The Glory of Spring

Now, we know that those of you born and raised in California think that it gets cold there sometimes. We will not argue with you, but we will say, there is no way that you can know the glory of Spring until experiencing a real winter.

Remember those two weeks or so of gloom and rain that drives most Californians almost to insanity. Now extend that by two to three months for us, more in other parts of the world (God knows our limit). Ok, are you in despair yet for sun and warmth on your face, for a day that begins before 8:30 am and ends after 4:30 pm. Does your winter jacket feel like a straight jacket? By the way, scarves really do keep a person much warmer in the cold, they are not just for fashion.
Do you long to see a color other than grey and search for signs of green on every branch?

Now, try to imagine the first glimpse of the first spring flowers, Daffodils (Ostern Glocken, Easter bells, in German). Bright yellow signs of hope that the deadness of winter is almost gone. Then comes a 'warm day' (above 50 with sun). The there are more flowers, and little buds on the trees. Bright pink and white blooms turning into leaves eventually! Aaahh, sitting outside, with only a sweater on. Renewed energy for the day, hope, plans for the summer, the kids can play outside, for a long time!

Now the prophetic speech that Spring utters to every man. Does it not amaze you the timing of the Passover feast, in Spring. Jesus became the Passover Lamb, fulfilling the feast of the Passover, but He rose again, exemplifying what Spring had been prophesying to men for generations. After the deadness of winter, when one feels that all hope is lost, new life shows itself, hope returns, a future can now be seen. The winter is literally grey, without snow, it is grey. From the color of the sky to the face of the people. The change that spring brings is so dramatic, it can be felt on many levels. However, to us who believe on the resurrected Savior, it should be a vivid reminder of the change God made in our dead grey souls, and the promise of our glorious resurrected future.

"So when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
and this mortal has put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
'Death is swallowed up in victory.'
'O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades where is your victory?
The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God who gives us victory throughour Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore,
my beloved brethren,
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:54-58