“Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree” was the title of a popular song in the 1970s written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown.  It was recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn among others.  The words of the song tell a story from the perspective of a convict who has just been released from prison after a three-year term.  He wants to know if the woman that he loves has forgiven him and if she still loves him.  Previously he had written a letter to his sweetheart with instructions as to how he would know if she still loved him or not.  The instructions make up the chorus of the song:

Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the old oak tree
It’s been three long years
Do you still want me?
If I don’t see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
I’ll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don’t see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree

Would she tie a yellow ribbon around the tree?  Had he been forgiven? Did she still love him, and would she welcome him home?  He could not bear to look…..

But as the bus approached the designated oak, the occupants who were aware of his agonizing situation erupted in cheers and applause.  The man looked and to his astonishment….there was not one, but ONE HUNDRED yellow ribbons tied to the old oak tree!  Because of those ribbons, he knew that she still loved him and welcomed him home. *

Like the man on the bus, WE are sometimes fearful because we are guilty of sin and know that we are to blame.  We wonder, “Can I truly be forgiven for my mistakes?”

There is another tree that reveals God’s answer.  The answer is: “Yes, I love you and will forgive you.”  The “tree” that reveals the answer is the cross of Jesus Christ!   

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  On the cross, He paid the price for OUR sins so that we might have forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

God will forgive those who: believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to forgive those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Through the cross of Christ, God says, “I love you and I forgive you.”

Won’t YOU accept His forgiveness through your trusting obedience?

–David A. Sargent