After a customer at a supermarket self-checkout had completed her transaction, I made my way to the self-checkout and proceeded to scan my goods. Unexpectedly, a visibly angry person confronted me. I’d failed to notice that she was actually next in line for checkout. Recognising my mistake, I sincerely said, “I’m sorry.” She replied (though not limited to these words), “No, you’re not!”
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were wrong, acknowledged it and tried to make things right—only to be rebuffed? It doesn’t feel good to be misunderstood or misjudged, and the closer we are to those we offend or those who offend us, the more painful it is. How we wish they could see our hearts!
The prophet Isaiah’s snapshot in Isaiah 11:1–5 is that of a God-appointed ruler with wisdom for perfect judgement. “He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth” (vv. 3–4). This was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. Though in our sinfulness and weakness we don’t always get it right, we can take heart that the all-seeing, all-knowing God of heaven knows us fully and judges us rightly.
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
When have you been misunderstood or misjudged? How does it encourage you to know that God sees and knows you fully, even when others don’t?
Father, thank You for knowing everything about me—my words, thoughts and actions. Please forgive me when I’m harsh in my judgements of others because of my limited view of the situation.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Isaiah 11:1 says, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Jesse was the father of David, the shepherd who became Israel’s greatest king. Therefore, the Branch of Jesse referred to one who would descend from David’s line to rule. The genealogy of Matthew 1 makes it clear that Jesus would be the Branch (see v. 1 ). The Jewish people saw their long-awaited Messiah as the Son of David—a phrase repeatedly used by people Christ encountered in the Gospels. Most notably, we see this title given to Him during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (21:9–11), as the people cried out to Him, “Hosanna” (Lord save us). Indeed, Jesus would in a very few days go to the cross for that very purpose.
Bill Crowder
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