133 The Messiah of Israel

Jesus was prophecied to come physically from the line of David's father Jesse. He would bear fruit as the Branch out of the stump (stock) of Jesse's family. By the time of Jesus' arrival that family lineage was like a tree cut down, and its stump only left in the ground, which was the case when Jesus was born of that family tree. Jesse's family was initially unknown and obscure. Later it became very well known in David's time, and in some following king's reigns. However, from the Babylonian captivity, till the time of Christ, it was very low in national esteem. Jesus' step-father being a carpenter, and His physical birth mother Mary a poor virgin, were and working as carpenters living in poor Nazareth. It just seemed so very unlikely, under these circumstances, that the King Messiah would come from this family and region. So, He was prophecied to be exceedingly great as was foretold He should. He would have power, authority, and wisdom do such mighty works as he did. And especially be the author of eternal salvation bringing forth such fruits, and be the cause of such blessings of grace, as He was. It was just unlikely that the absolute king of the universe would enter a body, family and location that was considered poor and of no distinction or high standing in an earthly sense. From Luke 4:16–21 we see as Jesus read from Isaiah the first thing, He said from Isaiah 61:1 was The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. The anointing of the Messiah with the Holy Spirit for His mission and this event took place in the life of Jesus at His baptism. It was at this point that He began His public ministry and openly claimed to be Messiah.