By Pastor Mark Moreno

What’s in a Tree?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Trees are all over this planet! As a matter of fact, I bet you could put down your phone and find the nearest tree in a few seconds. We know that they have this incredible relationship with us because we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Trees do the opposite, so to speak.

There are trees in the first chapter of Genesis (verses 11–12), in the first psalm (Psalm 1:3), and on the last page of Revelation (22:2). The Bible even refers to wisdom as a tree (Proverbs 3:18)!

There is just something majestic about a large tree: It has obviously stood the test of time to become what it is today. How many years ago was it just a sapling? What events have unfolded in human history? How long will it remain after I am long gone?

Interestingly enough, often times the cross on which Jesus died is referred to as a “tree” in 1 Peter 2:24,

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
English Standard Version

Maybe trees are all around us to remind us of God’s story. He created us, He redeemed us, He has made us His own. One thing that struck me about the tree pictured is that over the years, people have carved their names into the trunk, so in many ways, it looks like the tree has scars!

Our Lord Jesus was scarred for us. In a very real way, our names are upon Jesus because He died for us! Jesus is the Word made flesh, He carries our sin and shame to the cross, or tree, so that we may be made forgiven and whole.

I encourage you to go out and plant a tree this week as a reminder that our God lives and reigns! I recently visited my high school and saw where our science class had planted trees many years ago. Now that area has beautiful huge trees! Praise be to God!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado