THE JESSE TREE Introduction[1]
The idea of a Jesse Tree is to use the scripture which foretold that Jesus would be born of the Root of Jesse, namely David. The Scripture is from I Samuel 16: 1-13[2]
This scripture will be used as one of the readings, but provides the background for the Jesse Tree Experience.
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you continue to feel sorry for Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. Fill your container with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse who lives in Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
But Samuel said, “If I go, Saul will hear the news. And he will try to kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a young calf with you. Say, ‘I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. Then I will show you what to do. You must appoint the one I show you.”
Samuel did what the Lord told him to do. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of Bethlehem shook with fear. They met him and asked, “Are you coming in peace?”
Samuel answered, “Yes, I come in peace. I have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Make yourselves holy for the Lord and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he made Jesse and his sons holy for the Lord. And he invited them to come to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab. Samuel thought, “Surely the Lord has appointed this person standing here before him.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t look at how handsome Eliab is. Don’t look at how tall he is. I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and told him to pass by Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this man either.” Then Jesse had Shammah pass by. But Samuel said, “No, the Lord has not chosen this one.”
Jesse had seven of his sons pass by Samuel. But Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.”
Then he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse answered, “I still have the youngest son. He is out taking care of the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him. We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
So Jesse sent and had his youngest son brought in. He was a fine boy, tanned and handsome.
The Lord said to Samuel, “Go! Appoint him. He is the one.”
So Samuel took the container of olive oil. Then he poured oil on Jesse’s youngest son to appoint him in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Lord’s Spirit entered David with power. Samuel then went back to Ramah.
But the Lord’s Spirit had gone out of Saul. And an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. Saul’s servants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. Give us the command. We will look for someone who can play the harp. When the evil spirit from the Lord enters you, he will play. Then the evil spirit will leave you alone. And you will feel better.” So Saul said to his servants, “Find someone. If he plays well, bring him to me.”
One of the servants said, “Jesse of Bethlehem has a son who plays the harp. I have seen him play it. He is a brave man and fights well. He is a good speaker and handsome. And the Lord is with him.”
Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse. The message said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse loaded a donkey with bread and a leather bag full of wine. He also took a young goat. He sent them all with his son David to Saul.
When David came to Saul, he began to serve him. Saul loved David very much. And David became the officer who carried Saul’s armor Saul sent a message to Jesse. He said, “Let David stay and serve me. I like him.”
When the evil spirit from God entered Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then the evil spirit would go out of him. And Saul would feel relief. He would feel better again.
And from Isaiah 11: 1-10:[3]
This scripture will also be used later in the readings, but provides background for The Jesse Tree Experience.
A branch will grow
from a stump of a tree that was cut down.
So a new king will come from the family of Jesse.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon that king.
The Spirit gives him wisdom,
understanding, guidance and power.
And the Spirit teaches him to know and respect the Lord.
This king will be glad to obey the Lord.
He will not judge by the way things look.
He will not judge by what people say.
He will judge the poor honestly.
He will be fair in his decisions for the poor people of the land.
At his command evil people will be punished.
By his words the wicked will be put to death.
Goodness and fairness will give him strength.
They will be like a belt around his waist.
Then wolves will live in peace with lambs.
And leopards will lie down to rest with goats.
Calves, lions and young bulls will eat together.
And a little child will lead them.
Cows and bears will eat together in peace.
Their young will lie down together.
Lions will eat hay as oxen do.
A baby will be able to play near a cobra’s hole.
A child will be able to put his hand
into the nest of a poisonous snake.
They will not hurt or destroy each other
on all my holy mountain.
The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the sea is full of water.
At that time the new king from the family of Jesse
will stand as a banner for the people.
The nations will come together around him.
And the place where he lives will be filled with glory.
At that time the Lord will again reach out
and take his people who are left alive.
These are God’s people who are left alive
in Assyria, North Egypt, South Egypt, Cush, Elam,
Babylonia, Hamath and all the islands of the sea.
These are both prediction prophecies from the Old Testament. The Jesse Tree displays evidences of God’s protection, provision, sovereignty, and mighty works throughout the Bible to Old Testament Heroes of the Faith.
Each day there is a theme, a sketch of an ornament, and a scripture passage. There is also a prayer, or you may fashion your own. Be flexible, and create a format from these suggestions. The ornament is to be displayed in one of these provided ways, or you can be creative and display it as you wish for your family’s tradition. Here are some ideas for your Jesse Tree:
- Use a live tree you will plant later.
- Use a treeless branch with a main “trunk” and enough side branches on which to hang ornaments. This can be set in plaster of Paris to steady it.
- Use brown felt or fabric to fashion a wall hanging. Use wooden pegs, Velcro, or tiny clothespins to display the ornaments each day.
- Use a tree branch to make a mobile, or hang ornaments from the dinner table chandelier
- Use a separate Christmas tree for this display and/or also include Chrismons for a combination display.
[1] Used by permission www.rca.org/resources/jesse-tree-family-devotions. Illustrations by Helen Phillips except for the lion which was drawn by Jeff Brown.
[2] International Children’s Bible
[3] Ibid.
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