The Tree Of Life

To eat of the fruit of the tree of life is promised for all

who would believe.

And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Gen 3:22-24 NIV)

In the beginning humankind had access to the tree of life. The book of Genesis tells us that rather than eat from this tree of life, they were tempted and decided to eat of the tree which God had said would guarantee their deaths; the tree that God told them not to eat from. As a consequence they were kicked out of the garden in which it grew so that they would no longer have the opportunity to eat the fruit from the tree of life.

Those first people made an awful decision when they chose to listen to the serpent rather than God. The world has not changed much. We long for eternal life; yet, our sinful natures continue to steer us toward the very things that will bring us death. We often listen to the world rather than God.

But; because God so loved us all, He sent His only begotten Son, to be that tree of life for us. All who believe in Jesus will walk in the presence of God for all eternity.

In the last chapter and book of the Holy Scriptures we once again see the tree of life. (Rev 22) Jesus says “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." (Rev 22:14-15) All who believe; all whose names are written in the book of life are granted access to the fruit of the tree of life in His Kingdom!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J