Long ago there was a Garden. It was lush and beautiful and full of life. It was the sole possession of only two people and they had complete dominion over it. You know this place was beautiful because the Lord God Himself came down every evening to stroll in its beauty and walk intimately with His crown of creation.
There were many plants and animals of all varieties and its breadth of splendor has never been equaled. There were also two trees and their significance also had no equal.
One tree was the Tree of Life. The two in the Garden could eat of it any time they wished. There was no prohibition of its delicacy.
Then there was another tree; the tree of the Knowledge of God and Evil. Its delicacy was also very appealing. Maybe even the most appealing of all. But the two in the Garden were sternly warned not to partake of its pleasure because to do so would mean death.
You know the story. They ate of that tree and disaster struck. The universe forever changed with that one fateful bite and man's destiny was altered in an instant. So terrible was the bite, that the Man and Woman had to be thrown from Paradise so they could not eat from the Tree of Life. So zealous was God for the Tree of Life that He sent a warrior angel to protect it from the Man so they could not return to it, eat from it and bring more disaster to the universe God created.
Now, there was a second garden where Perfection walked with God. And He prayed in that garden, “Father, if it is possible, please take this cup from me. But not my will but Yours.” Was it the cross that caused Him such agony or knowing for the first time in all eternity, there would be separation in the Trinity? There was never a time that Jesus was ever apart from God. There was never a moment when they did share fellowship one with another. But God would turn His back on Jesus as all His anger and judgement for sin was poured out on Jesus.
After a night of prayer, His time had come. He stood before Pilot the Governor and Caiaphas the High Priest and though Pilot found no fault in Him, He was crucified on a cross. But what they called crucifixion, God called sacrifice. And what they called justice, God called atonement. And at the 3 o’clock hour Jesus cried out “It is finished.” And He bowed His head in rest.
Jesus, by His own submission, became the new Tree of Life and whoever partakes of Him will live forever. And by His resurrection, He was the first to raise from the dead and never die. He is the First Born of all creation. In Egypt the first born died so God's people could be freed, Jesus died so He could be the First Born of all who are free.
The grave of Jesus was not a tomb; it was a womb. And from the womb sprang eternal life that glorious morning when the angel rolled backed the stone and God said to Jesus like Jesus said to Lazarus, “Come out!”
And the body Jesus raised with, is the body we will raise with. Our own grave is not a tomb, but a womb. And we too will spring forth from our womb into eternal life just like Jesus, because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25
As you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth this weekend, remember He is the Tree of Life and all who partake of Him will never die. There is no guardian angel to keep any away from Him. All who believe may dine.
Feast my friends.
RP
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