Genesis 3 

The "tree of life"

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." (Genesis 3:3 KJV)

This unusual tree, the only one in the garden that was "forbidden" them, is representative of Christ. We see in v.22 that it provided eternal life to all that partake of its fruit. Even in the garden God was teaching Adam that there is only one Savior, one God, one means of obtaining eternal life; we know that to be Jesus. Is He not a "tree of life" to all that come to Him? We see wisdom portrayed as a "tree of life" in Prov. 3:18, and the "fruit of righteousness" is a tree of life in Prov. 11:30, where soul winning is the theme. There are, in fact, many references to a "tree of life" in the Book of Proverbs alone, but whether directly, or indirectly, they all somehow refer to Jesus.

Jesus is eternal life (Jn. 14:6); He is "abundant life" (Jn. 10:10); He is as fresh as a budding tree in the spring time; He is as fruitful as the fig in its season, and as strong as the mighty oak. All we need in this life is Jesus, He is, indeed a "tree of life" to us. Let us nest in this tree; let us grow as the cedars of Lebanon in Him; let us eat of this tree, and let us lean on Him; Let us all rest under His shadow; (Psa. 91:1), as an "offshoot", a sprig, a branch that has taken root, a tree of the planting of the Lord. 

I say we can now take of the tree of life, we can freely eat of this blessed Tree, because the curse is lifted, the ground no longer cursed. The ground was cursed for Adam, to bear "thorns and thistles", but Jesus took a crown of thorns to Calvary, and nailed them to the cross! We now have free access to the Father through the Son. He became a curse, and paid the price, and redeemed the ground for man’s sake.

Marty Dunn

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