The Fragrance of the Thorns

I like to wear red on Good Friday to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed for me and the color of the love that fully paid the debt of my sins.  On this Good Friday, as I was taking my dog out for her early morning walk, I came across a thorn tree and pondered on how a rose, such a beautiful, fragrant flower, can yield such piercing, painful thorns. As a believer that there are no co-incidences when it comes to God’s creation, I think it was to remind us that there is always something good in everything that we might consider to be bad. 

When we reflect on the pain Jesus had to endure when the crown of thorns was pressed and pierced into His skill, so can imagine His red blood dripping down His face, and we can share in His agony on this very dreadful ‘bad’ day. What makes this painful Friday ‘good’ is what Jesus’s death did for us.  Were it not for Jesus’s unselfish sacrifice, our relationship with God could not have been restored.  Jesus died to pay the full price of our sins, to purchase our righteousness as a free gift of our salvation.    

The rose epitomizes that fact that there is goodness amidst the bad. In life there are things we deem to be pleasant (roses) but also the things we dislike and can harm us (thorns).  I love it that God gave roses such a beautiful scent, as a reminder to us that our pain produces a fragrance that will always turn bad things into good. And how fitting that a red rose has become the symbol of everlasting love. 

So to go back to Good Friday, what makes that Friday good is to see that day through the lens of what Jesus’s death achieved for our good, and the love with with He did it with.  Death was conquered on that day and through Jesus, our old nature can be crucified and put to death too.

Christmas Love

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas this year, I was reminded about how the colour red is so significant to this festive season. The red and white outfit of Santa or Father Christmas may be what comes to mind, but for me, red is also the colour of love and the blood of Jesus, the son of our Heavenly Father.

The popular verse of John 3:16 is not often referred to at Christmas time, yet when you think about it, it is the real reason for the season – that God loved us so much that He gave us His beloved Son, so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but be gifted with eternal life. To put it plainly, Jesus is God’s gift of love to us, and even though many may argue that He was not actually born on the 25th December, it is a day set aside for us to remember His birth and what it means to us.

So as we start to sing Christmas Carols and begin to enjoy in the spirit of the festivities over the coming month, let us ponder this miracle gift that has restored us back to God and let us consider what gift we will give Him in return this year…

Wishing you all a meaningful and joyous Christmas season, full of God's hope and peace, found in the blessings of His ‘presents’ and His presence…

I leave you with this poem I wrote as a reminder of the true reason for the season… 

 

Christmas

Christmas is not just a happy holiday,
Or a time for festive greetings.
It’s a very special occasion indeed,
To enjoy time in family meetings.

Christmas is not about the presents,
Or when Christmas Carols are sung.
It’s a time to spend in Jesus’s presence,
And think what He’s birth has done.

Christmas is not about the feast,
Of flowing spirits and luxury food.
It’s a time to remember His birth,
And remain in a peace-filled mood.

Christmas is not about decorating a tree,
Or sending cards to all we know.
It’s about a birth that sets us free,
And for this, our joy should show.

Christmas is not a time for fuss or stress,
Rushing to find the perfect present.
We should think more of those we can bless,
And remain still in Jesus’s presence.

So set a time on Christmas morning,
To take time and thank God for Jesus.
For when Jesus is the reason for the season,
Love, hope and peace will fill your Christmas.

 https://poetrybysam.blogspot.com/2021/12/christmas.html