Growth Habits and the Cross

The Cross and Our Growth Habits
Trees. That’s one of the images that comes to mind when I think about Jesus hanging on the cross. For some, this may seem abstract or odd, and for others this may harken back to familiar imagery within scripture. Occasionally, “cross” and “tree” are used interchangeably in the New Testament, depending on your preferred Bible translation. Verses referring to the crucifixion, such as Acts 5:30, 10:39, or Gal. 3:13 may come to mind, or maybe less familiar verses referring to a hanging or impaling execution such as Gen. 40:19, Deut. 21:22, or the gallows mentioned in all but three chapters of Esther. On further investigation, there really are many connections to the uses of “tree”, “cross”, and a method of execution all throughout the Biblical text. Sometimes “trees” equal death. Just take a look and see for yourself. 
However, if you will allow me, I would like to take you along a tangential rabbit hole or two. I promise we’ll stitch them together in a meaningful way, but the journey is important. Let’s move from death to weeping. (Sounds exciting, right?) 
Weeping Trees
Recently, I learned a lot about trees, their growth habits, and even some about the grafting process. Trees are such a fascinating and underappreciated part of God’s creation. Needing some arboreal information, I happened to have a friend who could provide it (and in spades!). Thank you, Logan Park! I was interested in learning more about “weeping” trees, such as the Weeping Willow. Little did I know that there are many species of trees that have the long and thin branches commonly associated with the Weeping Willow. Not only do other trees have these long hanging branches, but the “weeping” growth habit is not limited to the concealing, downward arches. Some trees “weep” up and out, stretching toward the heavens above.
Growth Habits and Adam
Learning about the “weeping” growth habits of trees reminded me of a sermon I heard right here at Cornerstone. Pastor Michael was teaching during a Christology series focused on “Old Testament glimpses of Jesus”. During this teaching, special attention was drawn to the similarities between the recorded events of Adam and Jesus. Adam was made without sin, given a mission, tempted by Satan, and was a representative of humanity. Sound familiar? 
Unfortunately, Adam chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, “and so death spread to all men because all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12), and “many died through one man’s trespass” (Rom. 5:15). Adam was placed in a garden, approached a tree out of selfish ambition, hid from his Father, and opened all to sin. His “weeping” growth habit was arching down, trying to conceal his sin and shame as his arms crossed to cover his nakedness. This tree and this Adam led to death. Thank God there will come another tree and another Adam.
A Second Adam
When Joseph received revelation about the son his betrothed Mary would have, he was told and “you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Mat. 1:21). Mary also received revelation when the birth of her son was foretold- “the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Jesus was given one name and many title-names that speak to who He is and what He has fulfilled. Paul uses one of these unique title names for Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15, “the last Adam”.
Just like Adam, Jesus was the Son of God- given life specially and uniquely among humanity and God was his father. He too was given a mission, tempted by Satan, and was a representative of humanity, but unlike Adam, he lived without falling to sin. Even when betrayed, whipped, beaten, stripped of his clothes, mocked, and nailed to the cross, he still did not sin.
Out and Up
Unlike Adam, Jesus went to a garden, sought out His Father, approached a “tree” in selfless ambition, and opened all to freedom from their sin. Exposing himself to harm in humility, His growth habit is out and up as He allowed his arms to be stretched out and opened wide as He was nailed to a tree for the sake of others. This “tree” equals death on behalf of us. 
In 1 Corinthians 15: 21-22 Paul writes, “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead”. Later in the same chapter, Paul states “Thus it is written, ‘the first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit” (1 Cor. 15:45). Paul again speaks of these things in another letter, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17). Because of this “last Adam” and his “tree”, we may eat of the tree of life once again.
How do You Weep?
Sometimes “trees” equal death. Other times “trees” equal life. So, then the questions we should be asking ourselves are: What tree are we eating from? and What is our growth habit? Are we weeping down while trying to cover our selfish sin and shame from others, mourning our growing distance from God- much like that of the first Adam? Or are we weeping up, with outstretched hands in praise and obedience, growing closer to our Father above through selfless sacrifice- much like that of the last Adam, our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Son of God?