THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 223

Redemption in this case was not a prearranged agreement between God and Satan. From the scriptures, we learn that Satan, a long time ago had been cast out of Heaven. In the aftermath, this plan of redemption is the wisdom of God made manifest of which the devil was totally unaware of. God who knows all things introduced a plan whereby man could be totally redeemed without any outstanding IOU's.

Further, by one man’s disobedience which is sin, man received the penalty of death and expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Most obvious was Adam and Eve's separation from fellowship with God. One man's disobedience could have left the human race isolated and in the wilderness forever.

But instead God who is altogether righteous counselled with Himself that the price of redemption would necessitate that one righteous man’s obedience would suffice. Not so. For one man’s disobedience invoked the death penalty - the soul that sins, shall die.

Therefore, to completely pay for redemption would require death and in this case, the death of a righteous man. Not only was death necessitated, but to eradicate all sin that had been demonstrated resulting from Adam’s disobedience, that sin must also be dealt with.

It is within this context that we can return the discussion to the Tree of Life. God had a word shielding the way to the Tree of Life, for if anyone were to partake in their fallen, disobedient condition they would have lived in that condition forever.

However, when the sword is removed, what do we see? We see only the remains of the shell of a man hanging on a dead tree, marred beyond recognition. There were holes in His hands and in His feet. His side was pierced with a sword. His back bore the marks of 39 whip stripes and His beard was pulled out from His face. His naked body was crowned with a crown of thorns and over his Head was a sign written in three languages -- Greek, Hebrew and Latin -- inscribed with the words JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS.

Now comes the million dollar question. Do you want to eat of this TREE OF LIFE? Unlike the analogy that usually comes to mind when we think of the Garden of Eden, there was not any fruit in appearance, nor were there branches. In actuality, this man died alone. In fact, the sight was repulsive. Or, as the scriptures state, “And when we did see him there was no beauty that we should desire Him!”

The shell of JESUS' body on that barren tree was the Tree of Life. What is displayed thereon is the Love of God bearing in His own body our sin. As it states in the scriptures, "Greater love has no man than this ..."

GOD SACRIFICED HIMSELF AS A SON! He did so in order that we who were originally created in His own image could be redeemed back to where Adam was before the deceptive fall of disobedience.

Further, in this moment, God made a way for the whosoever who looks at the Lamb of God hanging from a cross and reaches out -- arising out of Satan’s grasp. For God has made it possible that man can be redeemed! Return to me, He calls, for I have redeemed you.

God stands at your heart door and knocks! Ask Jesus, God as a lamb, into your life today. Right now. It is your choice. There is no REDEMPTION to be found in any other. Listen to your Heart. Be redeemed and then let Jesus lead you/us on to eternal life.