Participating in the Tree of Life Series: Resurrection and Roots

This is the 14th post in the Participating in the Tree of Life series.  Here are links to the first and most recent posts.

In the midst of the Easter holiday, it’s a good time to reflect on what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection.  As He explained to His disciples prior to His arrest (Gospel of  John, chapter 16) Jesus would send the Holy Spirit after He was resurrected.

5 “but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

Jesus’ resurrection resulted in the impartation to, and flow of the Holy Spirit through those who believe in Him.  This blog series has detailed the flow of the Holy Spirit through those who believe, using the visual imagery of plants and the Tree of Life, as described throughout the Bible.  It’s clear believers are described as branches, connected to the vine (Jesus).  The life of the believer is dependent on the flow of the Holy Spirit (living water) which is only available through belief in Jesus as the resurrected savior and Son of God. 

There’s one essential part of a plant I’ve not previously discussed from a Biblical perspective.  Plants are dependent on their roots.

It begins with the root

Plants cannot live without a root.  In fact, the root is the first structure that emerges from a germinating seed, as the new plant requires water, even before it needs light.  Without water, a seedling will wither and die.  The primary function of roots is the uptake of water from the soil, and consequently are essential to survival.  Here is a video depicting seed germination, showing the root as the first part of a seedling to emerge from the seed.

I find it interesting to consider the spiritual symbolism of seed germination (the beginning of a new life) which starts with a seed buried in the soil, which begins to absorb water.  The water triggers growth of the root, resulting in the emergence of the new plant from the soil, to receive light (it's energy source), and continue growing.

Consider what Jesus says in John 12:23-24, a section of scripture labeled as 'Jesus predicts his own death':

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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."

We’ve previously discussed the agrarian societal context of the Biblical era.  Everyone knew the importance of water to their crop plants and food supply.  Jesus’ telling of the Parable of the Sower was very relatable.  In Luke 8:13, Jesus explains to His disciples the importance of maintaining belief in Him:

“Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.”

A seedling cannot develop without a root, as it cannot maintain the flow of water required for life.  Belief in, and dependency on Jesus is required to maintain the flow of the Holy Spirit, to grow, mature and bear good fruit.  He is the vine, we are the branches.  Jesus is also the root.

Jesus is the root

Not only did Jesus declare himself as the root, the Old Testament declared the Messiah as the root.  It’s worth reading all of Isaiah chapter 11.  Here is Isaiah chapter 11, verse 10

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

Jesus was born of the bloodline of Jesse, David’s father.  Paul recognized this passage from Isaiah pointed to Jesus, the Messiah, and utilized it as part of his explanation of salvation through Jesus Christ to the Romans.  Here is what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 15, verse 12

And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

Finally, in the book of Revelation, John records Jesus declaring himself as the root, in chapter 22, verse 16

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Jesus is the root, the vehicle through which we are reconnected spiritually to our Father, and are sustained by the living water flowing from the throne of God.  

Do you believe what Jesus declares about himself?

I’ll conclude sharing once again the scene John saw and described in Revelation 22: 1-2.  Jesus, the resurrected sacrificial lamb, is the reason we have an opportunity for spiritual life.  It's simply a matter of believing.

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.

I'm intending the next post for the Participating in the Tree of Life series to be the final wrap-up and concluding thoughts.