The Lord God caused every beautiful tree and every tree that was good for food to grow out of the ground.

Genesis 2:9 (NCV)

It wasn’t because of that tree: the one in God’s perfect garden, the forbidden one He placed right in the middle, where the serpent circled, where truth was twisted and God’s words were questioned.

It wasn’t because of that tree: the one with desired fruit Eve shared with Adam. It wasn’t because of that tree that we live with pain, heartache, and brokenness, or that we strive for perfection, recognition, and useless worldly things. 

It was because of SIN. It was because of the enemy. It was because of Eve and Adam. It was a choice. It was disobedience, and the result was death.

It wasn’t because of that tree: the one shouting crowds demanded, the one meant for a criminal that our Lord was sentenced to endure, the one He carried through streets with thorns piercing, blood dripping, flesh tearing. 

It wasn’t because of that tree: the one that held the Lamb of God with nails through His hands and His feet, the one where our debts were paid, where death was conquered, the one that would never be forgotten. 

It was because of JESUS. It was His life poured out. It was humility. It was obedience. It was a sacrifice freely given and prophecy fulfilled. It was because of LOVE, and the result is LIFE! 

You are deeply loved!