Saved by a Tree

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
In the pretty little town of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, stood a fine old tree. For years it had been admired for its foliage, but now it showed signs of having passed through a fire.
One Sunday morning in early summer, fire broke out in a nearby house, and by sundown all that remained of the house was smoldering beams and blackened stones.
While the fire raged, a gale was blowing, and the flames menaced the house on the other side of the street. The men of the town fought gallantly to save the house, and their efforts were rewarded. However, it was evident that the big tree was really the salvation of the house across the street. Spreading its huge branches heavy with foliage between the two houses like a giant protector, it shielded the second house from flying sparks and cinders which must have proven sure destruction.
But what of the tree? Alas, it lost its glory, its beauty was gone, and whether it is alive today, we do not know. However, there were many that beautiful sunny afternoon who were thankful for the tree, for the flying embers might have set many other homes on fire in the town.
This reminds us of another tree, about which we read in the gospels. Nineteen hundred years ago, a man named Jesus was nailed to a tree on a hill called Calvary outside Jerusalem. An old hymn has put it this way:
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross, where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
The Apostle Peter tells us this in these precious words: “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Pet. 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24).
Yes, thank God for Calvary’s tree, and so say thousands. The death of that blessed Man from heaven Jesus, God’s dear Son-has brought salvation from sin and its dread penalty in the lake of fire for eternity, to hosts of perishing sinners.
“Ungodly!” And who are they? It is thus God describes all who are not born again—unsaved. Furthermore He has declared, “The way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psa. 1:66For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalm 1:6).
But He loves the sinner, and to save him from eternal ruin, He gave His only Son to the shameful death of the cross. Listen to His word, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
ML-12/04/1977