The Assyrians all but destroyed Judah, but it was the Babylonians who brought the kingdom to an end in 586 BC. Seventy years later, a remnant was allowed to go back to their homeland. The prophet Haggai encouraged these Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the temple. The prophet Zechariah encouraged them to rebuild their hearts. He knew that spiritual renewal was essential for the people to be ready to worship God once the temple was rebuilt. Looking toward the future, the prophet Jeremiah reminded Israel that God would one day send a righteous Branch from the line of David (Jeremiah 33:15).

Zechariah 3:8
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.

The Branch was another name for the coming Messiah. Isaiah said that a “shoot” would come up from the “stump of Jesse (David’s father), a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1). The prophet added, “the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious” (Isaiah 4:2). Jeremiah described the Messiah as “a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jeremiah 23:5). Long before Jesus came, his people looked forward to the coming of the Branch who would bring salvation and security (Jeremiah 23:6). When the Branch came, however, many missed him.

Jesus came to earth when the Jewish people were living under the rule of Rome. They longed for a military and political leader to deliver them. They were looking for one who would restore their country to the prestige and power it had known in the days of King David and his son, Solomon. However, the Branch did not come to rebuild Jerusalem. He came to rebuild the hearts of the people. He came to establish a spiritual kingdom that would never end. The Branch provided eternal salvation and security to his people — those who trust in him alone as the only way to have a relationship with the living God.

Father,
So often, we miss what you are doing spiritually because our hearts and minds desire the physical. Help us to understand true and lasting salvation. Remind us again that Jesus came for spiritual renewal and transformation. In his name. Amen.