Living Beneath Our Calling

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment. [Isaiah 11.1-5]

What a perfect description of Jesus!

What a perfect description of every believer in Christ!

In fact, the very same passage here that prophesies about Jesus is prophesying about Jesus' followers.

How do I know that without doubt? Jesus said so...

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. [John 17.18]

I am not making this stuff up! This was Jesus' prayer to God about His followers! So, everything Isaiah prophesied about Jesus in the Isaiah 11.1-5, he prophesied about every person who follows Christ!

Interestingly enough, in the first part of the topic passage of this post, Isaiah mentions a branch bearing fruit... Consider this:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. [John 15.5]

Just go back and re-read Isaiah 11.1-5. That is about you and it is about me (all because of Jesus). If it sounds like a lot of authority, it is:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28.18-20]

We are representatives of God's Kingdom. We are called, anointed and sent in every bit of the same authority that was bestowed upon Jesus. That was the point.

Father, help us to quit living beneath our calling and anointing. Forgive us - forgive me - for believing anything less about my calling than I believe about Jesus' calling.