It is not stated in the Bible what kind of tree the Cross our Savior hung from was crafted from...it has been said Olive because of the size of the tree and because it populated the region at the time.
Another school of thought states that it was the dogwood tree..
In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."
As you can see...A poem was even written about it.
However, Since Easter has passed, that particular tree has been on my mind. It doesnt matter what type of wood the Cross was made of..it was the destiny of the tree itself that intrigues me.
In a copse of mighty trees stood a tiny sapling, striving towards the sun like a holy man reaching for heaven.
For all intents and purposes, it was just an ordinary little tree. It had bark, like other trees. It had roots and leaves. It had branches and twigs and needed sunlight and water to survive. See? Just like every other tree. When the Angels brought " GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY," announcing the birth of our Lord in the form of a babe in a manger..the little tree stood...still firmly rooted. As he grew and performed miracles ..the tree grew and the branches reached ever higher. Before long men came and and chopped down the tree..It was soon nailed into a cross shape...it gave its existence to become a crucifix for our Savior. As judgement was passed on our Lord , the tree waited in its cross form. As jesus was made to carry it to His place of sacrifice it became saturated in his blood. It shook as the spikes were driven into Jesus's hands and feet and it stood tall as our Messiah hung on its wood, sacrificing himself for our sins and waiting to die. Such a small thing...yet so great a symbol. The little sapling never knew it would play a part in shaping our world, our belief, or show us how GREAT the love God had for us..by giving his only son.
How wonderful that we can now say..." Why do you look for the living among the dead?! He is not here! He is RISEN!"
Another school of thought states that it was the dogwood tree..
In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."
As you can see...A poem was even written about it.
However, Since Easter has passed, that particular tree has been on my mind. It doesnt matter what type of wood the Cross was made of..it was the destiny of the tree itself that intrigues me.
For all intents and purposes, it was just an ordinary little tree. It had bark, like other trees. It had roots and leaves. It had branches and twigs and needed sunlight and water to survive. See? Just like every other tree. When the Angels brought " GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY," announcing the birth of our Lord in the form of a babe in a manger..the little tree stood...still firmly rooted. As he grew and performed miracles ..the tree grew and the branches reached ever higher. Before long men came and and chopped down the tree..It was soon nailed into a cross shape...it gave its existence to become a crucifix for our Savior. As judgement was passed on our Lord , the tree waited in its cross form. As jesus was made to carry it to His place of sacrifice it became saturated in his blood. It shook as the spikes were driven into Jesus's hands and feet and it stood tall as our Messiah hung on its wood, sacrificing himself for our sins and waiting to die. Such a small thing...yet so great a symbol. The little sapling never knew it would play a part in shaping our world, our belief, or show us how GREAT the love God had for us..by giving his only son.
How wonderful that we can now say..." Why do you look for the living among the dead?! He is not here! He is RISEN!"
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