The Tree of Life

The trees are quiet.  We are waiting for a line of storms to move up I-44 by about 7 p.m.  Then with the wind they will come alive shaking, weaving, and waving.  Once the storms pass the trees will return to quietude once again.

In John’s vision in Rev. 22 a grove of the Tree of Life, makes a park area between the river and the street in the restored Garden of Eden.  The grove is a sort of fruit of the month club continually producing twelve kinds of fruit. The curse placed on Adam and Eve for eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil has been removed.  Christ took that curse upon himself, replacing the curse with God’s grace and blessing. 

The leaves have healing powers, not only for medical purposes, but the ability to heal the relationships and the waring nature of the nations.

This Tree of Life is none other than Jesus Christ himself.   A sentence from the Orthodox vespers service for Easter sums it up, “By your cross, you did destroy the curse of the tree.  By your burial you did slay the dominion of death. By your rising, you did enlighten humanity. O One who brings blessings, Christ our God, to you be glory.”

A Hungarian hymn tells us:

There in God’s garden stands the Tree of Wisdom, whose leaves hold forth the healing of the nations.  See how its branches reach to us in welcome; hear what the voice says, “Come to me, you weary!  Give me your sickness; give me your sorrow; I will give blessing.”