The Easter Dogwood

 

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is ethe power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ESV).

 

When I was the pastor of Santa Fe Baptist Church in Tennessee we were able to celebrate Easter with many traditions. One tradition that we began was the placing of a large cross in front of the church for Palm Sunday. It was draped in purple cloth for the week, however, on Easter Sunday morning while we worshipped, it would be decorated with hundreds of flowers covering the entire cross. We also had a very special floral centerpiece placed on the altar at the front of the sanctuary. Our dear friend, Brenda Potts, would make the arrangement from flowering limbs off the dogwood trees in her yard. It was a beautiful reminder of the life and joy we celebrated on that special Holy Day. The Dogwood blossoms were of special significance because of the prevailing legend surrounding this tree and the crucifixion.

 

The legend, and I emphasize the word “legend” as there is no Scriptural reference to support this, is interesting. It is said that during Jesus’ day, the dogwood was a strong, sturdy tree with a thick trunk. As such, it was the ideal wood for crosses. After Christ’s crucifixion, the dogwood—ashamed and distressed to have been an instrument of Jesus’ death—made a plea to God to never be used in such a horrible way again. So, God made the dogwood tree much smaller, and though the wood remained strong, it was never again thick enough or strong enough to use for making crosses. But the memory of the crucifixion would remain in its blooms to remind us all of the cross. The dogwood flower would have four petals to symbolize the cross, the tips stained red at the ends for the bloodied head, hands, and feet of Jesus.

 

While it is mere legend, it is a wonderful symbol reminding us of the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus. I find it interesting that the Apostle Paul would write that the concept of a cross is foolishness to those who are not believers in our reading. It does sound hard to believe without faith. However, with the awakening and the faith that comes with it to the children of God, it is just what you would expect from God’s creation. Hear the Apostle Paul on this truth:

 

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21 ESV).

 

That day was revealed on the first Easter!