Easter plants the new Tree of Life!
Prior to recorded time Adam and Eve were banished from Eden. God placed angelic sentinels with flaming swords at Eden's gateway to prevent mankind's return. These cherubim guarded the path that led to the Tree of Life.
So, what happened to that tree, for the physical Eden no longer exists? Surely it was lost, as with the Garden of Eden during another pre-history event, the great flood?
Winding the clock forward, flipping through the pages of the Bible we see the Tree of Life alive and well in heaven. It inexplicably straddles the river of life (See Revelation 22:2).
Important note: the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil is absent, it does not re-appear in heaven. All evil and all its knowledge too has been defeated and removed from heaven and then earth.
The question arises in my mind, what represents the Tree of Life now upon earth? Surely it is the Bible, for from it the words of life are found? But still this thought does not fully satisfy, for the Bible itself points to The Living Word, the Son of God - so much higher than itself as 'merely' a written text. (See John 5:39-40)
As in Eden there was a real life-giving tree made of wood, hence where is such a life-giving tree found later in the Bible? Is it not the Cross of the Christ, also made of wood?
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24, see too Acts 5:30, 10:39 & 13:29)
Jesus explained how a tree could be recognized by its fruits.
The fruits of the wooden Cross are as the fruits of the Tree of Life. They are:
- eternal life giving,
- never fading, never going rotten,
- truth laden,
- righteousness guiding,
- healing, and
- no other 'tree' can offer equivalent fruit.
From The Cross falls all the good fruit that recaptures the Tree of Life in Eden. But, this time, its fruits lead to the new Eden, the new heaven and earth. Here, its fruits will never again be confused, challenged or trampled under feet.
The Cross of Calvary is the new Tree of Life.
It is those who bend the knee at the foot of The Cross who see and taste its sweet fruits on earth, then to cherish them always.
Today's Soul Snippet:
'Faithfulness is a jewel.' ~ anon
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