Legend of the Dogwood



Many years ago, a dogwood tree grew on a hill outside Jerusalem. In those days, the dogwood tree was as tall
and mighty as an oak, and this tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods, and extremely proud of its strength.

"Something wonderful is going to happen to me," it said to anyone who would listen. "I'll probably become the mast that holds the big sail on a grand ship, or the main timber supporting a great house."

Unfortunately, the huge old dogwood was cut down to become the cross to which Jesus was nailed. The tree was horrified. All its dreams of glory were smashed, and it groaned in agony as two boards
from its trunk were nailed together.

Jesus took pity on the tree, even as he carried it to Calvary. "You will never be put to such use again," He told it. "From this day on, your shape will change, even as will the world. You will become
slender and sway easily with the breeze. And instead of acorns, you will bear flowers in the shape of a cross... with
two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal,
there will be nail prints... brown with rust and red with bloodstains to show the world how you have suffered."



"Last of all, the center of your flowers will be marked as though with a crown of thorns to remind people forevermore, that you and I spent our last moments together." And so it was. And so it is. ~ Author Unknown ~

Credit for above goes to Easter Poems and Stories, but photos are my own. To enlarge photos to observe detail, simply click on the photo.

For today's "Name of God on Rocks" post, click HERE!