What Trees Can Teach Us About God and His Kingdom预览

Jesus was hanged on a tree

In Israel, some very serious crimes were punishable by death. On some occasions, we read that somebody was hanged on a tree — either before or after his death. Such a man was “cursed by God” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23 ESV). Apparently, this was the most despised and humiliating sort of death penalty.

Given this information, it is shocking to read in Acts 5:30 (ESV) that Jesus was “killed by hanging him on a tree” as well. He was crucified, which means He was hung on a wooden stake ‘the Roman way’. The Roman officials were probably not aware that crucifixion was especially cursed by God, but the apostles did notice the striking significance. Jesus Christ was willing to die this utterly shameful death, He was willing to “become a curse” in order to save sinful humans from the curse of the law.

God the Father accepted His innocent death as the ‘payment’ for human sin. That becomes clear three days after the crucifixion: “The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree” (Acts 5:30 ESV). By Jesus’ atoning death, the curse is broken and the way to the Father is re-opened. People who are under the curse of sin, can be freed from this curse if they believe in Jesus as their Redeemer. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV).

Are you already redeemed from the curse of sin?