Listen … That You May Live

Long ago, when the earth was young, an ancient paradise perched at the crown of the world. Around its borders, rivers ran wild and sweet, and sunlight shimmered in wind-rustled treetops. In the midst of that paradise, a garden bloomed, and at the garden’s heart grew two Trees. One stood bold, lush, and cool, boasting rich fruit; the other’s rugged trunk concealed veins of glowing fire.

The Voice of the wind playing through the grasses could still be heard in those days, and it swirled around the burning Tree:

“Listen, listen to Me and eat what is good,

     and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to Me; 

     listen, that you may live.”

And in the cool of the day in that garden, the Lord God walked.

For it was He, the Creator, who had planted it. He, who set the rivers rushing, the animals scampering about, the sunlight beaming down on His newborn world. And into this garden He nestled the jewels of His creation: male and female, the children of God.

What joy they brought to His heart! What delight to His eyes. It was for them He had created all this bounty, that they might be blessed. From the beginning, His chief desire was for their good, that they would know Him and be known by Him, and all would be well.

To that end, He gave them but one command: Eat not of the tree that brings death. All the riches of My Kingdom I lay before you, save this one thing. Obey Me, and live! Live well, live abundantly. Live in the fullness of who I have made you to be — yes, even a reflection of Me. Know Me, love Me, be found in Me … and live.

All would have been well … had they listened. But the Tree of Life seemed so very ordinary — indeed, almost obscured by the crowding branches of other, more showy varieties. But that second tree, now … why, just look at all that ripe fruit! One can almost taste how good it much be. What harm, what harm … what harm, indeed? Surely God means not to hold us back from something so wonderful — knowledge, satisfaction, pleasure — ours for the taking. How can we know for sure unless we try? Right?

The fragrant air sat heavy and still that heated afternoon as all creation — save one — held its breath. What would the children of God choose? That one hissed out wicked satisfaction as his subtle lies were swallowed, the children bit, and the golden Kingdom slipped out of their grasp and fell to the dust.

All-sorrowful yet steadfast, Creator God looked upon the destruction wrought by His children’s grasping hearts. Love for them bleeding red, He dressed them carefully and led them from the garden by their sin-stained hands, giving them over to the wilderness their choice had secured. Unsought and untouched, the Tree of Life bloomed behind them, saving its fiery fruit for another season.

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Lose not sight of that blazing Tree, though it shall not appear again within the created world for many hundred years. But then at last a glimpse through swirling desert sands: a bush ablaze with holy fire, yet not consumed. Another child of God beckoned near to be transformed by this Flame, that he might confer its Life upon God’s people … and this one listens.

Go forth, Fire-breather, in the power of God, and smite the darkness choking the life from God’s children. Walk in His wonders, and make foolish the pride of the captor, who thought he could contain the might of the Mighty One.

Set free My captive children, and when those who have known only bondage shiver in sudden freedom, hear Me whisper to them on the wind:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

     I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters,

     I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, 

     they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

     you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.”

I kept My Tree before you in the wilderness — a column of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night, its branches spreading light over My holy place — yet you grew weary of the sight. The hissing lure of other voices ensnared you again and again; you grew restless in My arms and lusted after the fruit of forbidden kingdoms. Once-captive children, slaves no longer, still you bear the brand of bondage on your hearts. What must I do to set you finally free? My Kingdom come, My will be done …

I will bring forth the Tree.

Tree of Life, blazing Tree, with fire at its heart and healing in its leaves — plunge your roots into the Deep, spread your arms and bear redeeming Fruit: the fruit of Calvary.

Son of God, the Christ who walked, unspoiled, through the dust of earth; sent as Light and Living Water, sent as Living Bread, food for the starving, sin-sick children of God who recognized Him not. Bruised and crushed, He hung before them, His life poured out as oil and wine.

“Eat of My flesh, drink of My blood, and in so doing, find new life!”

Only thus will the ancient imprint of captivity be wiped clean from dark, impressionable hearts. Only in consuming Living food will death be consumed from within.

Son of God, Seed of Life, crushed into the ground by ancient foe — dead, buried, biding time until He springs up into Life eternal. Scattering seeds of resurrection in His train, He strides forth through the waiting world. In His wake, a golden Harvest bursts forth into fruit and flower, ignited by Spirit-fire into the glorious Kingdom restored!

Floods and fire and winter winds will come to test that crop, as the Father awaits the fullness for His Son’s returning. Roots must be forced deep, anchoring firm and hearty fruit within the hearts of God’s children, for only those who stand to the end will be saved.

And at that end, which is really a new Beginning, the redeemed children of God will behold a most remarkable sight:

the Tree of Life, standing from the Ancient of Days, bearing fruit that is real food and leaves for the healing of the nations, its roots stretching up from the waters of Life.

And as the Voice spoke in the first garden, so He will speak in the last:

“I am the Root and the Branch, the Bright and Morning Star. 

Come now, all who are thirsty, 

     and let all who wish take the free gift of the water of Life.

“Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good,

     and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear, and come to Me;

     listen, that you may LIVE!”