Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
9 E Homestead Ave. Palisades Park, NJ 07650 201-944-2107 Sundays 11:00 a.m. We preach Christ crucified (1. Corinthians 1,23)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

O Root of Jesse antiphon. 19. December

O Radix Jesse


℣ O Root of Jesse, standing as an Ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do | homage: * 
℟ Draw near quickly to de- | liver us.

A Shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. On that day the Root of Jesse shall stand as a Signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of Him, and His dwelling shall be glorious (Isaiah 11,1.10). But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He go forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5,2). And again, Isaiah says: There shall be a Root of Jesse, and He shall arise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust (Romans 15,12). 

The Apostle Paul writes: The Jews are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever (Romans 9,4-5). Jesus is the Jewish Messiah promised to all the patriarchs. His lineage stretches back through David, Jesse, Judah, Jacob (Israel), Isaac and Abraham. But Paul also says that Jesus is also the Christ of the Gentiles (the nations). The Prophet Isaiah even foretold this (11,10). Jesus is thus the Savior of the entire world: no nation, race or people is left out; He was born to redeem all men and women. Through Abraham's offspring all the Earth has been blessed. 

Prayer: O Jesus Christ, Thou Root of Jesse, send forth the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel so that all nations and people may hear and believe that Jesus was born and has obtained eternal life and salvation for all people.  Amen.

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