The Legend of the Dogwood At the time of the Crucifixion the dogwood attained the size of the oak and other forest trees. So strong and firm was the wood of it that it was chosen for the timber of the Cross. To be thus used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus smiled upon it, sensed this and in His gentle pity for sorrow said to it: "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, I make you this promise: Never again shall the dogwood tree grow big enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross-two long petals and two short petals-and in the center of the outer edge of each petal there shall be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with blood. And in the center of the flower there shall be an image of the crown of thorns and all who see it will remember it was upon a dogwood tree that I was crucified, and this tree shall not be mutilated or destroyed, but cherished as a reminder of my death upon the cross. "For the message of the cross...is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18) The story of the dogwood is a story of symbolism.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 22:06:34 +0000
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