The Garden Of Two Trees | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
The Garden Of Two Trees | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
The Tree of Life and the Cross: How Eden Foreshadows Redemption Through the Messiah
When we reflect on the redemption brought by the Messiah, we begin to see powerful echoes of Eden woven throughout His story. All sin began in the Garden of Eden—and it also ends with the Messiah. The imagery of the tree is no coincidence. Just as the tree in Eden stretched out and impacted all humanity, so too does the cross—a tree in itself—extend its branches to every soul.
We are all born under the shadow of that first tree. The fall in Eden marked the beginning of our knowledge of good and evil, and since then, we have carried that awareness through guilt, shame, anger, and sin. But the cross—though it resembles the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—offers something profoundly different. When we come to the cross, we discover that it is actually the Tree of Life in disguise, a divine reversal that offers rebirth and eternal life.
A Choice Between Two Trees
Life ultimately comes down to a choice between two trees. The first is the tree that appeals to the flesh—it promises power, pleasure, and self-exaltation. But it leads to spiritual death. The second tree—the cross—calls us to surrender. It doesn’t appeal to worldly desires, but it leads to eternal life, joy, and abundance.
Through Messiah’s sacrifice, the cross becomes the very Tree of Life, offering not just forgiveness but a new beginning. It restores what was lost in Eden and brings light to where there once was darkness.
God’s Wonders Are Endless
This divine design reminds us of the awesome nature of God. His wisdom is infinite. Every page of the Bible reveals hidden connections and profound truths. Just when you think you understand it, God unveils another layer. He speaks through symbols, shadows, and fulfillment—without fanfare or explanation—yet it’s all there for those who seek Him.
What kind of God responds to human sin by offering love? We curse Him, and He blesses us. We give Him death, and He gives us life. We offer Him our sins, and He gives us His righteousness. We hand Him hell, and He offers us heaven. This is the overwhelming love of God made visible at the cross.
The Cross Turns the World Upside Down
The way of the world tells us to seek pleasure, self-gratification, and control. But the message of the cross turns that upside down. What looks like loss becomes gain. What seems like weakness becomes strength. Self-control leads to joy. Surrender leads to blessing. Temptation denied results in a deeper peace. The more we align with God, the more abundance and joy we find.
The Garden and the Cross
In Eden, the tree stood in the center of the garden. Likewise, the cross stood at the center of a garden—John tells us that the place of Jesus’ crucifixion was near a garden. That’s why the tomb is often called the garden tomb. Just as Eden began in a garden with a tree, so redemption was fulfilled in a garden with another tree—the cross.
The Cross Must Be the Center
Just as the tree in Eden was in the center, the cross must be at the center of our faith. It’s not about prosperity, doctrine, or religious movements. Those may have value, but they are not the core. The cross is the center of our faith, the center of human history, and the center of salvation. It’s not about faith in faith—it’s about faith in Him, in what He did on that tree.
