September 20—Morning—Zechariah 6:12
"Behold the man whose name is the Branch." — Zechariah 6:12

My soul, listen to this call and behold this wonderful Man, whose name is the Branch. Observe the remarkable features of His person. This is one of the prophetic names of Him, in whom all the Old Testament saints believed as the Redeemer of Israel. He is the Branch of the Lord, the Branch of righteousness, or, as He is called elsewhere, the Nazarene. Notice how fitting this title is in describing His nature. He grows up out of His place. And where is that place? It is within the eternal counsel of Jehovah. Who can declare His generation?

He is indeed a rod from the stem of Jesse and a branch out of his roots, yet He is also the root of David Himself, planted in the eternal purpose of God's sovereign decree, and sprouting forth as a branch in all the moments of His incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, and glory. What a branch of never-failing beauty and everlasting fruitfulness He is, in all the declarations of His gospel, converting sinners and comforting saints. And what an eternal, ever-flourishing branch He is to all His redeemed in both grace and glory.

Hail, You glorious, wonderful Man, whose name is the Branch! You are indeed, as the prophet described You, beautiful and glorious in the eyes of all Your redeemed. On You, Lord, I would hang all the glory of Your Father's house and all the glory of my salvation. May it be my portion to sit under Your shadow with great delight here until You bring me home to sit under You, the tree of life, in the Paradise of God, to fully enjoy You forever.
 

September 20—Evening—John 15:1
"The true vine." — John 15:1

Dearest Jesus, how can I ever sufficiently admire, let alone adore You, for Your wonderful and unmatched condescension? What image, what symbol in nature, have You used here—choosing the vine—to show the humility and meekness of Your person, and at the same time, Your fruitfulness, love, and care for Your people! It was truly prophesied of You, my Lord, that You would be "as a root out of dry ground." And what appears as dry and unpromising before it buds as the vine?

It was said that You would have "no form nor comeliness, nor any beauty that we should desire You." And here, when You call Yourself "the true vine," surely, Lord, You could have chosen no image more humble. It was said that You would be "lowly and meek, coming with salvation." And what is so low as the vine, that sends forth her branches upon the ground? What is as weak and fragile as the vine, always needing some prop or support to rest its branches upon?

Your extent, O Lord, in spreading Your gospel was foretold to be "from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." Truly, Lord, in the wide-spreading branches of the vine, You are the fruitful bough of Joseph, "a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall." And when we see the multitude of Your people all hanging on You, all united to You, and all drawing nourishment, life, and strength from You, what can better represent Jesus and His people than the rich vine with its branches, bearing the fullest clusters of the pure blood of the grape?

Precious Lord Jesus, You are indeed "the true vine," and "the plant of renown," which, for health, beauty, nourishment, and delight, surpasses the entire creation of God. Lord, let me sit under Your shadow, let me taste of Your fruit, "for those who dwell under Your shadow shall return; they shall revive like grain, and grow like the vine; their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon!"

Robert Hawker