HAVE you ever heard of sending a get-well card to a tree? Well, it really happened! Last year an old oak tree in Austin, Texas, was poisoned, and some people felt so bad about the “sick” tree that they went to visit the tree and left get-well cards!
People in Austin felt especially sorry about the tree because it was 600 years old. According to history, the city’s founder, Stephen Austin, had once signed a treaty under its branches with the Indians who lived in that area. Since that time the tree has been called “Treaty Oak.” Last year when someone poured poison on the ground around the tree, its leaves began to turn brown and drop off. Someone phoned the city officials and told them that Treaty Oak “looked sick.”
This phone call set off an alarm. As soon as it was discovered that the ground had been poisoned, 15 city employees were put to work to try to save the tree. They sprayed the leaves with fresh spring water and then dug out the poisoned soil in a 30-foot circle around the tree and replaced it with new soil. Then they gave it antitoxins and even put up large screens to protect Treaty Oak from the hot Texas sun.
What a lot of work to help a sick tree! But do you know that the Lord Jesus has done much more than this for you? He wants not just to “help” you, but to save you. If you have never received the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, then you are “sick” like the tree. The poison that has made you sick is sin. The Bible says, “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying [rotting] sores.” Isaiah 1:5,65Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. (Isaiah 1:5‑6).
The Lord Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. He came purposely to save us. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15). The men in Austin could only hope that they could save the tree, but we can know for sure that we are saved. The Lord Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath [not just hopes he has!] everlasting life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). Another verse says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13).
Get-well cards were not the only thing that the people of Austin took to Treaty Oak. Some took flowers and some went just to “visit” the tree. Someone even left a can of chicken soup! Maybe all that attention for a sick tree seems silly to you. I think it shows that they really wanted to see their 600-year-old oak tree live. But what about those people who care so much about saving a tree and think nothing at all about their “sick” soul? Which is more important? A treeor your own soul that will live forever?
Now, all but one-third of Treaty Oak is dead. The city of Austin says they will have to cut down all the dead wood in the tree or it will fall and hurt the people who come to see it. It is sad to think that the beautiful old oak tree is now almost dead, but it is even more sad to think of precious boys and girls who have not come to Jesus for salvation. When a tree dies, that’s the end of it. But when a boy or girl dies, his or her soul will live on forever in either heaven or hell.
When you think of Treaty Oak, remember that your soul is worth much more than a tree-it’s worth much more than all the world! “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36,3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37). All the “medicine” for the sick tree didn’t work very well, but the “medicine” for a soul sick with sin is a perfect cure. It is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
ML-06/09/1991