John 20: 1-16;
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 20:1-16 NIV
Mary supposing Him to be the gardener! She was not wrong in this assumption, for Jesus is the Creator of all the lovely flowers. He was the One who created the Garden of Eden for the first couple as seen in the book of,
Genesis 2: 8-10; And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
You and me. Aren’t we just like flower..?? beautifully and fearfully created..
Intricate, fragile, yet aromatic and soulful..
The Lord God is the creator of flowers, and in this message let us suppose that He likens people to flowers. Many ways that we can compare to flowers to their character of life.
Let me talk about some flowers..
(1) The Rose
Our first flower is the rose. It is found two times in Scripture.
First we see the rose in Song of Solomon 2:1; I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
The next time a rose is mentioned is in the book of Isaiah 35:1; The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
Have you ever given a rose to someone??
When I think of a rose, I think of the beautiful fragrance it gives.
Lovers.
I think of it’s texture of each petal, and the color of the flower. They come in many colors today, Red, yellow, white, and various other colors.
I know people who are similar to the rose, they have a beautiful fragrance, beautiful color and wonderful in texture, but like the rose they have thorns on their stems.
Many Christians are like a rose in this aspect too. They may look spiritual, smell spiritual, but at the stem they too have thorns. I have known people who seemed to be Spirit filled Christians who later showed their thorns. They were not the spiritual Christian as I first thought.
Another thing
About roses is that they wilt under great heat. The hot sun of summer will cause them to droop and eventually fall to the ground. Does this remind you of any Christians you have met?
(2) The John Quill or Buttercups
James 1:12; Read out
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Isaiah 40:6-8; The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
The reality..
2) second type of flowers
This flowers are the first ones usually seen just before spring.
Back In school there use to be a big dedicated land for garden just near the main school building and the gardener would garden it throughout the year and you will see nothing..
But just as the winter arrives the whole garden comes to life..
I like to think of these flowers as John The Baptist flowers.
Their message is that Spring is on the way.
Just as John the Baptist was the fore runner of the Lord Jesus. I have met some of this kind of Christians, no matter what the weather is they are proclaiming that the Lord Jesus is coming. Nothing can stop them from their ministry of winning others to the Saviour. Jesus is coming! Get ready people!
These flowers bloom in the winter and stands through it..
Even in the harshest winter..
No matter what they bloom..they bloom..
Are you such?
(3) Morning Glories
John 15: 1-8.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:1-8
The morning glory flower is a pretty flower, but the vines on which they grow can cause a lot of trouble to those who have gardens.
There are many types of it..
One such is a yellow trumpet shaped flower which we use to take it to school for our teachers, specially the lady teachers..
They were pretty when the were in full bloom, but when the sun came up those pretty flowers would close and the vines..
Another such ones are blue and many other colours but what they do is when the would wind themselves around the corn or any other vegetable in the garden.
You and I both have known some Christians that are like morning glories. Open bloom for a while, but when the sun comes up their flower closes and they are nothing but choking vines..
And probably bloom the next day..
(4) carnivorous flowers..
Mark 5:38;
While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
Mark 5:35-42
Look at what the people said..
This people with Jesus.. accepted him as teacher.. they knew Jesus have been doing miracles..
but probably they overlooked what Jesus can do and they at once immediately discouraged the one who came to him seeking help ..
You will find people as such around you..
Their opinion will undermine you for what you can achieve..
Their opinion will underestimate and limit you in all that you are capable of..
And they will even limit who God is for you..
What did Jesus did..he overheard them..
He didn’t listen to them.. overheard meaning he didn’t even cared what they said..
Our God is limitless God.. beyond urs and mine understanding..all that we know is all that the Bible says us..
Let us not limit God.. he can work miracles for you and me..if you come to Him regardless of how hopeless the situation is..
(5) Lilies
Our last flower today is the Lilly. There are many Scriptures which speak of this flower. Verses such as;
Matthew 6:28-30
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
The lilies were a part of the temple ornaments. They were also used on the altar of brass in the temple..
Even Solomon mentioned them in His song, Song of Solomon 5:13; His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
Even the most wealthy man who lived was not clothed as they are, so why should the child of god be so concerned about the material things. If we will obey the Word of God, and Seek the Kingdom of God first, then all these things shall be added unto us.
So what type of a flower are you in God’s Garden?
Remember you and me..we are just like a flower.. intricate, fragile, filled with emotions,
Into a momentary existence in this physical world but yet aromatic, loved and soulful..
Gardened God himself..
Just to be a unique flower in His garden..
You are unique..and God loves you..
Let’s try to be the best of the flower this season..
Are you a part of the family of God today? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? If not, come to Him now, confess him as yours right now
