by Pastor Mark Moreno
The Enduring Beauty of Jesus’ Cross
My Navy duty travels take me to many exotic places, and one location that I have been able to frequent has been the island of Oahu. It has some amazing history and some really unique spots to visit. That being said, it is also super crowded with tourists on a regular basis. That means large portions of the island have become very commercialized just like so many other locations around the world. It reminds me on one of Yogi Berra’s quotes, “ No one goes there anymore. It’s too crowded”.
Exploring the island one evening, I found myself in Waikiki located on the south shore of the island. There are high rise hotels, shopping, dining and more! I came around a corner and was greeted with the image for our devotion today: A beautifully lit tree.
I love the color, the contrast, the contours. I love how different and magical it looks in the evening. It took me a minute to think of snapping a photo!
It got me thinking about some of the beautiful trees we find in the Bible:
- The Apple Tree: Found in Song of Solomon 2:3, it is used as a beautiful symbol of romantic devotion and the comfort found in a beloved’s shade.
- The Olive Tree: A beloved symbol of peace, blessing, and spiritual renewal, representing God’s abundance.
- The Tree of Life: Found in both Genesis 2:9 and Revelation 22:2, it is the ultimate picture of eternal life, healing, and restoration.
- The Palm Tree: Mentioned in Psalm 92:12, it represents resilience, victory, and uprightness because it thrives even in dry places.
Interestingly, often times the cross that Jesus was crucified on is referred to as a tree (Acts 5:30) and the Greek word xylon translates to “wood, timber, tree” in various contexts. I like how the death of Jesus “on a tree” reverses the Garden of Eden and the sin and death that came “through a tree”.
I pray that you see the beauty of God’s grace that is Jesus in your daily life; be it an exotic location or the same place you always seem to be.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
