“In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” and “the Word was
made flesh” from John Chapter 1. That's Jesus! Where was he in the
beginning? He was right there in the Garden of Eden! Remembering that Jesus is God, but is a different personality, it follows that since God can't be seen by man, that when he did appear, he revealed himself to man as a man. It was Jesus who walked in the garden in the cool
of the day right there with Adam and Eve! Jesus also wrestled with Jacob, protected Shadrack, Meshack and Ebednego in the fiery furnace and maybe was Melchizedek who Abraham met in awe.
Genesis 2:9 "And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil."
There were two specific trees among the many trees! It may be that the trees of "life" and "knowledge" were metaphors for "ways" since in (Genesis 3:24) The Churubim guarded it “to keep THE WAY of the tree of life." If so, then the trees would be the "way of righteousness" or the "way of disobedience"
Another possibility are that the trees were actual special trees within the garden and represented symbolically "way of righteousness" and the "way of disobedience". With Holy Scripture it is always best to accept the literal thought unless it's clearly a metaphor. Either way, the trees resulted in two choices: to live righteously or to rebel against the creator! Adam and Eve chose the latter. It would seem that "pleasure" was too tempting for them and had more attraction than contentment in life and communion with God!
Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."
They perceived through deceit that the "Tree of Knowledge" offered more! It was good for food, it was alluring in that it was pleasant looking and it would make one wise! What did the tree offer which was not taken? Life! Why take of it? That's only one aspect and they were alive already! There was little to gain. Pleasure now... worry about life later!
Adam and Eve never partook of the "Tree of Life". If they had, scripture would have said so! People can't eat of both trees! Rebellion and righteousness are not in harmony! Let's now imagine what the trees may have resembled.
The "Tree of Knowledge" was pleasant to see. It was likely majestic in stature, symmetrical in all views, the spread was proportional to the rise, the leaves were dark green and the blossoms were aromatic and aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand "The Tree of Life" was never mentioned to be "pleasant". It was likely of a different character. That tree was probably plain with skimpy foiliage. It did bear fruit, but the fruit wasn't pleasant to look at. Rather than the fruit being luscious it was good for sustenance only. I'll say it was more like manna than passion fruit. The "Tree of Life" was likely much as the other trees of the forest. It seemed to have little to offer.
I mentioned earlier that the "Tree of Life" was referred to as "the way of the Tree of Life" (Genesis 3:24). "The way" implies a walk or behavior. If one eats from the "Tree of Life" it means that one accepts God's immortality and live by faith in him. If one eats of the "Tree of Knowledge" one accepts the temporal things offered in this world and death results. That's exactly what happened! Mankind accepted a short life-span and death of the soul in return for temporal pleasure. Silly, huh? Mankind still does that!
We know from John 4:16 that Jesus is
“the way, the truth and the life”.
Right now each of us have to make the same choice as Adam and Eve. Do we accept eternal life and righteous by faith in "The Way" or do we deny Jesus and desire the pleasures offered by this world, of which the devil is prince" Most people are as Adam and Eve. They go with the serpent, the devil!
Salvation for mankind was made by Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. The “Tree of Life” not only
represents the WAY, but the cross as well:
Acts 5:30 "The God of our fathers
raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree."
That "tree" was the cross of wood. It wasn't pleasing to the eye, it didn't promise wisdom and it wasn't meant to satisfy our physical well-being by nourishment. That tree was meant for one thing. It was the tree to which "THE Tree of Life" was nailed, persecuted and died in our place. That tree was plain and ordinary just as was Jesus, the "Tree of Life" who died there. Jesus was a plain man of an ordinary family. He was "son of Joseph", the carpenter and plied that trade himself. As with most that Tree was just another man. He had to be. He had to be just like the rest of us trees so that he could feel our pain!
Jesus felt our pain so that we don't have too! That's why he took on our form. He was persecuted, ridiculed, tortured and killed (all for us). Scientists say that his face was likely disfigured beyond recognition with the severe beatings he took as well as the lacerations from the crown of thorns. Jesus was the only fruit on that tree where he was crucified. That plain fruit wasn't "pleasant" to the eye as was the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil". In his agony, Jesus was grotesque, an unpleasant fruit! The Tree doesn't offer pleasure... it offers life!
The cross was probably a tree which was stripped of all its foiliage. It likely was never of the fruit-bearing species, but the fruit it bore, although only sweet manna, was the fruit of eternal life. The only fruit borne by that tree was the Savior, Jesus, who was with God in the garden before he ever became a tree as we are. The cross was plain and rugged. It was also a symbol of the "Tree of Life" which was in the Garden!
That tree on cavalry provided the way!
That tree stood again in a paradise, a land of milk and honey,
called Canaan land. Yes, Canaan land, was a picture of Paradise! That's where the cross stood on Calvary mountain. One thing stood out with the cross, although plain and rugged, it stood majestically, pointing toward Paradise above where eternal life exists. That's a "Tree of Life" in all respects; actually pointing from a hill for all to see the Way to eternal life! The Cross was the symbol, Jesus was "The Tree"!
Jesus "The Tree of Life” is still in
Paradise. Paradise was in the garden, Paradise was Canaanland, but the enduring Paradise is Heaven. It's the place of mansions, streets of gold, health and eternal life! How do I know that Jesus was that tree in the Garden? That he was that Tree on Calvary? And is that Tree in heaven?
Revelation 2:7 tells about it: To him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise
of God."
That's Jesus! Although mankind still eats of the "Tree of Knowledge" those who follow "the Way" of Christ by overcoming the devil's temptation in pleasure, will finally get to "eat of the tree of life"! What's more that ordinary tree now stands in majesty in a Paradise called heaven! That tree was guarded in Eden by angels (Genesis 3:24) and is still guarded an worshiped by all the angels in heaven!
Yes, just as our ancestors made a choice in the Garden of Eden, we still must make our own choice: Will we be disobedient and seek wisdom, nourishment and pleasure or will we eat the Fruit of "The Tree of Life" and walk in the "Way of the Tree of Life"? My choice, your choice! Don't make the same mistake made by Adam and Eve! We don't know for sure where they are now, but God would no longer let them eat of the "Tree of Life" after that made their decision to eat of the other tree Genesis 3:23). Be sure in your decision. You can't eat of both trees and if you reject the "Tree of Life" you may never get another chance!
We forget the “Tree of Life” so
often! That “tree” is symbolic of Jesus and the eternal life he
provides. That “Tree of Life” will stand in New Jerusalem! I
wrote this poem in memory of that “Tree of Life” which is no
longer standing unrecognized in a lonely paradise called Eden, is no
longer on a tree of a paradise called Canaan, but is THE “Tree of
Life”, the King, sitting right now in Paradise at the right hand
of God!
The Tree of Life
There's a riddle for you
to solve.
A mystery even a
conundrum.
Each of you I shall
involve.
Thoughts of each may yield
the sum!
.
The mind of God is a
mystery.
His thoughts are not for
us to know.
The Scripture is more than
history.
For each and all it
puzzles so!
.
What is the “tree of
life” unconsumed?
The cherished tree guarded
by Cherubim?
The tree never sawed nor
never hewn.
The tree of life created
by God Elohim.
.
Where be that tree of life
today?
Does it yet live and is it
in Eden?
A former place with no
death nor decay.
Paradise before man became
the heathen.
.
God had a plan for his
creation.
The “tree of life” was
the way.
The tree that was God's
oblation.
Eating thereof mankind
may!
.
Adam chose wrongly the
tree by deceit.
Dying spiritually by
knowledge forbidden.
Once in peace, but and now
in defeat...
Once innocent... now in
shame hidden.
.
Where do we look for
further clue?
Where can mention of a
tree be found?
What mystery word did God
imbue?
What knowledge is
scripturally sound?
.
The place we look is a
testament of grace.
An inspired story about
the promised Christ.
The apostle's acts the
disciples face.
Where man for salvation is
enticed!
.
Luke spoke of “Jesus
hanged on a tree”.
That tree is “the Way”
to life.
Jesus hanging in place of
me.
Dying for ALL in agony and
strife.
.
His agony was on the cross
of wood.
He felt the sting of death
profound.
Hurting for us... as WE
ALL should.
Freeing us all as Satan
was bound!
.
Jesus is “the way, the
truth and the life”.
The “way of the tree of
life” was in the garden.
That tree was spurned by
Adam and wife.
Their seed must now
receive a pardon!
.
In the beginning the Word
was with God.
That Word is represented
by a meager tree.
Symbolically a tree rooted
in the sod...
but grace and truth for
you and me!
.
You see the “tree” is
still in Paradise.
That tree of life is an
eternal light.
The “tree of life”...
a living sacrifice.
Dying for us that live we
might!
.
Jesus is the Way... the
tree of life!
God had “the way” from
the beginning.
His grace was abundant,
yes it was rife.
His grace forgiving
mankind's sinning!
.
All along the puzzle was
clear.
God reveals to man his
mind.
Jesus the Savior that we
hold dear...
The love of God so meek
and kind!
.
Jesus stood firm in the
Garden at Ur.
The tree a symbol of Jesus
the Christ.
A symbol of life and truth
both pure.
Together God, the son and
Spirit tryst!
.
Isn't God great and full
of grace?
God knew in advance we
couldn't obey.
The Word a light to finish
the race.
A gift his children can
never repay!
…
Thank you Jesus for being
the Tree of Life.
Thank you Jesus for being
the Way!
Thank you Jesus for being
there.
Thank you for being
always.
Thank you for being here!
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