The Tree

Have you ever come across a really tall tree? Now, let me ask you this. Have you ever seen a really tall tree in a storm? Say you have a very large maple. The sky is dark with thunder clouds. The rain begins to pour, the lightning begins to crash, and the thunder starts to boom. Under the shelter of the branches and leaves, you find yourself protected and dry. But then, you gaze up at the top of the tree. It's being thrashed around by the wind, being beat upon by the rain. But it never gives way. Have you guessed what that is like? Jesus, guys (and girls). Jesus. You see Jesus was in a storm. In fact, it was probably more like a hurricane. But, he was in a bad one. He saw the storm coming long before it happened. He decided that he would take the fall, he would take the downpour of our sins, our uncleanness, and shelter us and keep us safe before, towards, and afterwards. Jesus is very much like that tree we hid under when we were vulnerable to the storm. The storm,of course, represents Satan. He constantly sends hard times and temptations at us, much like a storm sends rain and lightning at us. So, the moral is this. The storm is long and hard, but with proper help and courage, you can brave it.