A Bouquet of Roses

1 Thessalonians 4:14a-For we believe that Jesus died and rose again (NIV).

The white innocent rose first draws us, and then a modest peach cousin adds a splash of color.

Isaiah 53:2b- He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him (NIV).

There is an unconscious beauty in a dark red bloom.

Psalm 50:2-From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

The yellow reaches forth its petals in friendship.

Luke 5:20-When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

A coral one hints of desire.

Matthew 9:13-But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

At first, we respond with the orange petals of enthusiasm.

2 Corinthians 9:2b-your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action (NIV).

We add the dark pink of thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7- So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

But in no time at all, we drift into the blue petals of the impossible, asking “How can this be?”

Hebrews 11:6-And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Finally, we stumble upon the black rose of His death.

Mark 15:25-It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.

We hibernate in the lavender one of mourning.

Zechariah 12:10b-They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

But then the most beautiful rose in history appears. The Son of God rose from the dead!

Acts 10:41-He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

And He offers us that that single red rose, real love. He points to the thornless stem, the sign of love at first sight. We see His crown of thorns and we choose Him.

Prayer: Father God, thanks for the Resurrection Rose of your Son-Jesus Christ. Amen.