As a Christian for over 50 years, I’ve heard many sermons, but I don’t remember ever hearing someone referred to as Branch. I’m reading my second book by Billy Graham, WHERE I AM, and it says ‘He will bring an ever-lasting kingdom and will reign in power. Behold! His name is Branch.’ I thought that was pretty odd. It continues with explaining the ‘at the time of Jesus’ birth, the royal line of David--from which He came--had dried up in Israel, but He would still be King, for Branch is a title for Messiah and speaks of fruitfulness. The prophet Isaiah said ‘There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots’ ( Isaiah 11:1). And from Luke 1:3233, it says, So, ‘...when He stepped down from His eternal throne, He came as Servant--the Vine of the Vinedresser (God) who brings life. The Child from heaven had royal blood in His veins,’ tho born in a stable. But when He comes back He will reign forever as King of Christians (His followers).

That reference is also mentioned in Zechariah 6:12, when it says Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would come from David’s royal lineage. ‘Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch. God proclaimed that He was bringing forth My Servant the Branch.’ Branching out means to serve; in other words, He will harvest souls to fill heaven.

I guess I missed that church service, or was tending to my kids, or was nodding off, or just flat out wasn’t paying attention when references of Jesus’ name as Branch was explained.

I liked learning this from Graham’s book. i find his books easy to read and they can help us understand the Bible that may not otherwise be clear since many are still being printed in the English language of the 1600s.

I watch old videos of his sermons on YouTube. Even tho’ they were recorded many years ago, what he preaches is as relevant today as then. The reason the Bible is called ‘The Living Word’ is because its words never get old or die. That’s also why it’s popularity has lasted throughout the ages. You can watch his videos any day of the week, 24/7.

Graham is said to have preached to more people (face-to-face) in the world than anyone in history. He’s preached on every continent, in more than 185 countries. His books are popular all over the world. He discussed world-wide travels in his book BILLY GRAHAM, HIS LIFE AND INFLUENCE by David Aikman. Being so revered the world over, he was the only Christian preacher who was allowed to preach in several communistic countries. And, many Americans didn’t agree with him even having talks with the Pope in Rome. He didn’t have to agree with other religions or beliefs but his being allowed to preach to therm was phenomenal in making a friendly connection with our country and its beliefs.

Graham’s preaching is welcomed all over the world because he preaches with great authority--yet he makes his message easy to understand with simple explanations. In Graham’s book, WHERE I AM comes his explanation of where he is (was) today: he says ‘When I die, tell others that I’ve gone to my Lord and Savior Christ--that’s where I am.’ His heart guides him to explain Bible issues in simple terms without being wordy. I like that.

I’ve discussed who Branch is, to show how easily Graham treats explanations. He uses three books in the Bible to help us see why Jesus is referred to as the Branch. His books uses Scripture often to make points instead of using much speculations or opinions. After his passing in November 2018 at 99 years old, his children continue in their dad’s footsteps in helping make this broken world a better place. They had an awesome dad to pattern their lives after.

Have a great week. Visit our local library. Share your blessings with others.

WHERE I AM, by Billy Graham, W. Publisher, 2015; BILLY GRAHAM, by David Aikman, 2007.