"'Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. Zechariah 3:8
The bible uses branch to illustrate and produce glory for God. For the most part, a branch is an extension off the main root or trunk of a plant or origination that produces the fruit the branch is known for. At times the church is the division that God uses to promote his glory and at other times it is the lay person that glorifies God.
A noticeable form of a branch is seen in the Menorah a lampstand placed in the Holy place that provided light during the nighttime hours. In Revelations 1:20 the seven golden lampstands represented the seven churches. If we assume the Holy Place to be representative of the church, the church is to be a shining light in the kingdom of darkness. In this way the light of God exposes the evil deeds of mankind so they may purify themselves and prepare themselves for the glory of God.
Jesus said you are the light of the world and you were not to hide your light but to let your light shine before men.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16
The arms of the Menorah were called branches and they held the sacred oil that burned between the evening sacrifices and the morning sacrifice. Throughout the night oil was added to the lampstand to replenish the oil used to light the Holy Place. This signifies the need to refresh one’s spirit and the need to be in attendance in the Holy Place or the church at scheduled times so the light of the church may be kept burning.
Between the morning and evening sacrifices we have sunlight lighting the world which is reflective of the light of the world. Jesus came as a branch the shoot from the stump of the linage of David. He came as the light of the world shining in the darkness, but the world did not comprehend him or his purpose for coming. John 1:4-5
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46
Between the two daily sacrifices the sun shed light on the world but Jesus came as the light of the world as the Lamb of God to die for the sin of mankind. You could say the morning sacrifice represented the sacrifice of a lamb from the flock but the evening sacrifice represented the Lamb of God sent by God to atone for the sins of mankind.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Your sin has been atoned for but it lacks your acceptance. The free gift of God is eternal life but you must choose to make Jesus Christ your Lord. God will rule throughout eternity and all he wants is for you to acknowledge him and follow his ways.
On the other hand darkness makes you oblivious to God’s plan and keeps your mind on your earthly desires. Darkness also makes you insensitive and unaware of future consequences for those who neglect, reject and ignore God and his plan for mankind. Darkness hides the fact that God does not want men to perish but to receive salvation through Jesus Christ.
Darkness hides the truth so it cannot be seen and it keeps those in the kingdom of darkness in its deception. The wickedness of men suppresses the truth (Romans 1:18) by their evil deeds and keeps men in darkness because of what they see. In other words because the world by nature hates evil, wickedness gains the attention of those who live by sight rather than by faith in God.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-7
As Christians we become the branch of Christ’s ministry and an ambassador that takes God’s message to the world. 1 Timothy 2:4 tells us that God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. As Christians Jesus is our light who dwells in us so we can become the light of the world. To that end Jesus said;
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Because the world lives by sight Christians are to live for the glory of God so men may see their good deeds. This makes the world curious to need to know why you are different. Live in such a way that you are prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the hope that you have in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15).
Being an Ambassador is not burdensome but a joy when your light shines out into a dark world with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Being faithful to Jesus Christ will cause you to branch out into at least one ministry that serves both God’s mission and the salvation of mankind.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world but he is also the truth and the light in you. Apart from God you will not bear fruit and put yourself in danger of being thrown into the fire. God continually prunes us so our light will be brilliantly seen in the world and let people know that God loves them and doesn’t want them to perish.
The servants of the lord reflect the glory of God just as Moses’ face shone with the glory of God from being in his presence. The people took notice and were afraid to come near him. Moses assembled them to hear what the Lord said in the same way we are to teach them to obey everything that Christ have commanded of you.
Let’s remember that Jesus will rescue us from the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10). We are the branch of the Lord (John 15:5) which continues his ministry to reach out to the unsaved. We are his messenger that presents the good news that all who call upon the lord can be saved. The gift of life is for those who accept his plan of salvation and proved worthy of eternal life. For God also said;
"They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Malachi 3:17-18
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