Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

Knowing the history of words can help make them meaningful for us. The word truth comes from the English word true, which comes from the Old English word treowe, which comes from the ancient Indo-European root word drew, which means “tree.” The concept behind the word is that, like a tree, the truth stands straight and firm. The image brings to mind the word of the psalmist in the very first psalm, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, . . . but his delight is in the law of the LORD. . . . He is like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:1a, 2a, 3a). Underscoring the blessedness of being true like a tree, the psalmist states that “the LORD knows the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6a). In this Lenten season of repentance and reflection, we may well take to heart the advice of Paul to his co-worker Timothy, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). May we be trees of truth to the glory of God!