My friend Anna Foster took the picture above at left, featuring a Euphorbia milii, also known as a Crown of Thorns or a Christ Plant. Aside from being a beautiful photo, what I really love about this image is that it captures our Easter theology so succinctly. The prominent thorns are a reminder of the suffering that Jesus had to undergo for our sakes, but the bright pink flowers reaching heavenward from the same stem are in perfect juxtaposition, reminding us that life’s beauty and newness cannot be divorced from its sharp edges and sorrowful moments.
Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who turned the cross into a symbol of victory, taking a sign of agony and making it a sign of love through his ultimate sacrifice.
We know that while Easter opens up the door to eternal salvation, it does not protect us from our own crosses. We must pick them up, trusting that God will not leave us to bear the burdens alone. Like the Christ Plant, our lives, too, will blossom with flowers while at the same time carrying the scars of thorns.
Today we cry out Alleluia, He is risen, and we have been saved.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Psalm 118
