No ignobleness here huh? Sequoia’s and giant redwoods need not apply. What is your opinion of this fine specimen? The religious channel would confirm that this is an example of a praying tree. The animal channel would define this as a Darwinian misanthrope. The all philosophy channel would argue that this is an Epicurean imposter without rhyme or reason. The all news channel would report that this is an egregious and blatant example of a coniferous imposter, because everyone knows that “wooden personalities” grow on television, not in the wild!
What could this humble image possibly be? Maybe it is … what it is.
When Jesus walked this dusty landscape people everywhere asked, “Who exactly does he think he is?” Jesus knew that arguing detail for detail wasn’t very productive. He tried honesty and reason and a common sense approach that befuddled the authorities, but seemed to resonate with the common man. The examples Jesus spoke of were for everyone, but for obvious reasons, the average person grasps his teaching. Catching fish and being a fisher-of-men. Sowing seed on different types of soil produces different results. Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Help those in need, be honest in business, lay up treasure in heaven.
Who was this person traveling from town to town preaching about the kingdom of God? Warning about the elite religious teachers. Driving merchants from the Temple. Healing all kinds of sickness and afflictions. Those who saw what Jesus did didn’t need to see his PhD certificate from divinity school. His credentials were those who were healed, those who were dying and revived, and those who were near death or dead and raised from the dead! They “were” in the grasp of death; Jesus restored them to health.
Sometimes a tree is just a tree. Sometimes a prophet is just a prophet. Sometimes someone sent from heaven is just that … Immanuel!
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV
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