God has given certain trees unbelievable longevity, but His Word outshines all trees when it comes to the ability to survive for thousands of years through the harshest conditions known to man. Jesus, the Living Word, is also called the Tree of Life, who will live eternally in our hearts when we allow it.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
Ageless trees and the Bible
Many species of trees are long-lifers. Year after decade after century, they have provided our environment with oxygen, shade, habitat, and beauty for both man and animal.
Research shows that a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine in California’s White Mountains was 4,845 years old, as of 2013, the longest living tree on record. Besides Bristlecone Pines, Yew trees and Ginkgo Biloba trees appear to be long-lived. The so-named Methuselah tree, and others, also typically live hundreds of years. Most are usually found in climates subject to drastic change. They’re resilient in bad weather and bad soil, places where most other plants cannot live.
The Bristlecone Trees have the ability to endure intense stress. Their tough exterior makes them resistant to the invasion of insects and other pests. Even the Sequoia, redwood, and oak trees don’t come close to the longevity of the trees mentioned. Yet they’re all destructible.
The Bible, however, is indestructible and is like a long-lifer tree. As far back as the Old Testament, evil men have tried to destroy the Scriptures. The prophet Jeremiah was instructed by God to write on a scroll all the words God had told him about the sins of Israel. He had to write it twice because the evil king, Jehoiakim, burned it.
Early Christian believers hid copies of the Old Testament books and Paul’s writings because it was outlawed. Since then, the Bible has survived other severe persecutions against Christians throughout the ages. It continues to do so.
The Bible, originally written on perishable material, had to be copied and recopied for hundreds of years before the printing press came into existence. It has survived burning, banning, and outlawing from the days of the Roman Empire to today’s atheistic and humanistic societies. It has survived the most venomous criticism by atheists and skeptics.
The Bible is unique in its survival, its continuity, its teachings, and its influence on other literature. It is “living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12) Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) Millions have come to faith in Christ simply by reading the Bible.
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word and for the power it brings even in the midst of drastic change, criticism, and venomous attack. Thank You for Jesus, our Tree of Life. Forgive us when we’ve treated your Word as merely something to have on hand in case we need it. Give us a hunger and thirst for it every day so we can live it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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