SOLE SURVIVING PINE TREE (part 2)

By Neil Verwey: 

The lone pine tree which became a symbol of hope in Japan after surviving the March 11, 2011 triple disaster is dying.

The solitary pine was the only tree out of a forest of 70,000 to survive the impact of powerful tsunami waves as they swept across Takata Matsubara forest in Rikuzentakata, northeast Japan.

The 30 m tall tree subsequently became renowned nationwide as a poignant symbol of the nation's tenacity in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.

However, conservationists have concluded that efforts to save the single tree are futile as its roots are now heavily rotted by seawater.

Local civic groups have been working for 9 months since the triple disaster using a variety of methods to save the tree, ranging from putting up protective iron sheeting to pumping seawater out of the surrounding soil. Despite such efforts it is not possible to save the tree due to its inability to receive nutrients through its rotting roots.

Source: The Telegraph 2011-12-05

Juxtaposed to this lone pine tree, a powerful symbol of hope and recovery for the tsunami survivors is a more powerful symbol: the tree upon which Jesus Christ died.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,

so that we might die to sins

and live for righteousness;

by his wounds you have been healed

(1 Pet. 2:24, NIV).

There is hope in eternity for the survivors of the 11/3/11 triple disaster this Christmas!

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth as a baby to live for us, die in payment for our sins against God, and to save all who would believe in Him.