There were two very important trees in the garden of Eden. The first was the root of all evil, both literally and figuratively, AKA the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The second- its far less talked about counterpart -was The Tree of Life. The first takes centre stage, not only in Genesis but throughout the whole Bible. Perhaps this is expected considering it was involved in one of the most pivotal human decisions in the history of the world.
Here’s a recap, Adam and Eve ate from this forbidden tree of knowledge despite God’s explicit instructions not to. By doing so, sin entered the world.
But, what about this mysterious Tree of Life?
The truth is, we don’t know a huge amount about this tree. We do know that it was in the garden, and that, if a person were to eat from it, they would receive eternal life.
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.”
Genesis 3:22 (NIV)
This is one impressive tree, that we clearly no longer have access to. ‘Thanks God.’ As much as it would be easy for us to blame Him for keeping this tree away from us, the blame rests solely on the shoulders of mankind. At this point, God could have said, “Yeah, look, these humans are a lost cause. Better start again.” Lucky for us, he loves us too much to even consider that.
God set a very important plan into motion, ‘Operation Jesus’. In order to eradicate sin from the world He “gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).
Jesus is the tree of life! If we, in a completely symbolic and non-cannibalistic way, eat from Jesus we will live forever with him.
The most amazing part is that He died for us even though we are sinners and do not deserve his love and devotion. Because he died for us, we need to Live for Him. And, when we live for Him we gain Life.
AUTHOR: Samantha Nightingale, attends College Church (Avondale)