Become Like A Tree
Ancient-Future Culture and the Symbol of the Tree
The Tree is a potent symbol for Christian men in our era, embodying an aspirational ideal to strive towards.
In Scripture, the righteous man is likened to a tree (Ps. 1). A godly man, deeply rooted in the ancient earth, draws life from the legacy of those before him. His roots, firmly entrenched, render him resilient against life's frost.
Simultaneously, the godly man extends heavenward towards the infinite bringing the life of heaven back down to earth. He offers shade, bears abundant fruit, and imparts life to all who come into his presence. Bearing fruit in season, he becomes a source of healing for nations (Rev. 22).
Moreover, the tree symbolizes leadership, a motif often associated with kings.
Kings, akin to trees, served as bridges linking heaven and earth. Ideally, they brought heavenly life and order into earthly realms, nurturing those under their care with respite and fruitfulness.
The Bible employs tree imagery to depict kings and leadership. When Israel sought a ruler, the king was likened to a tree (Jud. 9:10). Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, depicting a great tree being felled, symbolized the king's downfall (Dan. 4). Jesus, prophetically named the "root of Jesse" (Isa. 11:10), embodies regal connotations.
Scripture also extends tree symbolism to God's people, united with Jesus. Gentiles embracing faith in Jesus are grafted into the tree (Rom. 11). The person who meditates on God's Law is likened to a tree (Ps. 1). Believers are also called kings and priests, destined to rule and reign with Christ (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).
Kings in the Old Testament were anointed with oil made from tree leaves and aromatic plants (1 Samuel 10, 16). This oil symbolized their role as conduits of paradise's life to their subjects — a vision of positive strength sorely needed in our world.
This tree symbol encapsulates an ideal for leadership — in our homes, churches, and culture. Particularly for Christians, meaning "anointed ones," it underscores a mandate to bring paradise's essence wherever we are.
In our time, where antiquity is often dismissed and the future appears bleak, and masculinity is written off as toxic, the Tree stands as a potent symbol to remind us of our duty as Christian men. It’s an axis mundi that helps us regain our bearings as it reminds us of what we were created for and what we’re redeemed by Christ to become.
Submit your life to Christ. Become what He created you to be by following Him and His Word. Become a tree of life who gives vitality and abundance to those in your presence rather than being a thornbush. Become a man who is rooted in the ancient past, but who towers with strength towards the infinite future of heaven.