Wednesday, December 8, 2021

"The Tree of Life My Soul Hath Seen..."


Scripture

Isaiah 11:1

 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.  (NRSV)


 Revelation 21:3-4

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”  (NRSV)

Devotion

 Earlier today, I received that learned that someone who has been a mother figure for most of my life is about to depart this world.  The news wasn't a surprise, but it was still painful...especially because today marks the anniversary of another love one's death.  As wait for word on the dying person's condition and reflected on the important roles both women have played in my life and how richly they both deserve their rest,  I've keep finding myself humming a Christmas hymn named "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree."

This song isn't the most popular Christmas tune out there.  I had never even heard of it until I was in seminary...and that is a shame, because it is beautiful.  The verses compare Jesus to beautiful apple tree that is perpetually covered in fruit.  The tree provides spiritual food for the starving souls, a place of rest for those who are weary, and a deep happiness beyond compare to any other pleasure.  And what give us access to these amazing blessings?  The Incarnation of Jesus Christ--God made flesh to dwell among us.

The Incarnation is a stunning event.  Who can truly wrap their minds around a God who would volunteer to to dwell  in a frail and finite thing like a human baby born to a little known family within an oppressed people?  Who would expect that baby to grow like a new shoot emerging from an old, dead stump and become fruitful enough to offer sustenance to all who came to him?   Who would think that just when he was at the height of his earthly power, that some God-made-flesh would allow himself to be chopped down--choosing to suffer pain, loss and betrayal in order to save us from ourselves.  And who would believe that he would then rise again, being greater than ever and spreading his branches through his Church until he reached corner of the earth.

His living example inspires us to trust that God's ways are good, do what is right, and find our rest in Him.  Christ is indeed the one who grew like a miraculous apple tree in the wilderness and who offers us sustenance, rest, joy, and peace.   Those who come to him, sit in the shade of his goodness and partake of the food he offers us, will find all that they need in order to abide in God's love forever.

As I remember the lives and witnesses two amazing women, I take comfort in knowing that they have found their ways to Jesus Christ, the apple tree.  They came to him over some hard highways and painful byways.   They had moments when they strayed off the path in search of other things.  But in the end, the Holy Spirit helped them find their wandering ways to the Tree of Life.  I am so glad that they now get to rest in Christ's shade..and I look forward the day when I get to join them beneath Christ's beautiful branches.

So let us give thanks for Jesus Christ:  Incarnate Word, Great Redeemer, and Eternal Life-Giver.  And as we eat of the fruit he has to offer, let us share his goodness with others.  For the fruitful trees of nature are barren when compared to the blessings we find in him.



Prayer

 Oh Jesus, great Tree of Life, thank you for the ways you sustain, protect, and encourage us. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which leads us to you.  Most of all, thank you for the love you showed us all in the Incarnation.  May I dwell safely in your shade forever.  Amen.

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