Back to the Garden: river, tree

Ezekiel 47:1, 12 - "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple.... Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

When Adam and Eve stood by the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they had gone to the wrong tree. The tree of life was the sacramental life source, God had invited them to eat of. He had forbidden the other tree, so they went and stood by it. Where are you looking for food, for life, for growth, for direction? Who do you trust? Jesus Christ has set this table so you can respond in faith each week. You have come to the tree of life. Jesus the new Adam has forged a way back into the garden. The flaming sword fell on Him as He entered. It killed Him, but God resurrected Him and He has led us in. We are in the holy of holies, as priests cleansed by His blood, shed back there at the gate, at the altar, at the cross, pictured in the waters of baptism. We have come through and we stand at the tree. The first tree brought death. The tree of Calvary took away the sting of that death. The everlasting tree of life remains for us to eat of its fruit. It will give everlasting life, but only when you eat trusting in the new Adam, your Savior.

6/27/10