Advent 2- Root of Jesse
An Advent tradition in the church has been the singing the O Antiphons. This is a tradition that is thought to have originated around the 6th century (the 500’s). Usually, these 7 chants are sung along with the Magnificat[1] at Evening Prayer from December 17th to the 23rd.[2] These antiphons are short songs of expectation for Christ’s coming. Each of the seven songs gives a messianic title for Jesus. (Adding the “O” is an old grammatical way of shaping a vocative case, which is basically a name) -
O Wisdom,
O Adonai (Hebrew for “Lord”),
O Root of Jesse,
O Key of David,
O Morning Star,
O King of the Nations,
O Emmanuel (Hebrew for “God with us”).
The hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a paraphrase of these O Antiphons.
Our reading from Isaiah today highlights one of these titles. The words of the chant are:
Isaiah says that this green shoot will lack the weaknesses that the other kings in the dynasty had, which is why the tree fell. This green shoot, this descendent of David, will show compassion for the weak. And will show strength when confronting the oppressor. The image of vicious animals becoming tame is an image of the peace this Ruler will bring. These violent creatures will be made into pets.
The influence of this green shoot will extend beyond Israel, to the entire world. This is something Paul wants to highlight in our reading from Romans. The Messiah always had a mission to the Gentiles- to the nations of the world- according to the Scriptures, which includes this Isaiah reading. The promise given to Abraham, that Abraham’s family will be blessed to be a blessing to all the families of the world (Gen 12:2-3) seems to be in mind here. What God is doing through this shoot will have an influence on the people of the world. It will be so impressive that the people of the world will seek the blessing and guidance of the God who has been worshiped in the temple of Jerusalem. …
It is interesting to think about this from a historical point of view. The kingdom of Israel was a very small place, with a relatively small population. The suggestion of Isaiah that this small group of people could have a worldwide influence would have been laughable, especially when facing the empires of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and then Rome. The idea that their people and culture could even survive the crushing power of such empires would have been doubtful from a merely human point of view.
But look at what has happened in the history of the world. If a Martian came to earth and looked at human history, it would look a lot like much of the world has turned to the God that was worshipped in the temple in Jerusalem. No one would have guessed that Christianity (As part of the lineage of this God) would have had such an influence on the Roman Empire. The teachings of Jesus suddenly had influence across the Empire (where Christianity had recently been persecuted) even into the court and the mind of the Emperor. …
Our reading from Isaiah today highlights one of these titles. The words of the chant are:
“O Root of Jesse,Much of this is based on our Isaiah reading today. Jesse was King David’s father, so the reference to the tree of Jesse is a reference to King David’s dynasty- the rule of his family members over the kingdom. Isaiah is pointing to the end of that dynasty- The tree is chopped down. But, from this root will come a green shoot. The tree was thought to be dead, but life is prophesied to come from what was thought to be dead. This shoot signified the renewal of the dynasty of King David.
standing as a sign among the peoples; (Is 11:10)
before you kings will shut their mouths, (Is 52:15)
to you the nations will make their prayer: (Is 11:10)
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.”
Isaiah says that this green shoot will lack the weaknesses that the other kings in the dynasty had, which is why the tree fell. This green shoot, this descendent of David, will show compassion for the weak. And will show strength when confronting the oppressor. The image of vicious animals becoming tame is an image of the peace this Ruler will bring. These violent creatures will be made into pets.
The influence of this green shoot will extend beyond Israel, to the entire world. This is something Paul wants to highlight in our reading from Romans. The Messiah always had a mission to the Gentiles- to the nations of the world- according to the Scriptures, which includes this Isaiah reading. The promise given to Abraham, that Abraham’s family will be blessed to be a blessing to all the families of the world (Gen 12:2-3) seems to be in mind here. What God is doing through this shoot will have an influence on the people of the world. It will be so impressive that the people of the world will seek the blessing and guidance of the God who has been worshiped in the temple of Jerusalem. …
It is interesting to think about this from a historical point of view. The kingdom of Israel was a very small place, with a relatively small population. The suggestion of Isaiah that this small group of people could have a worldwide influence would have been laughable, especially when facing the empires of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and then Rome. The idea that their people and culture could even survive the crushing power of such empires would have been doubtful from a merely human point of view.
But look at what has happened in the history of the world. If a Martian came to earth and looked at human history, it would look a lot like much of the world has turned to the God that was worshipped in the temple in Jerusalem. No one would have guessed that Christianity (As part of the lineage of this God) would have had such an influence on the Roman Empire. The teachings of Jesus suddenly had influence across the Empire (where Christianity had recently been persecuted) even into the court and the mind of the Emperor. …
From a historical point of view, encountering Jews and Christians inspired Muhammed, who then influenced the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula into monotheism. Before Mecca was conquered, the direction of daily prayer was towards Jerusalem. The teachings of Muhammed are full of Biblical references. This looks a lot like nations coming to seek the God who was worshipped in the temple in Jerusalem.
It is a historical reality that much of the world has turned towards this God in some way. If we are willing to see good having come from this spread, then we might also be able to see Abraham's blessing spreading to bless the peoples of the world.
The influence of Christianity has been massive in the world. Even those who act as enemies of Christianity don’t realize that they have been so influenced by Christianity in their thinking that their moral assumptions they use to critique Christianity are largely influenced by Christianity. For example, Christianity is often accused of being compliant with colonialism. But it is a morality shaped largely by Christianity that says the strong shouldn’t trample the weak. That type of thinking would have been largely incoherent to most of the peoples throughout human history. This is something Frederick Nietzsche pointed out. There were many who thought they could retain a Christian morality while rejecting Christianity, he ridiculed that idea. He despised the idea of the weakness of the cross overcoming the strong. It is not at all obvious from nature that the stronger shouldn’t overtake the weaker. In fact, that has been the assumed norm for most of history. … So the valid accusation might be that it is hypocritical for Christians to participate in activities where the stronger trample on the weaker. And the accusation would be right, but it is largely an argument that works internal to Christianity.
This isn’t to say that Christians haven’t done bad things. But the moral landscape most of us live in, the moral framework we use, is largely influenced by Christianity, even when people want to reject Christianity they are unknowingly using Christian terms and categories.[3] I’m painting in large brush strokes here, so there will be many who want to challenge what I’m saying. But I think a good case can be made to assert these things.
For example, the idea of human rights, and protecting the weak and defenseless, is arguably of Christian origin. Seeing individuals as created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), and seeing the needy as Christ coming to us in disguise (Matt 25), gave rise to the desire to care for all individuals as valuable (I admit, this hasn’t always been done consistently or well). These would have been odd thoughts to ancient Romans and Greeks, for example. People were not inherently valuable to them. The Christian belief that all human beings had inherent dignity led to the creation of hospitals and medical treatments to help the suffering.
Slavery has been the norm around the world. The surprising thing isn’t that slavery has existed in human history. The surprising thing is that there might be an end to it. Places in the world where slavery ended has been due primarily to the influence of Christians and Christianity. For example, Thailand made slavery illegal in 1905, China in 1910, and Saudi Arabia in 1962. There are still slave markets in Sudan and this isn't to say anything about the illegal human trafficing issue facing the world.
The ending of human sacrifice, and of practices like Sati (where a wife would burn herself alive on her husband’s funeral pyre), is largely due to the influence of Christianity.
Many of the sexual morals we have are influenced by Christianity. The concept of consent (as not just the privilege of rich free women), is arguably, influenced by Christianity. Christianity has taught that sexuality is to be restrained. The passions of the flesh are dangerous if left untamed. Ancient Greco-Romans wouldn’t have valued consent as a part of sexual conduct. Monogamy (restricting sexual expression to the married couple) for both the man and the woman in a marriage is largely influenced by Christianity. (Males were permitted to use prostitutes, slaves, young boys, and other males as long as they took a "feminine" role). Compared to the surrounding Greco-Roman culture, St. Paul taught surprising mutual submission of husband and wife to one another. In Ephesians 5, married couples are taught to treat one another as Christ and the Church treat each other. In an age of persecution this is a very high calling to self sacrificial love. The elevation of the value of women could be seen as an influence of Christianity- Indeed, it happened in places heavily influenced by Christianity. In the early church women were taught along with men and both received the Sacrament on equal footing. … There are some who took seriously St. Paul’s words,
This isn’t to say that Christians haven’t done bad things. But the moral landscape most of us live in, the moral framework we use, is largely influenced by Christianity, even when people want to reject Christianity they are unknowingly using Christian terms and categories.[3] I’m painting in large brush strokes here, so there will be many who want to challenge what I’m saying. But I think a good case can be made to assert these things.
For example, the idea of human rights, and protecting the weak and defenseless, is arguably of Christian origin. Seeing individuals as created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), and seeing the needy as Christ coming to us in disguise (Matt 25), gave rise to the desire to care for all individuals as valuable (I admit, this hasn’t always been done consistently or well). These would have been odd thoughts to ancient Romans and Greeks, for example. People were not inherently valuable to them. The Christian belief that all human beings had inherent dignity led to the creation of hospitals and medical treatments to help the suffering.
Slavery has been the norm around the world. The surprising thing isn’t that slavery has existed in human history. The surprising thing is that there might be an end to it. Places in the world where slavery ended has been due primarily to the influence of Christians and Christianity. For example, Thailand made slavery illegal in 1905, China in 1910, and Saudi Arabia in 1962. There are still slave markets in Sudan and this isn't to say anything about the illegal human trafficing issue facing the world.
The ending of human sacrifice, and of practices like Sati (where a wife would burn herself alive on her husband’s funeral pyre), is largely due to the influence of Christianity.
Many of the sexual morals we have are influenced by Christianity. The concept of consent (as not just the privilege of rich free women), is arguably, influenced by Christianity. Christianity has taught that sexuality is to be restrained. The passions of the flesh are dangerous if left untamed. Ancient Greco-Romans wouldn’t have valued consent as a part of sexual conduct. Monogamy (restricting sexual expression to the married couple) for both the man and the woman in a marriage is largely influenced by Christianity. (Males were permitted to use prostitutes, slaves, young boys, and other males as long as they took a "feminine" role). Compared to the surrounding Greco-Roman culture, St. Paul taught surprising mutual submission of husband and wife to one another. In Ephesians 5, married couples are taught to treat one another as Christ and the Church treat each other. In an age of persecution this is a very high calling to self sacrificial love. The elevation of the value of women could be seen as an influence of Christianity- Indeed, it happened in places heavily influenced by Christianity. In the early church women were taught along with men and both received the Sacrament on equal footing. … There are some who took seriously St. Paul’s words,
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).The rise of public education came under the influence of Christianity. … Some have argued that science arose largely because of a Judeo-Christian understanding of reality- that there were natural laws that governed reality, created by a Lawgiver. These laws could be discovered, and were predictable. This could lead to technologies.
Much of the world’s most praised music, literature, art, and architecture, has been inspired by Christianity. …
More could be said, and there are a few good books on this subject that I’m happy to recommend (see footnotes), but I think we can see the picture I’m suggesting. Even for those who want to reject it, especially in the West, Christianity is the air we breathe. Even movements like Communism have been suggested to be something like a Christian heresy (Marxism rejects religion) that tried to rip the common life of the Early Church (and many religious communities inspired by them) from it’s religious context-
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:44-45).I don’t want to be too triumphalistic here, and I don’t want to suggest that Christians haven’t done bad things. I acknowledge that, but I think it is also important to acknowledge the good influence that Christianity has had. Lately, the only acceptable politically correct way for Christians to talk about their history has been from a place of self-flagellation. But to honour our spiritual mothers and fathers it is important to also recognize the good influence they have had on the world. Often, we can only see the good by imagining what the world might be like without the influence of Christianity. The moderns values we have that are so important to us have largely originated in places that have been deeply influenced by Christianity.
… At the very least we have to acknowledge that the ways of the God of Israel, in some form, have had a powerful worldwide influence. Much of the world seeks out the blessing and guidance of the God who was worshipped by King David in Jerusalem. And if you are willing to believe in the good influence of Christianity, then you can also acknowledge the blessing of the God of Abraham to the world. … And all of this is terribly unlikely from a merely human and historical point of view. Isaiah’s vision that the Nations would come to seek the ways and blessing of the God of Israel has come more true than anyone could have predicted.
But there is more to the Promise. The stumbling and imperfect attempts of the followers of Jesus to spread his ways to the world, which have also been mixed with empire and pride and hypocrisy, will at some point be replaced with the direct presence of Christ himself. That is the hope of the Second Coming.
“O Root of Jesse,I understand that there is a lot of nuance that is missing from this short and wide-reaching sermon. For example, we could also talk about the religious influence of Buddhism on eastern morality, but that would turn this topic into a book.
standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.” AMEN
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