God’s design is for us to be like trees planted by streams of living water, where the very nature of Christ is actually emerging as we surrender to Him.
No tree ever existed that did not go through the same process of being buried and dying before it could give life. Jesus died, was buried and is alive turning the cross of death into the tree of life inviting us to be restored to the Garden of Eden where we eat from this tree of life and live in fellowship with God as our way of life. When this happens, we begin to flourish like trees planted by these streams of living water and the unstoppable force of heaven begins to invade the earth.
We read this prophetic text in the Book of Psalms that clearly speaks of Christ who would come one thousand years later.
Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?... (AMP)
Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm… (AMP)
Psalms 22:16 “…A gang of evildoers has encircled me, They pierced my hands and my feet. (AMP)
Psalms 22:18 They divide my clothing among them And cast lots for my garment. (AMP)
Clearly this is a prophetic text talking about Jesus on the cross. That little phrase in verse 6 caught my attention one day when reading this, “I am a worm”.
This is actually the Hebrew word, “Towla” and specifically defines the crimson grub worm. This worm was protected by the king. This worm had such a rich red blood it was used to make dye for garments that only royalty was allowed to wear.
When the worm was about to die it would attach itself to a tree. Eggs hatch when it dies so life comes from death on a tree. The worm had to be scraped from the tree and crushed to make dye, but it had to be done within three days. Then the blood was used to prepare royal garments.
Isaiah 53:4-10 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him… ESV
Jesus was crushed so we could become all God desires for us to become. The church emerges out of the throes of death every single time it looks like it’s over. This is the nature of our King awakened within His Kingdom.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ESV
To follow His example of dying to yourself releasing life to the world around you. This is the engine that powers the unstoppable church of Jesus Christ!
One of the greatest mysteries in all of history: How did a first-century cult birthed in the armpit of the Roman Empire whose leader was rejected by his own people and crucified survive and thrive in the face of violent, organized state-funded resistance?
Karen Armstrong (Fields of Blood) “Against all odds, by the 3rd century, Christianity had become a force to be reckoned with. We still do not really understand how this came about.”
How is it that Rome would seek to destroy Christianity for 300 years and then embrace it hanging a cross over the emperor’s entrance to the Roman Colosseum? How in the world did this come about?
Jesus said on this rock of the confession of Christ I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Nothing will stop this movement.
The disciples had to be thinking – wow what is he talking about? We have no influence. We fear for our lives and many times we don’t even like each other. Us? Really? They probably said, “Jesus. Rome is not a fan of new movements and do you know what happens to people who start new movements in Rome, claiming to be a king?” He knew and it happened to him, which adds to the mystery of how this movement never died.
The Temple hated and fought it and the Empire tried to crush it, but the movement not only survived but it thrived!
Jesus death wasn’t the death of the movement because he didn’t do what every other dead person ever did. He did not stay dead.
Jesus was saying, “I'm about to do something new and nothing, nothing. Nothing is going to stop it.” For those who accept Christ, we are the fulfillment of that prophecy in our generation. Jesus foretold us, like trees planted by streams of living water, where the very nature of Christ is actually emerging within us.
God awakens things within us that has the power to transform the world around us.
No tree ever existed that did not go through the process of being dying before it could give life. Jesus died, was buried and is alive turning the cross of death into the tree of life inviting us to be restored to the Garden of Eden where we eat from this tree of life and live in fellowship with God as trees planted by living waters.
Everywhere we go....
We Bring GP2RL:
: Read Psalms 31-45 this week. As you read give thanks for the awakening taking place within you that has taken place for generations in those who’ve gone before us.
Like Trees Planted by Streams of Living Water
DISCUSSION GUIDE
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Psalms unveils the authenticity of humanity in the, sometimes painful, but always beautiful pursuit of God. The beauty is that God never wastes a single hurt if we are willing to give it to Him.
We can judge God according to our circumstances or we can judge our circumstances according to our God. God is good even in our times of pain and desperation. We live in a fallen world, but we look to a Risen King.
Two thirds of the Psalms are what scholars call lament. So often, our greatest purpose is born from our deepest pain. May we press in and go deeper in our authentic pursuit of the heart of God as we explore the treasures of Psalms.
It is a good thing to hear what God is revealing in the hearts of those around us. Feel free to use this question however you feel it fits in your time together as a group.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: to help develop a context for a greater understanding of the verses for today. Psalms opens with beautiful imagery of God’s people being like fruitful trees planted by streams of water.
2. What are some common causes of stress in our world today?
3. How does stress affect our physical, emotional and mental well-being?
Isaiah 53:4-10 Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him… ESV
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ESV
4. What stands out to you about these verses especially when you consider the highlighted phras es pointing to God’s presence in our lives?
5. What are some ways you purpose to remain at peace even when the storms of life are raging around you?
6. How will you apply, specifically, our action point this week?
Everywhere we go, we bring...
GP2RL: Read Psalms 31-45 this week. As you read give thanks for the awakening taking place within you that has taken place for generations in those who’ve gone before us.