Gospel Reading

Click here for today's chronological reading of the Gospels. 

• Matthew 27:57-28:15
• Mark 15:42-16:13
• Luke 23:50-24:32
• John 19:31-20:18

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When Crosses Become Trees

“Mommy, what was the cross in the Bible? ... Okay, but like, what did it mean?” She asked with the genuine curiosity of a child, just two weeks ago, right before we collectively embarked on our Gospel readings of Jesus’ journey from the Garden to the Cross, or shall we say, the Tree?

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Dear Daughter, 

In literal terms, the ancient Roman cross was wooden beams cut off from their source, reworked into an instrument of judgment, pain, and death. For many, it goes hand in hand with shame, sin, and suffering — a reminder of humanity’s curse — but for those of us in Christ, sweet child, the Cross also points to redemption, salvation, victory, a choice, and a pathway. Back to our source, back to our Creator; a pathway that started in a garden.

The Bible story is rich with imagery of garden encounters. The original Eden was a garden radiant with God’s presence and blessing, abundant life and diversity, partnership and love. Gethsemane was a garden of testing and weakness, struggle and prayer, fear and submission. Both were set upon or near a mountain, rich with trees that bore perennial, life-sustaining fruit, reflecting God’s continuous provision.

“Trees in High Places” is a theme that Bible scholar, Tim Mackie, has recently explored. He strings together the Bible’s many stories surrounding humans and trees — stories that have forever altered the state of humanity. In Genesis 8, Noah’s tree takes the form of a wooden ark: a boat he constructed out of diligent obedience to God, participating in His plan to preserve a remnant of creation. When the floodwaters subside, Noah finds his ark upon a hill, builds an altar, and makes a sacrifice so pleasing to God that it intercedes for humanity. God promises, “Never again.” In Genesis 22, we see Abraham walking through a test towards a deeper understanding of a God unlike any other. In a vivid scene, we witness a loving father trekking up a mountain, leading his beloved son who carries the wood that would become the altar on which to sacrifice his life. Seeing Abraham’s faith, God shows up as a merciful provider, stops Abraham, provides a ram for the sacrifice, then blesses Abraham and his descendants as blessings to all the nations.

What a beautiful foreshadowing of the One who was to come: the One who — after the rise and fall of generations of leaders and kings who would advance God’s story, but ultimately fall to sin — would emerge, calling Himself The Tree of Life and us His branches. The One who would walk through cities, stand firm in the wilderness, kneel in gardens, stagger up a mountaintop, and even die to self to create a footpath for us back to the One who is our Tree at the center of Eden. Brothers and sisters, may we believe in a God who still turns curses into blessings!

That, my daughter, was the Cross in the Bible.

 

- Written by Jasmine Chestnut, NCC Groups Director (Potomac Yard Campus)

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Daily Practice and Reflection

Spend some time today in self-reflection with open ears. In what ways are you holding fast to your own intellect, understanding, resources, or abilities?

 

What pain and suffering might exist in your life and in the world due to us choosing our own trees of knowledge?

 

Ask the Spirit to reveal to you opportunities to choose the Tree of Life – obedience and trust in God’s character, word, promise, and plan.

 

What shame or fear is keeping you from choosing the Tree of Life? Spend some time with God, asking, and listening …