"Tender Plant"

                For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, 

                                And as a root of dry ground

                                             ISAIAH 53:2

         

    The coming of Jesus was like a tender plant in the midst of a parched ground. Parched ground offers little hope for survival; it is dry and too hardened to allow most plants to penetrate its crust. Yet Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry and lifeless environment in order to bring life.

    When Jesus was born, His people were haerdened to God's word, There is no written record of God's having spoken to His people for four hundred years. The religious leaders of Jesus's day had studied and memorized the scriptures, but the word were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth that when God's Son came to them, they killed Him Nevertheless, despite the enmity of the people, Jesus brought life to all who believe in Him.

    Jesus is capable of bringing life to any person, society, or culture no matter how hardened or hostile they have become to the gospel. Even the most calloused sinner will discover that Jesus knows how to penetrate the heart and bring life where there was only bitterness. The work of Jesus in a person's life may seem fragile at first; but the mustard seed, it will eventually grow into something strong.

    As you pray for someone you care about, don't be discouraged if this person has not responded to Jesus just as a tender plant find a way to grow in a hard and unreceptive enviroment, so the love Jesus has the ability  to emerge in a life that seems comletely unresponsive.