JOSHUA TREE!

   ‘Joshua Tree’ photo by William Garrett on PxHere. CC BY 2.0.

The Joshua Tree is not really a tree!  It is rumored that it was named by 19^th century Mormon’s who thought the outstretched branches of the tree led them through the desert just like Joshua in the bible was led by God.  ‘After the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.  And the people said, “Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.”  
Joshua 1:1-2, 17.  So the people obeyed him and followed him to the ‘promised land.’

The tree is actually a succulent, a desert plant that can store water.  They are commonly found in the Mojave Desert of the Southwestern United States.  They are so prevalent in the California Desert landscape that they have a National Park named after them.  They can grow up to 40 feet tall and are a vital part of the desert eco system.  It is said that 25 bird species nest in them, lizards seek cover in them and many mammals rely on them for food. Their seeds and flower buds are edible.  In addition, humans also used them for food and to make fence posts, baskets and sandals.  

They need two very specific things to survive, a dormant period of cold weather in order to bloom and the yucca moth for politization.  The moth and the Joshua tree have a ‘mutualistic symbiotic relationship’.  The moth pollinates the tree so it can bloom and produce seeds.  The moth deposits its eggs in the flower.  When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the flower’s seeds and they survive!  

What specific things do we need to survive???

Our owner’s manual, the Bible mentions several things.  

Jesus said, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  Matthew 4:4.

We need more than bread, we need ‘the word of God’ to live!

In the word of God, Jesus said, “you must be born again.”  

‘Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”  How can someone be born when they are old?”  Nicodemus asked.  “Surely, they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”  Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.’  
John 3:1-6.

It is critical, a matter of survival to be ‘born again’.  You are born again by receiving Jesus. As 1 John 5:12 says, ‘Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.’  
To live, we have to be ‘born again’.

‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.’  (Saved from death).  Ephesians 2:4-5.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’  John 3:16.

If you believe in Jesus, you will not only live, but live forever!!!

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?

TAKE A LESSON FROM THE JOSHUA TREE AND DO WHAT THE WORD OF GOD, YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL SAYS TO DO TO SURVIVE!!!

Pray this prayer and you will live! Dear Jesus, you are the Son of God.  You died for me.  For my sins, in my place.  Come into my life, forgive me, and make me new.  And from this day forward, with your help, I’m all yours.
In your name I pray.  Amen.