Acorns and Oak Trees

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. – Ecclesiastes 3:2 NLT

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. … “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. – John 12:24, 27 NIV

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” – John 18:4 NIV

One of the highlights of our daily walkabouts with Cosmos the Wonderdog is passing underneath a huge oak tree along the trail. I don’t know how old this tree is, but I think it is safe to say it was hundreds of years ago that a single acorn (oak seed) sprouted and took root, producing this massive tree.

When I look up into the tree, my mind goes back to my years living in Africa. I can picture various species of monkeys scampering among the large branches, chattering and capering back and forth in seemingly perpetual motion.

As you can see from the inset picture, the acorn between my fingers is tiny compared to what can happen when it grows into a mature tree. Over the years we have seen hundreds, if not thousands of these oak seeds on the ground beneath this tree. We have also seen the results when some of these acorns sprout into miniature oaks, appearing quite healthy and robust under the shadow of the giant tree.

The Bible speaks a lot about planting and watering, and growing and harvesting. There is indeed a time for everything the Lord has created. The above passage from the gospel of John records the very words of Jesus shortly before He willingly gave Himself up to die for the sins of the world. He knew He had to suffer and die so that all who would trust in Him could live.

Although I at least partially understand what He did, I still have difficulty getting my heart around the why. Why would He ever want to do something like that for someone like me? He knew every single thing He’d have to suffer, and He knew every wrong thing I’d ever do, yet He sacrificed Himself for me anyway.

Words fail at this point.

If you don’t know how God made a way for you to get right with Him through His Son Jesus, I encourage you to see Got God?

Hope you have a great day.