tree of life

Tree of Life, Klimt 

c. 1909

[Proverbs 3:13-23]

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed.

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens;

by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, do not lose sight of these -- keep sound wisdom and discretion,

and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

[Colossians 1:9-10, 15-17, 19-20]

We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

For in Him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

[James 3:13-18]

Who is wise and understanding among you?  By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

[Revelation 22:2-4, 14, 16]

On either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each moth.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him.

They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

...

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

...

'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches.  I am the root and the descendent of David, the bright and morning star.'

[It's about Jesus]

He is Wisdom.  He is Life.  He is the Hope for us today. 

He is the Tree of Life. 

He is the Door to righteousness, to eternal life, and relationship with God.

Through Him, we can bear the good fruit of righteousness.

Through Him, we can be healed.  We can have peace.

Embrace Him.