Robbie and I always place Easter Lilies in the worship center in honor of our parents on Easter Sunday. We owe so much to the faithfulness of John Frank Williams, Maxie Lee Williams, and Gloria Swanson Patterson. We want to think about or parents on Easter Sunday. It is a day in which we reflect on our love for them with gratitude for all they instilled in your lives. They were certainly special people because of their strong faith in Jesus and their enduring example that guides us every day. They truly live on in our hearts.
The Easter Lily is called the “White-Robed Apostle of Hope” because of its fragrance and white appearance symbolizing the purity of Jesus. In classic artwork as far back as the 14th century the angel Gabriel is pictured giving Mary a white lily when she learned that she would conceive and bear a Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The trumpet shape of the Lily demonstrates the sounding hope of the empty tomb. The Easter Lily has meant throughout the centuries that new life is possible by way of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. Lilies are planted into the ground as ugly bulbs and, after a period of three years, they emerge into fragrant flowers. Jesus came forth from the grave after three days. His life was transformed from death into new life prepared for His ascension into glory. The lily represents the transformation of life that is possible through our faith in a risen Savior who lives today at the right hand of God.
It is a rich blessing this morning to remember people who hold a special place in our lives. We especially think about those who taught us about Jesus. Those who loved His word. Our parents who took us to church and showed us how believers are supposed to live pure and Godly lives. The Easter Lily not only tells us good things about Jesus, it represents our heritage through which we continue to live out and proclaim the gospel today.
The Easter Lily is called the “White-Robed Apostle of Hope” because of its fragrance and white appearance symbolizing the purity of Jesus. In classic artwork as far back as the 14th century the angel Gabriel is pictured giving Mary a white lily when she learned that she would conceive and bear a Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The trumpet shape of the Lily demonstrates the sounding hope of the empty tomb. The Easter Lily has meant throughout the centuries that new life is possible by way of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. Lilies are planted into the ground as ugly bulbs and, after a period of three years, they emerge into fragrant flowers. Jesus came forth from the grave after three days. His life was transformed from death into new life prepared for His ascension into glory. The lily represents the transformation of life that is possible through our faith in a risen Savior who lives today at the right hand of God.
It is a rich blessing this morning to remember people who hold a special place in our lives. We especially think about those who taught us about Jesus. Those who loved His word. Our parents who took us to church and showed us how believers are supposed to live pure and Godly lives. The Easter Lily not only tells us good things about Jesus, it represents our heritage through which we continue to live out and proclaim the gospel today.
“Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance and
the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance and
the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
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