Today's encouragement comes from Zechariah 6:12b, where we read these words:
"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the LORD."This OT Messianic prophecy is fulfilled perfectly and exclusively in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God came from heaven, "planted" Himself in the “soil” of this fallen earth, and has spread out over all the globe (through the extension of His church—as we preach the gospel of God’s free grace in Jesus).
Basically, that exact same pattern is the one for all true churchmen to follow today (and in every age): to be grounded (by grace through faith) in Christ; to be faithful members of His body; and from there to bear much fruit (which is the expansion of His kingdom [church]).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Can Christ forget Himself? We are His fullness, as He is ours.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
