Tree of Life

 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

— Genesis 3:22

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

The tree of life in the middle of the garden wasn’t forbidden. “In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). What if Eve had eaten from the tree of life instead of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? She and Adam would have gained eternal life living in a sinless existence with God forever. Because she and Adam ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil first, and their eyes were open to evil—knowing like God both good and evil—the LORD protected them by banishing them from the garden and placing an angel to guard the way to the tree of life. Eating from the tree of life in their fallen state would have given them immortality in their rebellion.

At the end of time, when humanity has been redeemed and God has recreated a new Heaven and a new earth, look what happens: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that why may have the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14). The LORD grants humanity a second chance to eat from the tree of life. Eternal life awaits. Revelation 22:3 declares, “No longer will there be any curse.”

Lord Jesus, in You I am washed clean and You have given me new life. You have promised me eternal life. You have removed the curse of Genesis 3 and have restored God’s original plan for humanity, to live in a sinless existence with God forever. Thank You Jesus for granting me the right to the tree of life which I will eat one day when I come into Your Kingdom.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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