Give Us A Tree

Jesus used seeds in His illustration of the kingdom, because we cannot give someone a full-grown tree.

There is so much about Christ that I have grown in knowledge and understanding about, but all of that started with a seed. I was given a seed, and as I continued on with the Lord, that seed was watered, and then the tender shoots were watered, then the growing plant was pruned, then the roots were deepened by drought and the trunk was strengthened by turmoil. Because no matter how large and sprawling oak trees may become, they all begin as a seed. 

I cannot give someone a tree who must begin as a seed, because a seed cannot comprehend the full extent of what it will become. Giving them a tree would make no sense to them because a seed is encased in the hull of its own limited perceptions. It must become what it was meant to become through experience. A seed must live through its stages of growth to reach the extent of what it was meant to be. Then once that seed matures into a full grown tree, it is able to bear seeds— seeds that will grow into other trees, one stage of growth at a time. 

 

At the time just prior to Christ’s return, when everything begins to come together, when people begin to realize what is happening, when people begin to comprehend that the Lord is revealing and manifesting Himself through His own people, they will ask those people for trees, but they cannot be given trees, they can only be given seeds. The virgins at Matthew Chapter 25 don’t refuse to give the oil asked of them because they are selfish, they refuse to give it because they can’t. 

They cannot give trees, they can only give seeds. Because trees must be grown. 

(Matt 13:24-36) Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared…”

(Mark 4:26-29) Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

(John 12:23-25) And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that Son of Man should be glorified. Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

(Is 61:1-3) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor…to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort those who mourn… in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

(Rom 8:18,19) I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

(Col 1:27) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

(Gal 1:15,16) But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

(Eph 5:15-17) Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

(Matt 26:8-10) And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” “No,” said the wise ones…”go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” But while [the foolish] were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

(Rev 2:5,7) Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place… He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.