What is the relationship between Jesus and the Tree of Life?

The relationship between Jesus and the Tree of Life is a profound and multifaceted topic that weaves together themes of creation, redemption, and eternal life. To fully understand this relationship, we must delve into the scriptural references to the Tree of Life, explore its symbolism, and examine how these elements are fulfilled and embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Tree of Life first appears in the Book of Genesis, situated in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:9 states, "The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." The Tree of Life symbolizes God's provision and the eternal life that comes from Him. It represents an unbroken relationship with God, where humanity could live in perpetual harmony and communion with their Creator.

However, after Adam and Eve's disobedience by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were expelled from the Garden of Eden to prevent them from eating from the Tree of Life and living forever in a fallen state. Genesis 3:22-24 recounts, "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.' So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life."

This expulsion signifies a rupture in the relationship between humanity and God. The Tree of Life, once accessible, is now guarded and out of reach, symbolizing the loss of eternal life and direct communion with God due to sin.

The narrative of the Tree of Life does not end in Genesis. It reappears in the final book of the Bible, Revelation, where it is prominently featured in the vision of the New Jerusalem. Revelation 22:1-2 describes, "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." Here, the Tree of Life is restored and accessible, symbolizing the restoration of eternal life and the healing of the broken relationship between humanity and God.

The connection between Jesus and the Tree of Life is illuminated when we consider Jesus' role in God's redemptive plan. Jesus is often referred to as the second Adam, who rectifies the disobedience of the first Adam. In Romans 5:18-19, Paul writes, "Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection open the way for humanity to regain access to eternal life, which was lost through Adam's disobedience. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This statement underscores that Jesus Himself is the source of eternal life and the mediator who restores the broken relationship between humanity and God.

Moreover, Jesus' crucifixion is often symbolically linked to the Tree of Life. In Christian theology, the cross is sometimes referred to as the "tree" on which Jesus was crucified. This connection is made explicit in passages such as 1 Peter 2:24, which says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." The cross, a symbol of death and suffering, becomes the means through which eternal life is granted, thus transforming it into a new Tree of Life.

Furthermore, Jesus' promise of eternal life to those who believe in Him echoes the promise of the Tree of Life. In John 6:54, Jesus proclaims, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." This statement points to the sacrament of Communion, where believers partake in the body and blood of Christ, symbolizing their participation in the eternal life He offers.

The Book of Revelation further solidifies the connection between Jesus and the Tree of Life. In Revelation 2:7, Jesus says, "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." This promise is a direct link to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and signifies the restoration of what was lost through sin.

Additionally, the imagery of the Tree of Life in Revelation 22, with its leaves for the healing of the nations, aligns with Jesus' role as the healer and redeemer of humanity. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies about the suffering servant, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Jesus' sacrificial death brings spiritual healing and restoration, fulfilling the symbolic promise of the Tree of Life.

In summary, the relationship between Jesus and the Tree of Life is deeply rooted in the overarching narrative of the Bible. The Tree of Life in Genesis represents God's provision of eternal life and perfect communion with Him, which was lost due to sin. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus restores this lost relationship and grants access to eternal life. He is the fulfillment of the promise of the Tree of Life, offering healing, redemption, and the hope of eternal communion with God. The cross, as the new Tree of Life, becomes the symbol of this restored relationship, where death is conquered, and eternal life is made available to all who believe.