Zacchaeus and the sycamore-fig tree

In Luke 19:1-10, we read an account of a man named Zacchaeus, who was a wealthy chief tax collector. As was common for tax collectors in those days (Luke 3:13), Zacchaeus might have gotten wealthy by collecting more taxes than required and keeping a portion for himself. One day he heard that Jesus was coming to his town, Jericho. He had heard about Jesus previously and was curious to see him. So he went out to see Him. Being a short man, however, he could not see Jesus in the middle of a crowd. Zacchaeus ran down the road where Jesus was walking and climbed up a sycamore-fig tree to gain a vantage point. Jesus had another plan that was far more generous than any that Zacchaeus could have imagined. Jesus walked up to the tree where Zacchaeus was on and told him, “Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Salvation came to Zacchaeus’ house that day and he was reclaimed as a son of Abraham.

Sycamore-fig trees were common in the foothills of Israel (I Kings 10:27). The trunk was knotted and had low-lying branches, perhaps making it easy to climb the tree. The sycamore-fig tree was an attempt of a short man to complement his shortcomings in height. 'What better solution to gain height than to climb a tree?,' he might have thought. This is reminiscent of Adam and Eve's solution to their shame after eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves (Genesis 3:7). If shameful, cover it up. If short, go upon something. These are all man's solutions to his problems.

When Jesus came to Zacchaeus, He told him to come down immediately. Zacchaeus' problem was not his short stature, but rather the problem was in not knowing that Jesus values a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Jesus demanded for him to come down and humble himself. Zacchaeus' idea to see Jesus was to go up on a tree to gain a vantage point; Jesus' solution for Zacchaeus to meet Him was for him to lower and present himself as he was. Man cannot ever elevate himself enough to reach God. That is why God came down in flesh to reveal Himself to mankind.

With that demand to come down from the sycamore-fig tree, Jesus also offered an invitation that "I must stay at your house today." Jesus was coming to Zacchaeus as Immanuel, as God dwelling with man (Matthew 1:23).

Lord, come and cleanse me. Fill me with your presence, with your Holy Spirit, so that I may indeed be Your likeness and serve as Your revelation. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Hung on a tree

December is a month of celebration. Virtually in every home, at every store, and in every church, there is a Christmas tree to brighten the air and uplift the hearts of men, women, and children. Hanging on the tree are many ornaments. Canes symbolizing the letter J for Jesus, stars standing for the Star of Bethlehem, and angels to remind us of the angelic host who sang "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." And, of course, lights and lots of them, since Jesus shone light on the dark world, bringing a message of love, hope and redemption.

But not long ago, to be hung on a tree did not mean celebration or decoration. A man guilty of a capital offense was hung on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:22). A man thus hung was considered to be under God's curse (Deuteronomy 21:23). As Joshua conquered Canaan, he hung enemy kings on trees to show what became of the enemies of Israel (Joshua 8:29, 10:26). Even in the days of the Romans, to crucify a man on a tree was reserved for the worst offender.

Yet, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). He did not pass the cup of the cross (Matthew 26:39, 42), but obediently accepted it (Philippians 2:8) and endured it, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2). By shedding his blood on the cross, Jesus made peace and reconciled us to God (Colossians 1:20). The message of the cross is indeed the power of God that saves us (I Corinthians 1:18). How appropriate is it for Paul to say that he would never boast in anything, except in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14).

Because of Christ, we can celebrate a Christmas tree and hang ornaments on the tree in celebration and decoration. In Christ, a curse became a blessing. In Christ, an object of scorn and shame became an object of boasting and adoration. In Christ, a sinner like me became a new creation, a child of God. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

Thorns

In Genesis 3, we read that because of man's disobedience, the ground was cursed to pruduce thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18). Since then, thorns have come to symbolize the worries of life as well as the temptations of the riches and pleasures of this life. The Canaanites that the Israelites did not drive out became like thorns in their sides or in their eyes (Numbers 33:55, Joshua 23:13). In the parable of the sower, Jesus talked of the seed that fell among the thorns. The thorns were compared to the worries of this life and the "deceitfulness of wealth" (Matthew 13:22).

Do I have thorns in my life? Something that I should have gotten rid of, but did not and is now preventing me from a fruitful life. Something that a "sluggard" or a lazy bum would keep around him (Proverbs 24:30,31).

Earlier today, I had a visit with an old friend, who has been a successful endocrinologist both as a clinician and as an academician. He gave it all up, so that he can be closer with the Lord and devote his life to a ministry serving the underprivileged of the inner city. He and his coworkers established a Living Water Ministry house in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Cincinnati where drug trafficking and murders have happened. He himself leads a simple life and gives himself in ministry to the poor, just as Jesus would have done or wanted him to do.

What thorns prevent me from a fruitful life? Am I not deceived by the "deceitfulness" of wealth? Wealth is fleeting. It should not be an end unto itself. My end, my purpose must be to glorify the Lord and enjoy His presence.

"O, Lord. Open my eyes and let me see. Let me see the true glory of Your Presence. Let me appreciate what is truly worthy and what is not. Let me live a life worthy of being called Your child. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Blessed are ...

Matthew chapters 5 ~ 7 are the famous Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon starts with the 8 beatitudes, which are declarations of who the blessed are.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

These beatitudes certainly describe the blessed. But I think they describe the blessed people as they grow to the likeness and fullness of Jesus (Ephesians 4:13), since Jesus himself is the prototype of the blessed. Jesus came down from Heaven, humbly taking on the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He suffered on the cross for his people, but were victorious in the end. He is gentle and humble as well as merciful. No one is purer than him and, as the Son of God, he reconciled us to God and made peace, so that we can partake in the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

When we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, we will likewise be blessed. We will be poor in spirit, meek, humble, pure, peace-making, and persecuted because of righteousness, but will inherit the kingdom of heaven as children of God.

Fruit of a blessed man

In Psalm 1, the blessed man is compared to a tree planted by the streams of water and yielding its fruit in its season. The leaves of the tree do not wither. Everything the man does prospers.

Since the streams of living water refer to the Holy Spirit (John 7:38,39), it is no stretch to say that the fruit that the blessed man bears is the fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 -- namely, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

What is love? Love is meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters. When someone is hungry, the right act of love is to feed him. When someone is thirsty, to love is to provide a drink. How do we then love God, who has everything and lacks none? Jesus said that whatever you do to the least of the brothers is the same as doing it to Him (Matthew 25:40). We show our love of God, by obeying His command to love our neighbors, our brothers and sisters and providing for them.

What is joy? I think joy comes from experiencing the presence of the Lord and witnessing His wonderful works. Joy leads to praises, singing, and shouting to proclaim how great our God is and how wonderful His works are.

What is peace? Peace comes from restoration of the relationship between God and us. We were estranged by our sin, but have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-11). Peace with other men and women is also possible, when they are likewise reconciled with God. God's children are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and must act as agents of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18,19).

What is patience? Patience is long-suffering, when one is wronged unjustly. Instead of thinking of revenge, we must acknowledge that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19). I think of David's patience with Shimei, who cursed him on the day he was fleeing from his son Absalom. David said, "It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the curse I am receiving today." (II Samuel 16:12)

What is kindness? Kindness is the next step after patience, when one is wronged unjustly. Kindness is also translated as mercy. Kindness involves forgiveness. We have been beneficiaries of God's immeasurable love and forgiveness. It is only right that we should also be forgiving to our fellow men.

What is goodness? Goodness takes one step further after kindness. We are not only forgiving, but also actively seeking to do a good deed for our fellow men. Our good deeds must shine before men, so that they may see the good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

What is faithfulness? Faithfulness is to persist in goodness. It is not good enough to do a good deed once, and then revert to our sinful nature. We must continue to abide in the word of the Lord. Moses was a faithful servant, while Jesus is a faithful Son in the house of the Lord (Hebrews 3:5,6).

What is gentleness? Jesus said that He is gentle and humble (Matthew 11:29). Jesus is so gentle that "a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory" (Matthew 12:20, Isaiah 42:3). He deals with us, as if we are a bruised reed and a smoldering wick, a little infant that can be harmed so easily. We need to take the same gentle care, in our dealings with our fellow brothers, especially those who are weaker than we. Paul admonishes us to "accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). Paul would willingly curtail his own freedom, so that the weak in faith would not stumble (I Corinthians 8:9-13).

What is self-control? Being gentle with those who are weak(er) in faith does not imply that we should act with indulgence. Even though we have been made righteous undeservingly, independent of any good deeds we performed, this does not mean that we can go on sinning as it pleases us. Romans 6 clearly states that we died to sin. We need to confront sin and fight it, relying not on our own might, but on Him who has already achieved victory -- our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, I pray that you will fill me with the character of the Holy Spirit, so that I may bear the fruit of the Spirit each day. I want to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

5 Common Medicinal Uses of Cedar Oil

This information is taken from the following website:

http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/14230.aspx


Cedar oil has found some common folk uses. It is NOT to be ingested or taken by mouth, but the oil may be added to bath tub water or mixed with a carrier oil to be applied to the skin. Some uses of cedar oil include:

1. as an insect repellant

2. as a sedative or relaxant

3. for certain conditions like dandruff and acne

4. to help relieve respiratory congestion or soothe coughing

5. as a body detoxifier

Caution should be exercised, however, in pregnancy or during lactation. Because of its sedative properties, it should not be used before operating a heavy machinery or driving. You should always consult your physician or care provider, before embarking on using this oil.

The Tree of Life

In Genesis 3, we read about Adam and Eve eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and then being expelled from the Garden of Eden. In the same garden there was another very important tree, the tree of life. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man could not be allowed to take also from the tree of life. So the Lord God banished man from the garden and placed on the east side of the garden "cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:24).

A mention of the tree of life then appears in the Revelations (chapters 2 and 22):

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Revelations 2:7)

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." (Revelations 22:1-2)

In the city of New Jerusalem in heaven, there is the tree of life, yielding its fruit every month and the leaves good for the healing of the nations and standing on each side of the river.

This imagery is strikingly similar to that of Ezekiel 47:1-12, where on both sides of the river from the temple, there are trees bearing fruit good for food and leaves good for healing, as well as Psalm 1:3, where the blessed man is compared to a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither.

I think the tree of life symbolizes Jesus Christ, who declared "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener" (John 15:1), while the streams, the river, and the living water all symbolize the Holy Spirit (John 7:38, 39). Our relationship with Jesus is described not only as one in which Jesus eats with us (Revelations 3:20), but in which He is offered as the bread of life, so that we may eat of him and have eternal life (John 6:25-59).

In being expelled from the Garden of Eden, man was banished from the presence of the Lord. In being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, our "right to the tree of life" (Revelations 22:14) will be restored and our "share in the tree of life" (Revelations 22:19) will be assured. In heaven, we will be fully in the presence of the triune God.

Aroma of Christ

II Corinthians 2: 14-17

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

I Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

In Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is compared to a double-edged sword. Indeed it is. The word of God carries a double-edged message. To those who abide by the Word, it is a message of redemption and blessings. To those who disregard it, it is a message of curse. The aroma of Christ is the fragrance of life to His people, but the smell of death to the unbelievers. In Deuteronomy 28, it is clearly spelled out that if you obey the Lord our God and carefully follow His commands, you will be abundantly blessed, whether you are coming in or going out. On the other hand, if you disobey Him and do not follow His commands, then all the curses will come upon you and overtake you. There is nothing gray about this.

While God is Love, He cannot tolerate those who choose to stay in sin and refuse to submit to the Lord. It is in our interest to abide in Him and follow His commands.

Cedar and Hyssop

Cedar and hyssop are often mentioned together in the Bible. King Solomon is said to have described plant life from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls (1 Kings 4:33). Both cedar and hyssop were used in cleansing ceremonies both for people healed of an infectious skin disease and for a house that has been cured of mildew (Leviticus 14).

Hyssop is an aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean regions and western Asia. Whereas cedar is deep-rooted and requires a good water source, hyssop will grow with minimal water and often out of a wall or between crevices of rocks. Hyssop is a food plant for cabbage moth and cabbage white butterfly and is often planted alongside cabbage, to lure away the pests.

If cedar may be associated with might, power, uprightness, and righteousness, hyssop is symbolic of sacrifice, humility, and servanthood. It is the plant that was used to dip the lamb's blood and paint the door frames during the first Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12:22). It is the plant that is mentioned in David's prayer of repentance, after the prophet Nathan came to him to rebuke him on the matter of Bathsheba (Psalm 51:7). It is also the stalk of a hyssop on which wine vinegar was dipped and offered to Jesus on the cross (John 19:29). When Jesus received it, he then said, "It is finished."

Cedar of Lebanon

Cedars are coniferous trees, native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean regions. Cedars of Lebanon are a species of the Cedar genus and grow in the high mountains of Lebanon, usually above altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters. They grow straight and tall, usually achieving a height of 30-40 meters, occasionally 60 meters. Cedar wood is not only scented, but has an attractive color and grain. Cedar wood and cedar oil are a natural repellant to moths. For these reasons, cedar has been used to make high-end wooden products, such as panels, closets, and shoe trees.

Pictures of cedar of Lebanon may be easily obtained by using Google or other search engines.

In the Bible, cedar is mentioned 73 times in the Old Testament, though none in the New Testament (NIV).

In Leviticus chapter 14, we read that cedar was used ceremonially as part of cleansing or purification, along with two birds, scarlet yarn and hyssop. Cedar and these items were used both to cleanse a person who has been healed of an infectious skin disease and to purify a house that has been stripped of mildew.

Cedar was used in construction of David’s palace (II Samuel chapters 5 & 7, I Chronicles chapter 14, 17). Later, Solomon used cedar beams and cedar boards to build the Lord’s temple (I Kings chapters 5 & 6) and his own Palace of the Forest of Lebanon (I Kings chapter 7). We read that during the reign of Solomon, cedar was as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in Jerusalem (I Kings 10:27, II Chronicles 1:15, 9:27). Later, when the temple was re-built during the days of Ezra, cedar was again brought from Lebanon and used in the construction (Ezra 3:7).

In general, cedars are described as “mighty” (Psalm 80:10), tall and lofty (II Kings 19:23, Isaiah 2:13), noble (II Chronicles 25:18), fragrant (Hosea 14:6), and associated with beauty (Song of Solomon 8:9). Would it be a stretch to say that some of these are the same qualities expected of the Lord’s people, who now make up the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19)?

I remember the prayers of a minister who used to frequent our home. Whenever he came, he would pray for me that I would grow strong, upright and righteous like the cedar of Lebanon, as well as that I would have wisdom, insight and intellect. That would be a prayer to be offered for my children as well.