“Trees Planted By Streams”

-->

Meditation on Psalm 1 and John 18:33-37

Christ the King Sunday

***

“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the teaching of the Lord, and they meditate on his Word, day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither or fade. In all that they do, they prosper.

Not so the wicked.  They are like chaff the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, nor will sinners in the assembly of the righteous; for the Lord watches over and cherishes the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1)

***

      Jim and I traveled from the airport in the Twin Cities to Mankato on Wednesday. We had picked up our son Josh, on leave from the Air Force, and were on our way to pick up our son Jacob at Minnesota State University for Thanksgiving break. 

      As we travel southwest on highway 169 that winds through woods, over the Minnesota River and beside flowing streams, I am again struck by how different the view is when we go to Mankato this way. It’s not like the drive from our home near Renville where the black earth is flat and carved into farms that go on for miles and miles.  

      On the east side of Mankato, we pass forests and orchards planted with fruit trees.  Produce stands with “closed” signs remind us apple season is over, but invite us back next year when once again the fruit will be plentiful.

     And I think of Psalm 1.   The righteous people of God are “like trees planted by streams of water.”  In the arid, Ancient Near East, water was and still is a precious commodity. Trees that prosper, bear fruit in season, and do not wither or fade in this dry region are trees that don’t rely solely on rainfall.  Those that grow beside flowing water, connected by strong, deep roots directly to their source of nourishment and life will survive.

     As the car rolls along, I admire the view and think more about the Psalmist’s imagery of the faithful as trees planted by streams.

     I ask myself, “How do we know when we are like trees—among the righteous and faithful?” 

***

       Psalm 1 provides some clues. The Psalmist tells us how faithful and righteous people think and behave.  We are like trees planted by streams of water, if….

       We do not follow the advice of the wicked. 

       We do not tread in the path of sinners. 

       And we do not sit in the seat of scoffers—or have close associations with people who scorn and persecute the faithful.

       The Psalmist goes on to tell us that God’s righteous are those who delight in one thing:  meditating on His teachings day and night—all the time, thinking about Him, His Word, and His Ways.

      And the Psalm doesn’t end there.  It contains a stern warning to the wicked, who are the opposite of trees planted by streams.  They are like chaff—the light, outside husk of the grain that flies away during winnowing. 

      The wicked will not survive the judgment.  They will perish while the righteous, whom the Lord watches over and cherishes, need not fear the judgment to come. 

      The ancient Psalmist doesn’t mention Jesus Christ, who took the punishment we deserved when he was crucified. Jesus has turned Judgment Day into a joyful reunion for the people of God. This ancient Psalm was composed hundreds of years before Christ came to us as a lowly infant in a manger.  We know from God’s New Covenant that in order to be like trees planted by streams and connected to our source of nourishment and life, we need Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We couldn’t be righteous or faithful without belief on His suffering work on the cross for our sakes.

       Jesus came to be our Living Water—to fill us now and forever—so we would have abundant and eternal life with Him.

      And so we would never “thirst” again.

***   

      In today’s gospel, we hear a conversation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate after Jesus has been arrested and put on trial.

       Pilate wants to know who Jesus is.  He has heard what others have said. That he has raised the dead, healed the lame and blind, and forgiven people of their sins. Christ’s guilt or innocence of crimes against the empire or the religious charge of blasphemy hinges on Jesus’ answer to one question. 

       Pilate asks, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

      And Jesus doesn’t say “Yes” or “No.” He says, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

      Pilate only hears Jesus saying he is a king.  Still, he is ready to let Him go. He tells the people he has found no case against Him. 

     “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” he asks.

      And you know what happens.

     The people say, “Barabbas!  Release Barabbas!” 

     They do not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah sent by God to save the world from its sins.  They are scoffers. And Pilate does what the Psalmist warns the faithful not to do.  He follows the advice of the wicked; he releases the bandit instead of the Savior.  He treads in the path of sinners, though he has no peace about it.

     Instead of being like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Pilate gives in to the angry mob; he is like chaff the wind blows away.

    

     ***

       As we begin one of the busiest times of the year, when the world bombards us with constant messages to buy, buy, buy, and do, do, do… When the world tries to convince us that we cannot possibly be happy unless we are going overboard with Christmas shopping and over the top with decorating and endless preparations and activities for the “holiday” season...

      When others pressure us to do and be what they want us to be—and it isn’t what God requires of us…

       How do we remain happy and at peace?

       Here’s our answer. Remember who Jesus is and what He has done for you. And rejoice! He alone is your Lord!  He is our Savior and King. And His kingdom is not of this world.

      Delight in one thing, like the Psalmist says.  Meditate on His teaching, His Word, night and day.

      And remember, in Christ, you ARE and WILL ALWAYS BE like trees planted by streams of water...

   

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love and for what you have done for us through Your Son. Refresh and renew us now with your Spirit.  Forgive us for finding other things to do and think about, instead of delighting in one thing—You—and meditating on Your teachings, day and night.  Grant us courage and strength to be what you want us to be and resist the pressure to do all the things the world wants us to do, especially at this time of year.  Keep us rooted in the faith and connected to You through our source of all nourishment and life—Jesus Christ, our Living Water, Savior and King—who offers eternal life to all who believe on Him.  In Christ we pray.  Amen.