July 22, 2024
The Tree
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Why did God plant the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden? Why was that tree planted in that perfect place, where Satan might use it as an object of temptation?
The tree was there to remind Adam and Eve that they were not their own. It was there to remind them that they were God’s own possession. The tree was there to remind them that they were accountable to God and that they could not escape judgment for the moral choices they made.
The tree was not placed there by accident. God deliberately placed that tree in the Garden of Eden. And there in that garden, the first man, Adam, met temptation—and he was defeated by sin.
But thousands of years later, there was another garden—the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Garden of Eden, Adam fell, and we all fell with him. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was victorious, and all who belong to Him are victorious as well. In the Garden of Eden, the disobedience of one man caused sin to infect all of humanity. But in the Garden of Gethsemane, the obedience of the Son of Man produced the antidote for sin.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam experienced death as a consequence of his rebellion. But in the Garden of Gethsemane, we all experience life—eternal life—by grace through faith. One tree in Eden defeated Adam, and another tree, the cross of Christ, defeated sin and Satan. One tree brought the knowledge of evil, but the other tree gave us power over evil, power over temptation, power over death, the power of salvation.
So the question is Which tree do you look to? The tree by which humanity was tempted and fell or the tree by which God gave us eternal life?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your incredible love for us. Thank You that You have made a way for us, though fallen, to be with You forever through the cross of Christ. May I always look to the precious gift of eternal life through Jesus so that I can live my life in submission to You with thanksgiving. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon The Garden vs. the City, Part 5: LISTEN NOW
Want more devotionals from Leading The Way? Sign up for MY Devotional and have a devotional delivered directly to your inbox daily!
Leading The Way’s daily MY Devotional is also available as a podcast—listen today on your favorite podcast platform!
PARTNER WITH US
We are Leading The Way for people living in spiritual darkness, at home and around the world, to discover the light of Christ as we passionately proclaim uncompromising Truth. Visit us today at LeadingTheWay.org.
Listen to Dr. Michael Youssef on today's broadcast of Leading The Way at OnePlace.com.
Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
07/22/2024
07/15/2024
07/08/2024
07/01/2024
06/24/2024
06/17/2024
06/10/2024
06/03/2024
05/27/2024
05/20/2024
05/13/2024
05/06/2024
04/29/2024
04/22/2024
04/15/2024
04/08/2024
04/01/2024
03/25/2024
03/18/2024
03/11/2024
03/04/2024
02/26/2024
02/19/2024
02/12/2024
02/05/2024
01/29/2024
01/22/2024
01/15/2024
01/08/2024
01/01/2024
12/25/2023
12/18/2023
12/11/2023
12/04/2023
11/27/2023
11/20/2023
11/13/2023
11/06/2023
It’s easy to recall David’s victories and defeats, but greater life lessons are found within his heart. In A Heart for God: Lessons from the Life of David, Dr. Youssef takes you on a journey through the highs and lows of David’s life. As you explore his greatest triumphs and failures, you’ll see God’s faithfulness to use willing vessels for His glory. As you experience his desperate cries, you’ll witness the power of a life completely surrendered to God. And as you see the grander picture of David’s life, you’ll also discover how it all points to Christ Jesus, the perfect King who uses broken people to do great things for His kingdom. Request your copy today for your gift of any amount.