Roses and Thorns

Revelation 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."

As the Lenny LeBlanc song goes, “Like a rose, trampled on the ground, He took the fall, and He thought of me…above all.”

While a beautiful, poetic lyric, it also defines exactly Who Christ was - in a form we can all relate to. Jesus WAS a rose.

Gentle and beautiful, fragile yet strong, wonderfully made, wonderfully aromatic - and -  crushed.

Who would crush a rose?

The trial and crucifixion of Jesus was the greatest act of evil in the history of mankind. That man could murder their Loving God come in the flesh is appalling, disgusting, embarrassing and shameful.

In committing deicide, (the murder of God,) men revealed themselves to be thorns. What a stark contrast…between the rose, and its thorns.

Prior to the commission of the crucifixion, Jesus looked very much like any other man. It was through the crucifixion Jesus was finally seen as the Rose.

And then…He rose indeed!

No one desires trial and tribulation. In fact, we hate it with every fiber of our being. But there is a necessary separation that takes place in the crucible, and this is what Jesus is saying to the church in Smyrna.

Jesus foresees 10 separate waves of persecution which will take place under ten proceeding Roman emperors. (“You will have tribulation ten days.”) Hundreds of thousands of Christians would be killed prior to Christianity becoming the accepted faith of the Roman dynasty.

Only those who were genuine in their faith were martyred. (Roses.) Also present in the church during those days were those who claimed faith but were actually followers of Satan. (Thorns.) Only tribulation would truly reveal the distinction.

-Pastor Bill