By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

The Healing of the Nations

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“…the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Revelation 22:2 English Standard Version

This giant tree is one of the largest and oldest trees in Costa Rica.  Like many giant trees it is amazing!  But the most amazing tree of all time is the tree of life.  We find that tree in the Garden of Eden and it was placed there to give eternal life to all of God’s children.

But because humans sinned and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, disobeying God, they were cast out of the garden.  They were not allowed to eat from the tree of life lest they live eternally in sin and disobedience to God.

But God in his mercy sent his only Son into the world to take away the penalty of our sin and restore us to the Father.  Through Jesus’ blood upon the tree of the cross you and I are reconciled to God and receive forgiveness and are restored back into fellowship with him.

The Apostle John tells us in his vision of the new heavens and the new earth of “the river of the water of life”, that flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  And from that river grows the tree of life which yields life and gives fruit continually.  And its leaves bring healing to the nations.

In our baptism we receive new life through Jesus Christ and our sins are washed away.  We are sustained and fed through God’s Word and live in his presence.  We are healed of our sin and given life instead of death, and joy instead of sorrow.  In Jesus we are given of the tree of life and live forever with our Lord and all of our brothers and sisters.  Praise God!

“Now from that tree of Jesus’ shame Flows life eternal in His name; For all who trust and and will believe, Salvation’s living fruit receive.”

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado