The Tree Which Marks the Center of the World!
It was a perfect day for taking pictures. There were many beautiful and interesting subjects for the camera, but everyone was occupied by a fine old tree surrounded by an iron fence and marked by a bronze plaque. A young man stopped to ask, “What’s so interesting about that tree?” A man replied, “The inscription says this tree marks the center of England.
Tourists come from all over to take a picture of the center of England.” With interest, the young man read the inscription on the plaque. His face lit up with a smile, and he turned back to the man. “This is interesting,” he proclaimed, “I never heard of this tree. But it makes me think of another tree which means a great deal to me, although I have never seen it.” Others stepped over to listen. “The tree I refer to marks the center of the world,” he continued. The listeners responded with surprise and unbelief: “The center of the world! Impossible! What do you mean?” “All those on one side of the Tree are saved and on their way to Heaven. All on the other side are lost and on their way to eternal darkness and punishment in Hell.”
Some looked puzzled; others sneered and left. “This Tree I speak of is mentioned by Peter, and it was a happy day for me when I read about it and believed. Listen to his words, “Christ…who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). That Tree is the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I thank God that I stand on the side of those whose sins are washed away in His precious blood—a saved sinner on my way to glory.”
Reader, there are many interesting monuments, but the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ divides this world. You stand on one side or the other of this great Tree—the true “center of the world.” Your home and work occupy your thoughts, as do world events. Have you considered that your home and work, even this world, must be left behind when you step out into eternity? Then the only question that really matters will be, “On which side of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ do you stand.” Perhaps you shrug this question off by saying that you are not a heathen, but a good citizen, and a respected church-member. But what does all this mean if your sins are not washed away in the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus?
Face the most important question of time and eternity right now. Have you bowed your knees to God’s beloved Son, owning yourself a needy sinner? Have you been washed from your sins in His precious shed blood? Have you taken your stand with those who own no other ground of safety but “redemption ground”? The Tree of Calvary marks the center of the world. On which side do you stand?
“How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). “He that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son SHALL NOT see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3).
