“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1).

There’s a magnificent stained-glass window in the west wall of the Chartres Cathedral (Bay 49) in France, known as the “Tree of Jesse”.  As you may know, Jesse was the father of the most famous king in ancient Israel’s history, David (Matt 1:6). From David came Solomon, who became the father of Rehoboam, who, in turn became the father of Abijah. (Each of whom is depicted above Jesse in the window.) On and on from these men and their wives, successive generations came into being, each providing a link between those who came before and those who would after. Eventually, about 1000 years later, Joseph was born, the man who became the (legal) father of Jesus (Matt. 1:16; Rom. 1:3).

Isaiah’s prophecy from the eighth century B.C., written some 200 years after Jesse’s death, surely is the inspiration for this magnificent window. In it, he declares that the future Messiah “shall grow out of the roots” of Jesse. He will be Spirit-filled, will judge the world, and will bring justice for the poor and needy. (Isaiah 11:1-6) In other words, God rooted his plan of salvation, fulfilled in his son, Jesus, in one of the most important lineages in Israel’s history, the royal line of King David.

Why Jesse’s story matters

But who was Jesse? Based on what little the Bible says about him, he was a man of faith and the father of eight sons and two daughters, whom he raised to honor and obey the LORD God. (No mention is made of Jesse’s wife, but we can assume that she would have certainly played an important role in raising the children as well.) As far as we know, he wasn’t a particularly talented or accomplished man. Rather, his legacy became great because of how God chose to use him and his descendants. 

And Jesse had no idea about any of this. He never could have guessed when his children were first born that several of his descendants would become famous kings of Israel. And he certainly could not have imagined that his lineage would even include Jesus Christ one day.

But he didn’t need to know about God’s plan in advance for his life to make a difference. And neither do we.

Hitting home

When this realization struck me recently, I was suddenly flooded with relief. Despite all my shortcomings and failures, my inability to see what will happen after I’m gone, and my limited power to control the present, let alone the future, I realized that God may still use me in ways I will never know but will still make a difference in the world. My life matters.

Now, it’s not as if I didn’t know that or couldn’t see how God has been and is using me now in my family and in the lives of others. It’s just that I sometimes feel discouraged by my limitations, weaknesses, and failures. The Tree of Jesse reminds me to look beyond what I might be able to see and do.

Like Jesse, our job is not to know or try to control the future, but to live by faith as best we know how and to serve the LORD faithfully as best we can, given our circumstances, abilities, resources, and opportunities. And then leave the outcome and fruitfulness to God, who will act according to his own will and plan, in his own way and timing.

So, stay the course. Keep seeking to know, love, and serve God with your whole heart, mind, and strength. You may never know how God intends to work through you for good, but rest assured, in God’s hands, your life truly matters.

With the love of Jesus,

Dr. Tim

If you’re looking for more teaching from the Bible or for some spiritual inspiration or encouragement, please visit our ministry website, Faith, Hope, and Love Global Ministries, and my YouTube channel (TimGeoffrion) for many more resources (articles, videos, etc.).