Tim Tebow: Young People Are Looking for a Meaning That Can ‘Only Be Found’ in Jesus

Tim Tebow Explores New Perspectives in Latest Book

Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner and television analyst, recently shared that his new book began with a provocative question: “If the cross that crucified Jesus could talk, what would it say?”

This thought sparked the creation of If Trees Could Talk (Thomas Nelson), a children’s picture book that presents the story of Jesus’ crucifixion from a fresh viewpoint, featuring illustrations by Rommel Lewis.

The narrative kicks off with a seed that eventually grows into a tree, which dreams of becoming something magnificent—like “a door, a table, even a throne,” as Tebow puts it. It hears about a talented carpenter, contemplating, “Maybe that carpenter can turn me into a masterpiece.” However, when it ends up being cut down for the cross, the tree laments its shattered dreams, thinking, “No, it’s a cross, it’s for criminals. That’s not my purpose. That’s not what I intended.”

Yet, encountering Jesus transforms the tree’s view of the cross.

“He experienced the love of God, and his life transformed due to this meeting with Jesus…” Tebow reflects. The tree, addressing Jesus, expresses its frustration about the crowd mocking Him, saying, “If you give me a voice, I’ll share who you are and tell them about your love.”

Tebow imagines Jesus responding, “Yes, but that’s not your job. Just lift me high.” He envisioned Jesus telling his disciples, “I have commanded them, and their job is to go and tell the world.”

According to Tebow, this new understanding of the cross is profound.

“Ultimately, what God has done has turned the cross—from a sign of shame and guilt, associated with the worst of criminals—into a symbol of hope for people everywhere,” he shared. “God can step in and turn chaos into a message. That’s the essence of the cross. And it’s also reflective of our lives. If the cross holds truth, then so does the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.”

Tebow’s journey includes four years at the University of Florida, where he celebrated two national championships and received a Heisman Trophy before joining the NFL with the Denver Broncos. Nowadays, he’s perhaps best recognized as a football analyst on ESPN and as a strong advocate for various causes, especially his Christian faith.

Recently, he expressed excitement about the revival of faith among college students, which he feels is epitomized by the Unite US movement, attracting over 140,000 students to worship events in just three years.

“I think people are beginning to realize that…social media popularity isn’t everything. Living authentically—accepting who you are inside—matters,” he commented.

“Christianity isn’t just another religion; it’s a relationship that transforms lives—from the lost to the found, from being orphaned to becoming a child of God.”

He believes that young people, in particular, are on a quest for purpose and meaning, which he feels can only be found in Jesus.