All of us think this image is a horrific sight, but the most horrific of all would be seeing people burning in hell. The tree is a metaphor for a person (Matthew 7:15-20). Upon seeing this picture, it made me think about people.
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”
Mark 8:22-26
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village – An encounter with Jesus isolates you from distractions and bad influences in your life that could hinder your desire to follow Him.
It is interesting that the blind man, as he was in the process of being healed by Jesus mentions, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” He was not only being healed literally, seeing the spiritual realm was also taking place. Having spent a few more moments with his Savior, he saw everything clearly.
“Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
Matthew 13:10
“The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand.”
Matthew 13:13
they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand –
There is always a spiritual equivalent to a physical condition.
Now on to the literality of Hell…
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
Matthew 5:29-30
Hell is more than just a metaphor. Jesus’ emphasis on doing whatever we can NOT to go to this place is clear by repeating, “It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
Not only that, He died for every person on this planet so we do not have to go to this dreaded place.
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3
Very descriptive! Lord’s blessings!
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