Page 59 - SABBATH

Yahshua, the Tree of Life

here is a tree that grows in barren and wilderness places. It is found in the western
TUnited States and it bears the name “The Joshua Tree.” Knowing that Joshua is
the anglicization of the Hebrew name Yahshua, it should be no surprise to learn that this
tree fits the physical description of the Messiah.

Isaiah 53:2
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched
ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor
appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

This tree does indeed grow out of parched ground and it has no stately form or
majesty. As far as trees go, there is little to attract a person’s attention or to think that there
is anything particularly noteworthy about this tree. I would not be surprised to find that the
Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden was similar in form. Quite often the Father clothes those
things that are highly prized by Him in forms that have little appeal to the natural man.
Yahshua declared that He was Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8, Luke 6:5), and we
are told that He had no stately form or majesty that men should look upon Him, nor
appearance that men should be attracted to Him. Similarly, there is little in the message of
the Sabbath rest of God that appeals to the natural man. The message of Sabbath rest leads
men to cease from their own works. It leads men to consider that their own efforts are
without any value before God. The message of Sabbath brings one to abasement and
humility.
Such things do not stir the flesh. Instead the flesh wars against these things. The flesh
of man devises many paths and activities to pursue, but only true rest will bear fruit for
eternity.
The church of this day has largely rejected the message of Sabbath, and indeed it is
unknown to many believers. What attracts the saints are bold and vibrant ministries that
have stately form and majesty. The saints are attracted to those churches that have built
impressive edifices with tall steeples, stained glass, and banners proudly flying. The church
seeks to make itself attractive to the world so that the world will be lured into its embrace.
This is not the way of the Spirit, however.
Yahshua was a rock of offense and a stone of stumbling (Romans 9:33, I Peter 2:8).
The rich and the powerful, the worldly and successful, largely rejected Yahshua. They
wanted a strong and powerful leader who had great majesty and who was impressive in
stature. They were greatly disappointed by this man who preached death to self, and
obedience to the voice of God.
The church has tried to remold itself so those who despised and rejected Yahshua will
find themselves attracted and comfortable with them. Many worldly people have entered
into the church, and because the more difficult teachings of Messiah have been avoided,
they have remained worldly, and their presence has encouraged others to be worldly.
The church today does many things that outwardly appear good, and even godly, but
many of these things are born out of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In eating
of this fruit they appear “like God,” and many saints have been fooled by this godlikeness.
If one has eyes to see, however, they will realize that the godlikeness is merely a facade.