Tree of Life

 

The Tree of life

The account of God interacting with the first humans (Adam and Eve), involves the pleasant circumstance of the Garden of Eden - Genesis 2,3.  God tested their love and loyalty by giving them one command (see John 14:15 –“if you love Me, obey My commands”)

The intrusion of Satan’s lie, spoilt that loyalty and they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What did that do for them? Instead of enjoying the garden, and God’s visits, like a young child enjoying parental care and protection, they became like restless teenagers, aware of evil and struggling to resist temptation. They could see the enemy and evil, but unable to conquer it. Outside the garden, their disconnection from God made life difficult.

Why then did God prevent them from eating of the tree of life??  – lest they live forever in this state of disconnection from God, conquered by the evil around them. Indeed God had a better plan! His plan was that humans should live forever (eternal life) in a reconciled and restored state better than the Garden of Eden.

And so this tree of life is not mentioned again until the last book of the Bible. Revelation chapter22 describes the end conclusion of the plan of God. It is a city where the river of life flows by the trees of life. This is God’s final paradise for redeemed humanity. In that city  stands the throne of God and of the Lamb, as the source of all good. Satan is bound(Rev 20), and all delight to worship God and the Lamb. Better than Eden, they shall see His face (something that was impossible before Jesus came.)

Revelation 22:14 How happy are those who are washed (forgiven and sanctified) – they eat with delight from the Tree of Life.

Revelation 22:30 – the believer delights to say “Come Lord Jesus”

Jesus promised this eternal life to those who listened to Him (in contrast to Eve listening to Satan.)

John 5:24  “ Those who listen to My voice, and believe in God who sent Me ( sent down from heaven), have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (NLT)

This promise along with many others, is why a Christian is not afraid of judgement day, but rather anticipates being in the paradise of God where the tree of life will be abundantly available .

“Sometimes I grow homesick for heaven

And the joys I there shall behold

What a day that will be

When my Saviour I see

In that beautiful city of God”

Problem

 

The problem in Capernaum was the same problem many have today, which is the love of religion and tradition. These things are what makes many people feel worthy of eternal rewards. After all, they did what they were supposed to, they honoured the traditions of their belief system, and, thus, they deserve the best in the next life and have no need for a Saviour.

What Jesus offered to those in His day is what He still offers to all mankind today – freedom. Freedom from religion, freedom from rituals, freedom from tradition. What He offers instead of rituals and traditions is to make you free.

John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Now we can be free to follow Jesus Christ without the shackles that hinder.

Risen

 

Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

All historians agree that Jesus died. Many doubt that He rose again.

The evidence that He rose and lives today is both in the Bible and in peoples lives. Many people, especially in the muslim world have had encounters with the living Jesus – visions, dream and more. The fast growth of Christianity in communist lands is not the result of political contest nor the result of clever strategy. It is the Holy Spirit winning the hearts of the people to trust in Jesus, so much so that they are willing to die for the living  Jesus Christ the Lord. (not for the church or any organisation).

The Bible record of Jesus alive after dying is varied. John the apostle saw and heard Him as recorded in Revelation 1: Jesus said “I was dead, I am alive forevermore”

Saul the persecutor of the Christians (Acts 9), heard the voice of Jesus from heaven and it completely changed his life. “who are you Lord” Saul said “I am Jesus“ was the reply .

One of the earliest writings of the New Testament  (1 Corinthians 15), attested that He rose from death and was seen by more than 500 people, many of whom were alive at the time of the writing and could be interviewed for verification.

It is good to research the four accounts of the resurrection – Matthew, Mark , Luke, John. A good forensic detective will notice discrepancies in the records. This proves there was little or no collusion, thus justifying the validity of their story from different perspectives. They all maintain the same central  point – He died and rose again with many witness to both.

Let me conclude (for much more could written) with the words of Jesus Himself before He was arrested:

“As you know, we are going to Jerusalem. And when we get there all the predictions of the ancient prophets concerning the son of man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans to be mocked, treated shamefully and spit upon. They will whip him and kill him but on the third day he will rise again.”  (Luke 18:31)

At the empty tomb the angels said “Don’t you remember what He told you…..”

And so should we – remember His words and worship Him the once crucified, now living Lord and Saviour.