Which Tree?

I wonder how many times Adam and Eve walked past the tree of life. There were other trees in the garden, all pleasing to the eye and good to eat. But they took the fruit from the forbidden tree - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil - and ate it.

In our daily walk we come across many different kinds of ‘trees.’ How many of them are good to eat, good to absorb into our lives and beneficial for our health and wellbeing?

The Lord’s prayer is widely known, even among non-Christians. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Evil is not an abstract concept, or bad thoughts or actions. Evil emanates from the one who is the source of all that is ungodly, the devil himself. And if we are not walking under the protective covering of God, we are open to all kinds of temptations which can ultimately lead to death. “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:6).

A stark choice is now staring us in the face. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). There are only two options: - eternal life or eternal death.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

As we walk in the shadow of the Lord, we know He is with us. This gives us the confidence and strength we need to resist evil and be in harmony with the Holy Spirit. ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7-8).

The world is crying out for peace, especially these days where news travels in seconds and strife and fear encroaches almost as fast. Yet the choice still is open to us all - the fruit of the tree of life, which unites us with God for ever, or the consequences of the other, which plunges the world into darkness. ‘The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). If only the blind could have their eyes opened darkness would become light and despair would give way to hope.

Jesus alone can open unseeing eyes. A blind man heard that Jesus was walking by and cried out, “Jesus ... have mercy on me.” ‘“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”’ (Mark 10:51).