“The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9)
This past week, Kinsey and Jordan invited Karlyn, Susan, and me to join their family for two days in Orlando. We spent one day at Animal Kingdom and one day a nice pool where we stayed.
It is interesting how so many books, movies, and places of entertainment echo themes and messages from the Bible. In the middle of Animal Kingdom is a giant tree that took 18 months to complete. It is 145 feet tall, has 8000 branches, 102,000 leaves, 300 carvings, and is called ‘The Tree of Life.’
The Author of Life placed two real trees in the Garden… one whose fruit was forbidden and one intended to bring blessing. When Adam and Eve sinned and were banished from the Garden, angels were put in place to guard a source of life. “The Lord God said, ‘… He must not be able to reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’” (Genesis 3:24)
During our afternoon at the pool, Susan pointed up to the clouds at the work of a small plane. Spelled out was the Source our Heavenly Father offers all who will look to Him for Life. He wants all men and women everywhere to believe and receive His most precious Gift. Jesus is all about Life.
‘I am the Bread of Life. Come to Me and receive true nourishment. My Body is real food and My Blood is real drink. I came to earth and died on the Cross in order for you to have eternal Life. I am the True Vine. Those who live in Me are My branches. Apart from Me you cannot truly live. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. I am the Resurrection and the Life. My words are Spirit and they are Life. Listen, obey, and abide in Me… and I will abide in you and you will experience abundant Life.’
“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-19
“Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” John 6:57
“As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you: continue in My love. If you obey My commands, you will continue in My love, as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and continue in His love.” John 15:9-10