The Mystery Tree and the Cross of Messiah | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
The Mystery Tree and the Cross of Messiah | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
In the Garden of Eden, humanity’s fall began with a tree—a tree that would come to symbolize disobedience and separation from God. To redeem humanity, another tree had to play a pivotal role, one that would answer the tree of Eden. This redemptive tree is the Cross.
Notice the profound parallels: The fall of humanity started with eating, and redemption begins with a meal—the Last Supper. At this supper, Jesus partakes of a cup filled with the fruit of the vine. In Eden, Adam consumed fruit that brought spiritual death; at the Last Supper, Jesus drinks crushed fruit, symbolizing the suffering He would endure. Adam’s act brought death, while Jesus’ act of drinking the cup foreshadowed His submission to the Father’s will and His journey to bring life.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles with the weight of the Cross, praying, “Take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but Yours be done.” His acceptance of the cup contrasts with Adam’s choice to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam chose what was pleasing to the eye, but Jesus chose what was bitter, saying “yes” to suffering and death to undo humanity’s fall.
At the time of the fall, Adam and Eve were naked but became clothed after sinning. In redemption, the process is reversed: Jesus, clothed at the beginning, is stripped naked at His crucifixion, bearing our shame and sin. Through His sacrifice, we are spiritually clothed in righteousness.
The Tree as the Center of Redemption
The tree of the Cross answers the tree of Eden. In Hebrew, the word etz means both “tree” and “wood.” The Cross, described as a “tree” in the New Testament, is the instrument of life despite being an object of death. In Eden, humanity died spiritually through a living tree; through the dead tree of the Cross, we receive eternal life.
The tree in Eden was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, where good and evil converged. On the Cross, the ultimate convergence of good and evil occurs. The Cross embodies humanity’s sin, judgment, and the murder of the Son of God—the epitome of evil. Yet, it simultaneously represents God’s ultimate act of love and redemption, the greatest good. Thus, the Cross becomes the Tree of Good and Evil, where love triumphs over sin and death.
The Serpent, the Tree, and Redemption
In Eden, the serpent led Adam and Eve to the tree, resulting in their spiritual death. At the Cross, the serpent (representing evil) plays a role in bringing Jesus to the tree. Judas, influenced by Satan, betrays Jesus, leading to His crucifixion. Yet, even in this act of evil, God remains sovereign.
In Eden, humanity partook of the tree’s fruit, joining themselves to it and reaping its consequences—death. The Cross, a dead tree bearing no physical fruit, yields the ultimate fruit: salvation. Jesus partook of death, the fruit of the Cross, to bring life to all who believe in Him.
The Mystery of Redemption and the Role of the Woman
In Eden, the fall began with the woman, Eve. This detail highlights the interconnectedness of humanity. If Eve had fallen but Adam had not, their union would have been broken. Redemption, however, involves both men and women, as Jesus’ sacrifice restores what was lost.
The story of Eden and the Cross reveals the intricate tapestry of God’s redemptive plan. Through the Cross, God undoes the fall, transforming death into life, shame into glory, and separation into reconciliation. This profound mystery continues to inspire faith and awe, inviting believers to reflect on the depth of God’s love and the power of His salvation.
Praise the Lord, for through the Cross, we have life everlasting!
