Oaks of Righteousness

At my parents’ cabin stands a mighty oak tree that has been there long before I was born. It is massive. It has grown. It is unique. It has damage from wind, storms and changes from the Minnesota seasons. Yet, it stands strong and healthy.

At the end of the Messiah's ministry description in Isaiah 61:3, there is a picture of a person who lets Jesus do His life changing work in them. "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor."

What a description of a mature follower of Jesus, "Oaks of Righteousness."

What comes to your mind?
What do you see in your imagination?

Strong, sturdy, deeply planted, crooked, cracked, bent, weathered, rugged, flourishing, stalwart, secure, resolute, and more.

We all love this end result. I do not think anyone likes the process to get there. Let's remember the process of cooperating with Jesus to transform us in Isaiah 61.

• Hearing and cooperating with the good news of Jesus.
• Letting Jesus bind up our broken hearts. (This means we have to open up our broken hearts)
• Letting Jesus set us free from the captivity of each of our sins and temptations.
• Letting Jesus release us from the darkness we have chosen to connect with.
• Letting Jesus pour His favor upon us while He took the vengeance of God.
• Letting Jesus comfort us as we mourn and grieve over our sin and the pain it has caused us, our loved ones and God Himself.

Sometimes, as we go through this process, it seems like God is not on our side. When the spiritual wind comes and stretches us and even snaps off branches, let's be honest, "Ouch." Jesus is cutting away branches that do not bear His fruit. We would rather guide Jesus by saying...
"No, not that branch."
"How about this branch."
"Let's just ignore that one."
"I'm not ready to face this one."
"Why do we have to deal with that one?"
 
We must decide to let Jesus come and do some painful work.

If we do, "(We) are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. (We) blossom in everything (we) do." Ps 1:3

Remember, this result is for "His splendor."

I am praying that together, we will decide to cooperate with the painful transformational process of our Messiah. I am praying that Jesus will strengthen our lives. I am praying that we will let Jesus create His righteous oaks.

Pastor Chris

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