the edge of your seat when you read it. What am I talking about? The beginning of Matthew’s gospel — are you ready?
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:1-17 ESV)
I don’t know about you, but I love me some good genealogy verses. That’s a joke people. But these verses — which we’re so quick to skip when we read our Bible, right — “I’ll just skim the names” — are proof of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his promise to his people. We start off with some names you’ve probably heard of. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You’ve got Judah — then skip a few — and you might recognize Rahab, Obed, and Ruth. Then we get to David and Solomon and some of their descendants whose names you might recognize.
So the first and second sets of fourteen generations have some names we know. But what about that last generation? Do you know what we know about them? Practically nothing. And — by that — I mean — we know nothing. For many of these names — this is the only place in the Bible where they’re mentioned. Yet this list of names — representing generations of people — link us back to our promise in Jeremiah chapter 33. For Jesus — who was born of Mary — whose husband was Joseph — Jesus is the Righteous Branch of David — thus this genealogy shows us that God keeps his promises. For Jesus is the Righteous Descendant of David who would one day ride into Jerusalem — in his love for us — to meet the standard of justice and righteousness that God requires of his people. And he did so by giving his life for you and for me.
You see, Jesus first came into our world — born as a child — to take away our sins. But when he returns, he will come to judge sin. The first time he came to seek and save those who were lost. When he returnshe will come to judge those who have rejected him.
Now — I know — that this kind of language may be a turn off to you. But surely it’s right and just for a King to save his people who are in a difficult situation. Surely it’s just and right for a King to save those who are being oppressed and mistreated. Sure it’s just and right for a King to protect his people from wickedness and evil. And it’s not like he’s been unfair. God hasn’t left us to figure out how to be made right with him all on our own. He’s given us the way to salvation through his life, death, and resurrection. He’s not hiding the gospel — the Good News — that he — God — not only made righteousness possible — by sending Jesus — but he’s kept the news of what Christ has accomplished on the front page of history so people from all walks of life, from all nations and tribes and languages might believe and be made right with him. God’s preserved and proclaimed his gospel so that people might turn to Christ in faith and be given his righteousness. What an act of grace and kindness towards us.
So — if you’re a Christian — this means that the first time Jesus came — he came to save you. But when he returns — well his return comes with an even more incredible promise. For — when Jesus returns — you’ve been promised that you will “reign with him.” (See 2 Timothy 2:12)
When John the Baptizer saw Jesus coming, he said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) He came “like a sheep...led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, Jesus did not open his mouth before his accusers.” (Acts 8:32) Jesus came to earth — the first time — as the spotless Lamb of God. But he will return as the Lion of the tribe of Judah to rule the nations. (See Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15) And his rule will be just. His kingdom will be ruled by righteousness. And there will be sweet peace in the land for it will be led by a Holy and Righteous King — the Branch — the Descendant of David — the child who was born that first Christmas morning.
Now you may not be a Christian. And you may wonder, “Well, how do I get some of that? How can I look forward to the day of Jesus’ return — not in fear — but with confident hope?” The answer is by responding to his grace today. As an old Puritan said, “None are ruined by the justice of God but those who hate to be reformed by the grace of God.” (Matthew Henry) So know that you do not have to fear Christ’s return if you turn to him in faith now. No one is so bad, or so corrupted, or so unredeemable — no one has gone so far that they’re beyond the reach of God’s grace. And God is reaching out to you today — with his grace and in his love — saying, “Believe in my Son and you will be saved.”
And watch out for doubt to creep in — doubt of God’s love for you — doubt that causes such misery where you believe that Jesus can save others, but you’re unsure if he can save you. Where you believe that he loves others, but you’re unsure of his love for you. Know that Jesus came to save sinners — even you. Know that he loves you. And he’s offering you confidence and assurance where you can know that his return will not be a moment of him coming to judge you — but the day of his return will be the day you begin to reign with him forever. But only if you turn to him in faith now.
And as Jeremiah prophesied, the Branch of David will rename the city where his people live, “The LORD is our righteousness.” Or as one Bible translation says, “the LORD is our Righteous Savior.” (NIV) And how good it is to know who our Righteous Savior is. We know the name of the One in whom we are to believe in. For — a few verses after Matthew’s genealogy — an angel tells Joseph that Mary, “will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 ESV)
The Righteous Savior — the Brand of David — the LORD who was promised to come and save sinners — and who has promised to return and make all things right — all things made right in every place you can put your finger on this globe — the One who has promised to return and make all things right — is Jesus. The baby born was the Savior promised to come. The baby born — is the Righteous Branch of David who will return as King — bringing his justice and righteousness to all of his creation. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you for keeping your promises. Every good gift that we are given comes from you — salvation through your Son being the greatest of all your gifts.
Spirit of God, may you draw those who lack hope, peace, and comfort to Christ. Call out to them, awaken their spirits, so they see the beauty of Christ, his love for them, and respond to your grace by believing in him.
And, Jesus, thank you for life. Without you we would be hopeless — in this life and in the life to come. But because of you, we have sure and steady hope. Both in this life and in the life to come. Thank you for being our Righteousness, our Savior, and our King. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.
May you go with great hope as you anticipate Jesus’ promised return. Hope because Christ is your Savior, your Righteousness, your King. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
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