"Why Must Blooms Wither?"

Written by Rob Bailes

Beauty of Spring is all around us!

Have you ever wondered why all those beautiful blooms cover our shrubs and trees in such an array of beauty, but so quickly they fall to the ground and wither away?

I began to think about this in relation to our Saviors life here on earth and how Jesus walked among men, women, teens and children performing miracles that were beyond the wildest dreams. His beauty and glory shined forth in such an array of colors that the world had never seen. It brought hope to people all across the world and little did they know that this man who was so admirable would one day suffer the pain of death and fall as a bloom from it's branch to the ground limp and lifeless. Yes, our Savior Jesus Christ would submit to the laws of God in order that we may have something even more wonderful.

Let's take our thoughts back to the blooms for a minute. As I looked outside this spring, having just celebrated Easter, I saw that many of the blooms on the trees had begun to fall to the ground. They had been so beautiful to behold for about thirty days but soon they will all be gone and the trees will be full of leaves. Could it be that this is our reminder of what Jesus said when the disciples sat around the table with Him consuming the bread and wine? It had only been about thirty years since Jesus had come to bring the beauty of His Father's love; so short lived, yet He had given us to of Himself that His beauty is remembered even today!
Let's look at this scripture and see what Jesus told his disciples,

Mat 26:26-32
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Jesus spoke of the NEW testament and the NEW drink in His father's kingdom or from the Greek this could be said "His Father's rule". He was telling us that a time had come for a new testament (a new disposition or covenant) with man and God. Jesus said that there would be a time when we would share in the new wine with Him. What did He say the wine represented? Look at verse twenty-eight again. He says that this is His blood of the new testament. The new covenant would become a binding agreement once His blood was shed, but he says that the wine would be new under God's reign when He shared it the next time with all who believe in Heaven! I don't know about you, but that excites me my friend! To know that we will partake with Jesus one day!

First though, the bloom must fade and fall to the ground before the new life could spring forth. The new life that brings us more fruit, more timber, more materials for living a life of hope and joy in this world after the beautiful short lived blooms have fallen to the ground. I can't help but see how God has given us a picture of His very own Son's life, burial and resurrection when we look right outside our own doors. We see this in the plants and gardens all across our globe as spring turns into summer. Let us praise Him today for His love and compassion that allows us to celebrate, not only the new life of Jesus, but also the new testament and the new life given to each and every one of us today!

Will we be willing to give of our lives for Christ as He also did for us? Will we be willing to pass this love to others so that they too will see His gift of newness in Christ? I wonder if I could do more to serve the one who blossomed, fell to the ground and withered that my spirit may experience new life. The blooms of life may have fallen from the branches but my life is green with new growth in the light of our Heavenly Father.