Tree of Life – Shadows of the Cross – Shantha Kumari Mondithoka

In the Christian tradition, the Lenten season is a time of profound spiritual significance. During this sacred period, believers are called to reflect deeply on the journey to the Cross, guided by the illumination of God’s Word. The scriptural passages highlighted in this devotion are Genesis 2:8-9 and 3:22-24 from the Old Testament and John 1:14-18, and Galatians 3:13-14 from the New Testament.

The Genesis account of the Garden of Eden (2:8-9) establishes the centrality of the Tree of Life, a symbol of the divine presence and the promise of eternal life. Yet, after the sin of Adam and Eve, this tree was guarded by cherubim and a flaming sword, signifying the separation between humankind and the fullness of God’s grace. This separation, however, was not to be permanent, as the Apostle Paul reveals in Galatians 3:13-14, where he proclaims that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, restoring the blessings of Abraham to all who believe. In a similar vein, John 1:14-18 records that when the fullness of time had come, Christ Jesus came into this world. Here, the Word that was there from the beginning became human. Instead of sovereignty, He chose servanthood, and through His death, we are redeemed.

 The Shadow of Death

The image of the Shadow of the Cross, as depicted in William Holman Hunt’s painting, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for this redemptive work of Christ.

William Holman Hunt, an eminent figure in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to imbue his religious paintings with profound symbolic meaning. One of his most celebrated works, “The Shadow of Death,” exemplifies this talent, as it presents a powerful and thought-provoking depiction of Jesus Christ amid his carpentry work, with the shadow of his outstretched arms foretelling the crucifixion that would later define his earthly ministry.

This painting is accurate both historically and theologically. Interestingly, the wood He often used in His workshop was eventually used in His crucifixion.

The use of wood, a material commonly associated with Christ’s carpentry work, in His crucifixion has long been a subject of contemplation and interpretation within Christian theology. The notion that the very wood He handled in His everyday life would ultimately be used to facilitate His death on the cross has been seen as a poignant symbol of the interconnectedness of Christ’s life and His sacrifice.

 Shadow of the Cross in the Old Testament

The assertion made by St. Augustine, that “the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed,” holds profound significance when examining the presence of the Cross in the Old Testament. While the prophets of the Old Testament did indeed prophesy about the birth of Jesus, the sacred and powerful symbol of the Cross is not as explicitly mentioned across the Old Testament. However, a deeper examination reveals the presence of prophetic shadows and typological foreshadowing of the crucifixion throughout the Old Testament.

The death of Jesus on the Cross is the pivotal event that defines the Christian faith, as it represents the ultimate sacrifice that paved the way for the redemption of humanity. The Old Testament serves as a prelude to this momentous event, gradually preparing the world for the coming of the Messiah and His ultimate mission of salvation.

In the New Testament, the accounts of Jesus’ ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection demonstrate the fulfillment of the promises made in the Old Testament. The New Testament writers make numerous references to the Old Testament prophecies and how they were realized in the life and death of Jesus Christ. The Messianic hope, which is woven throughout the Old Testament, finds its culmination in the Cross, where Jesus’ sacrificial death atones for the sins of humanity.

The road to Emmaus’s encounter, as described in Luke 24:27, provides a profound insight into the way Jesus Christ revealed the Old Testament’s extensive and intricate foreshadowing of His life, ministry, and, most significantly, His suffering, death, and resurrection. From the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, to the Prophetic writings, the Savior’s coming, His purpose, and the central importance of the Cross were meticulously woven throughout the Scriptures.

The Messianic hope, deeply rooted in the Old Testament, was a central theme that Jesus expounded upon with the disciples. His intimate knowledge of the Old Testament and His ability to interpret its passages with keen insight and insight allowed Him to unveil the profound connections between the ancient prophecies and their ultimate fulfillment in His own life and work. The disciples, who had witnessed the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection, needed this divinely orchestrated explanation to fully comprehend the significance of what had transpired, and how it was all part of God’s eternal plan of redemption

A Bible scholar mentioned that from the Garden of Eden to Mount Golgotha, there are many marks of the Cross underlying Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice so that the world is prepared to receive Him. All such marks are the shadows of the Cross. A man of God once quoted that the Bible is a book smeared with blood, which is true, especially when you see the rituals mentioned in Leviticus.

The Bible employs a rich tapestry of literary devices to illuminate spiritual truths. These include vivid images, metaphors, symbolic objects, and captivating stories like parables and historical incidents. Within the Old Testament, we encounter foreshadowing of the coming Messiah and the significance of the Cross woven into the narratives of specific people and events. This foreshadowing is particularly evident in Genesis, where numerous references point to Christ’s sacrificial death, a pattern that continues through Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the prophetic books. Remarkably, Genesis, the very first book of the Bible, holds the most prominent examples of these Christological foreshadows.

For example –

– When the LORD God says to the serpent that He will put enmity between his seed and the woman’s seed and that his head would be bruised, it points to Jesus’ birth and death on the Cross to destroy the works of the wicked one.

– Later, when the LORD God made garments of skin, the first sacrifice took place, and here we see the shadow of the Cross.

– In Abel’s sacrifice – the offering of the Lamb, we see again the shadow of the Cross.

– A more prominent reference to the Cross is seen in Genesis 22 when Abraham prepares to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah. Through Isaac’s life, his act of carrying the wood, and his willingness to be offered as a sacrifice, we see the shadow of the Cross.

Shadows of Cross in Garden of Eden.

While the above few incidents are vivid, however, few require more attention to detail to understand the shadows of Cross. In the first three chapters of Genesis, the following is a foretelling of the Cross:

– The Tree of Life

– The Tree of Knowledge and Wisdom.

– Ground produces thorns and thistles.

The Bible’s grand narrative, spanning from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, is marked by a profound symbolism that weaves its way through the Scriptures. Indeed, as the prompt notes, the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in Genesis are echoed in the final chapters of Revelation, where the Tree of Life once again features prominently

We are all familiar with the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. However, today, I want to draw your attention to the Tree of Calvary (Galatians 3: 13-14) that God planted on Mount Golgotha. This tree, mentioned in Galatians 3:13-14, is a profound symbol of redemption, a testament to the sacrificial love of God and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

The Tree of Calvary, often referred to as the Cross, stands as a stark reminder of the immense price that was paid for our salvation. It was on this tree that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice, taking upon Himself the weight of our sins and the punishment we deserved.

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life in the middle of the Garden of Eden in the biblical narrative serves as a powerful symbol that underscores the fundamental truth that God is the origin of all life and existence. This tree highlights the centrality of Adam and Eve’s continual dependence on their Creator, and how being independent from Him can accomplish nothing. They were entirely reliant on God for everything, including the sustenance and eternal life symbolized by the Tree of Life.

Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

According to faith, the universe is the creation of a supreme being. Mankind, in the form of man and woman, was considered the pinnacle of this creation. However, Eve’s disobedience, where she ate the forbidden fruit and shared it with her husband, led to the fall of humanity and the introduction of sin and death into the world.

After this transgression, God placed cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the Tree of Life. This act of barring them from the tree and expelling them from the Garden can be interpreted as an expression of God’s love and grace. By separating them from the Tree of Life, humanity was prevented from living forever in a state of sin.

Tree of Calvary

A common misconception is that the Tree of Life disappears after Genesis, only to reappear in Revelation. However, I propose a different perspective. Look at the Tree of Life this way: in the fullness of time, the Word of God took on flesh (John 1:14), becoming full of grace and truth. He dwelt among us, not in a hidden garden, but in the open world.

The cross on Calvary, as described in Galatians 3:14-15, becomes the revelation of the Tree of Life hidden in Genesis. It’s no longer a physical fruit to be eaten, but a sacrifice that offers eternal life.

In the New Testament, the Cross is referred to as a tree four times in the following verses:

· Acts 5:30

· Acts 10:39

· Acts 13:29

· I Peter 2:24

The concept of the “Tree of Life” has long been a central motif in Judeo-Christian theology, with its roots firmly embedded in the Old Testament narrative. The idea that this “Tree of Life” is intrinsically linked to the “Tree of Calvary” on which Jesus Christ was crucified is an intriguing proposition that warrants closer examination.

The Old Testament statement that “anyone hung on a pole (or Tree) is under God’s curse” (Deuteronomy 21:23) sets the theological stage for this exploration. This pronouncement from the book of Deuteronomy underscores the profound significance of the method of Jesus’ execution, namely crucifixion, which was a profoundly shameful and cursed form of death in the ancient world. However, a deeper word study reveals that the “Tree of Life” and the “Tree of Calvary” are inextricably woven together, both symbolically and theologically.

In Greek, in all the above verses, it is called XyloutesZoes. It is interesting to note that the Tree of Life is also called XulonZoes. In Greek, dendron is another word used for living wood. However, when the Tree of Life is mentioned in the New Testament, the Word used is xulon and not dendron.

The Paradox of the Dead Tree of Life

The phrase “the dead Tree of Life” may seem paradoxical at first glance, as it juxtaposes the concepts of death and life, which are often considered to be diametrically opposed. However, when we examine the biblical narrative, we find that this apparent contradiction is not only reconcilable but also profoundly meaningful.

In the book of Acts, Apostle Peter proclaims that the people “killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead”. This statement underscores the central role of Jesus Christ, who is both the source of life and the one who experienced death on our behalf. The “dead Tree of Life” is a reference to Christ Himself, who died on the cross but was raised again, thereby offering us the fullness of life.

As Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is the author, the originator, and the very source of life, and it is only through His death and resurrection that we can access the abundant life that He promises.

This paradox of the “dead Tree of Life” is a powerful theological concept that speaks to the heart of the Christian faith. It reminds us that even in the face of death, there is the promise of new life, and that the very thing that seems to be the antithesis of life – the Cross – becomes the means by which we are granted eternal life

The Bread of Life: A Theological Examination

Jesus is not just the originator of life, but also the sustenance for it. He is called the Bread of Life. The children of Israel were sustained by manna from heaven, yet they eventually died. Here, John emphasizes the difference. Jesus is the eternal Bread of God, who descends from heaven and offers life to the world (John 6:32).

John further clarifies in John 6:53 that partaking in Jesus, symbolically referred to as eating his flesh and drinking his blood, is essential for attaining true life. Through his sacrifice, we are given the opportunity to move from spiritual darkness into God’s glorious light and experience eternal life.

Conclusion

The Tree of Life, once out of reach after humanity’s fall, is revealed in the fullness of time through Jesus Christ. Embodying grace and truth, He bore the burden of humanity’s sin and willingly sacrificed himself on the Cross. This resonates with Jesus’ words in Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” declares the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”