{"id":32,"date":"2017-12-19T20:59:25","date_gmt":"2017-12-19T20:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bibletruthpublishers.com\/gospel\/?p=32"},"modified":"2017-12-19T21:02:53","modified_gmt":"2017-12-19T21:02:53","slug":"the-worlds-most-expensive-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bibletruthpublishers.com\/gospel\/index.php\/2017\/12\/19\/the-worlds-most-expensive-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"The World’s Most Expensive Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"I<\/span>t was recognized by the Guinness Book as the world\u2019s most expensive tree and cost over $11 million. There was nothing cheap about the Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The bare-bones tree cost at least $10,000, but it\u2019s what hung on the 43 ft. (13 m) high tree that gave it such incredible value.
\nThe Christmas Tree was decorated with ornaments that were breathtaking to the human eye. Over 181 ornaments of gold and precious stones, including diamonds, pearls, emeralds and sapphires, hung from the boughs of the tree\u2009\u2014\u2009all for a marketing ploy.
\nThe reality is\u2009\u2014\u2009a higher, more permanent record has listed another tree as the most expensive tree in the world. Again, what gave the tree its value was what hung on the tree. In fact, the world\u2019s most expensive tree so far outstrips the value of the Abu Dhabi tree that it almost seems like poor taste to attempt a comparison.<\/p>\n

The World\u2019s Most Expensive Tree<\/h3>\n

The pearls, the glittering gold, the flashing diamonds and all the ornaments on that tree is dollar-store cheap when contrasted to the world\u2019s most expensive tree.
\nThe costliest tree of the ages was not mounted in the lobby of a luxury hotel to be viewed by admiring eyes. The tree was mounted on the top of a barren little hill outside of Jerusalem. It looked more like a pole or a cross than an actual tree. No matter what angle you viewed it from\u2009\u2014\u2009there was nothing pleasing to the natural eye.
\nIn fact, this tree had all the markings of human brutality on it. The polished veneer of good taste was nowhere to be seen. Those who passed by sneered and mocked. The world\u2019s most expensive tree was of no value to most.<\/p>\n

Infinite Value<\/h3>\n

The wood from the tree is not what gave it value. It was the hanging on the tree that drove its value through the roof of earth and up to heaven itself. What was hanging on that tree was of infinite value\u2009\u2014\u2009far above the price of diamonds, silver and gold. Tears come to the eye at the very thought of it.
\nA man beaten and bruised hung upon that tree. Yes, death by crucifixion was the Roman way of executing the worst of criminals\u2009\u2014\u2009but this man was innocent. He was perfect. This man had been stripped of His clothes. His back was slashed open from a horrific beating. Men had repeatedly spewed their spit in His face and threw their punches at Him, even pounding His head with a rod as they blindfolded Him. Then the ultimate insult reserved for those who had committed the most despicable crimes: they nailed His hands and feet with spikes to a cross\u2009\u2014\u2009a tree\u2009\u2014\u2009and left Him to die.<\/p>\n

His Name Was Jesus<\/h3>\n

Through all of the torture, not a threatening word came from His lips. Not a flash of anger from His eyes\u2009\u2014\u2009nothing but love. From that tree He prayed to God and said: Father, forgive them.
\nYou need to know something else about that tree. There God placed upon Jesus the heaviest load of all\u2009\u2014\u2009He put Him there to die for us, to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us. He offered Himself there to take God\u2019s holy wrath and judgment for our sins in place of us. God \u201cmade Him to be sin for us\u201d<\/strong> (2 Corinthians 5:20).
\nThe Apostle Peter wrote: \u201cWho His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree\u201d<\/strong> (1 Peter 2:24). He also said: \u201c[You] were\u2009\u2026\u2009redeemed\u2009\u2026\u2009not with corruptible things, as silver and gold\u2009\u2026\u2009but with the precious blood of Christ\u201d<\/strong> (1 Peter 1:18-19).
\nAt the end, just before Jesus died, He triumphantly cried with a very loud voice: \u201cIt is finished!\u201d<\/strong> (John 19:30). He then bowed His head, delivered up His spirit and died. What was it that Jesus finished? Jesus paid my sin debt by dying on the tree. \u201cPaid in full\u201d is the equivalent phrase in the Greek language. His precious blood flowed freely. You too can claim its value and say your sins are \u201cpaid in full.\u201d
\nWithout question, that tree is the most expensive tree of all times because of \u201cWho\u201d hung upon it and \u201cwhat\u201d He accomplished there for our sins.<\/p>\n

Which Tree Means the Most to You?<\/h3>\n

Which tree is of greater value to you\u2009\u2014\u2009the one elaborately decorated that will only make it to the Guinness World Records or the one recorded in the Bible as the tree upon which sins were paid for by precious blood that flowed from the innocent and holy One\u2009\u2014\u2009the Lord Jesus Christ?
\nEveryone going to heaven appreciates, in a very personal sense, what happened on that tree. This will be the best moment of your entire life, if you, for the first time, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Savior.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

t was recognized by the Guinness Book as the world\u2019s most expensive tree and cost over $11 million. There was nothing cheap about the Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The bare-bones tree cost at least $10,000, but it\u2019s what hung on the 43 ft. (13 m) high … <\/p>\n

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