Engraved on the Tree

               When I was a young boy, I used to roam the woods, teaching myself the names of the various trees of the forest.  One tree, the beech tree had a smooth light gray bark with a unique quality. If you carved your name into the bark, it would expand and remain over time.  Regretfully, I admit somewhere in those woods my name is probably still on that tree.

            The Bible tells us about three trees, to which you and I are linked.  The first tree is the tree of knowledge of good and evil that we find in the Garden of Eden.  When Adam and Eve ate from its forbidden fruit, we were there participating with him.  Rom. 5:12 says: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned”.  We have our names carved on that tree.  Because of our sins we are under the penalty of death (Rom. 6:23).

            The first tree brought condemnation, but I am so thankful for the second tree.  The cross of Jesus Christ brings salvation.  Peter tells us: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24).  When Jesus died upon that second tree, He took all our sins upon Himself and paid the debt in full. Have you carved your name into that second tree by placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior?

            The Bible mentions a third tree, the tree of life.  It was also there in the Garden of Eden, but Adam and Eve were not allowed access to it after they sinned. This tree resurfaces again in the book of Revelation.  In a wonderful description of heaven Rev. 22:2 describes the delights of this tree.  Those who inhabit heaven will be able to eat the delicious fruit from the tree of life.

            The first tree brought sin separation and death.  The last tree brings life, eternal delight, and heaven.  But the tree that bridges the gap is the cross.  Have you made sure that your name is engraved on that middle tree, the cross?