Say a prayer before you sleep. Let His gracious love surround you as, without a care, you drift into sleep. This is your time now to revitalize your mind, body and soul. All the thoughts that directed your words and actions through the day can now be let go. Your mind will now roam the shadowy world of half recognized ideas and images.
You are older now. The years have marched along with you in step some of the time. However, there were times when you were completely out of it. Where sleep in the past was an easy journey into rest, nowadays it is a time with interrupted periods of sleep. On a given night, you might be up for the bathroom only once. Other nights, it will be three or four times. And always in the morning, your sleep is the deepest and coming out of that is the biggest work of all.
Still you come to Him for rest.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
A reader of my blog posts asked if a serpent wrapped around a staff in a doctor’s office is related to the ancient healing practice used by Moses for everyone bitten by serpents.
“Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” (Numbers 21:6-9, ESV)
Interestingly, Jesus referred to this same event as a metaphor for spiritual healing as well.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15, ESV)
Are these two biblical accounts related to the serpent wrapped around a staff in your doctor’s office? Probably not.
The Internet Encyclopedia’s identified this symbol as the staff of Aesculapius which has long been a symbol of medicine, and today is the official insignia of the American Medical Association. Aesculapius was the god of medicine in Greek and Roman mythology, and the snake was his symbol. By the fifth century b.c. several temples to Aesculapius were active in Greece 1
A Jewish authority points to two ancient sources for the modern medical symbol.
There are actually two slightly different symbols of snakes coiled around a staff that have come to be associated with the medical profession. Both seem to come from Greek mythology.
There is the single snake coiled around a staff, which is meant to symbolize the staff of the pagan god of healing, known as Asklepios in Greece and Aesculapius in Rome.
And then there is the symbol of a staff with two snakes and wings. This one is referred to as a caduceus and is meant to symbolize the staff of the Greek messenger god Hermes, also known as Mercury. This symbol eventually also became associated with medicine.
So it seems that both symbols are associated with pagan idolatry. 2
For Christians, however, the bronze serpent, has its significance in miraculous healing by Almighty God. Because of Christ’s reference to it, the bronze serpent points to the cross where Jesus died thus providing spiritual healing to all who look upon it, accepting its covering over their sins.
The Jamison-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary highlighted the stunning parallels between the incident of the serpent draped on a staff and Jesus Christ on the cross:
“The venom of the fiery serpents, shooting through the veins of the rebellious Israelites, was spreading death through the camp… [an] emblem of the perishing condition of men by reason of sin. In both cases the remedy was divinely provided. In both the way of cure strikingly resembled that of the disease. Stung by serpents, by a serpent they are healed… 3
It continues pointing out that as the uplifted serpent was without venom, healing those who look up to it, so too Christ was without any sin, spiritually healing those who look up to Him. Because of Christ’s making the connection, the symbol has become a very important pointer to healing for followers of Jesus.
Therefore, whoever looks to Him as Savior can be reminded of this truth whenever they see the snake emblem in a doctor’s office. Remembering this, could possibly provide calm while he or she is waiting to see that practitioner.
In 2019 as my date with a heart surgeon approached, I asked for a prayer for me just before I went in. A chaplain stopped and in his prayer referred to hospitals as places of healing. This calmed me down almost immediately. Instead of focusing on the pain and difficulties I might experience afterward, I was able think about my new health the surgery would provide. I am grateful for doctors, nurses, surgeons and chaplains who continue the healing envisioned in the serpent on a staff from all these various traditions.
“The cross is one of the oldest and most universal of all symbols [for Christians]. It is, of course, the perfect symbol of Christ because of his sacrifice upon the cross. In a broader sense, however, the cross has become the mark or sign of the Christian religion, the emblem of atonement, and the symbol of salvation and redemption through Christianity…The crucifix is a representation of Christ on the cross.” 1
There are many variations of the cross, but the two chief ones are the Latin cross which shows a longer upright bar than the horizontal. The Greek cross shows both bars of equal length.
The cross is sometimes worn as an adornment of jewelry, but St. Paul wrote about it in a differently, wonder filled way. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 2
For Jesus followers the cross has deep and important significance. It was the place where Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. Crucifixion is a “method of capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross or beam and left to hang until eventual death…It was used as a punishment by the Persians, Carthaginians and Romans, among others. Crucifixion has been used in parts of the world as recently as the 21st century” 3 For Christians, scripture shares the meaning of Jesus’ violent death as an atonement (covering) for sins. The “Son of Man” was made “to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”4
A crucifix (from the Latin cruci fixus meaning ‘(one) fixed to a cross’) is a cross with an image of Jesus on it, as distinct from a bare cross. The representation of Jesus himself on the cross is referred to in English as the corpus (Latin for ‘body’)
There are many groups of Christians who use crucifixes in their churches (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, and Anglicans). The symbol demonstrates the cruel death Jesus died to provide redemption for all who believe and receive its truth. 3
It is a curiosity to Christian scholars why images of the cross or crucifixion did not appear in the early centuries after Christ’s departure. Some speculate that the early believers did not want to portray their Savior in so shocking a way. Others speculate that portraying Christ on a cross would actually profane the mystery of the Son of God.
Today, those of us who identify as Jesus followers view the cross or crucifix as a reminder of the complete cost to Jesus to secure forgiveness of sins. And Jesus willingly paid it. The sight of a cross or crucifix then is one of the most important symbols to Jesus followers, reminding us of the cost to Him, but also a reminder that each follower is called to take up his or her own cross and follow Him. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11, ESV).
Rather than merely observing the symbol as a representation of some distant event, the cross/crucifix can serve as a reminder that to follow Jesus involves dying to self. A man who personified this in his life was Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4 February 1906 – 9 April 1945) a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident. He expressed his belief with these words: “Disciples will not be weakened by suffering, worn down, and embittered until they are broken. Instead, they bear suffering, by the power of him who supports them. The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross. As bearers of suffering, they stand in communion with the Crucified.” Bonhoeffer was martyred for his stand against Hitler shortly before the end of World War 2.
“Signs and Symbols in Christian Art,” George Ferguson (p.164, 166)
Why do Christians use lilies at Easter in their churches and even in their homes? As a minister, every Easter the front of our church held a number of Easter Lily’s in full bloom. They gave off a strong fragrance which, if I am honest, actually bothered my allergies. I still, however, appreciated their beauty but did not know of and appreciate their religious symbolism.
“Christianity’s most important holiday is rich in symbols, some secular, some religious, from the Easter bunny who brings treats and toys to children, to the Easter lily, a tall, stalky plant topped by graceful, trumpet-shaped blooms. But while the fragrant flower that fills churches and homes come Easter might seem simply a beautiful decoration welcoming springtime, over the course of its fascinating history it has come to feature a far deeper connotation. Today’s Easter lily meaning is most commonly tied to the Bible and even Jesus Christ himself.”
This same website also goes on to point to a closer connection to Jesus Christ. White Lilies embody purity, the trumpet shaped blooms seem to be horns announcing the good news of Christ’s resurrection. Also, the life cycle of an Easter Lily, which spends several years beneath the earth before coming into full blossom, is very much like Our Lord’s time in the ground after his crucifixion and then his bursting forth in absolute glory on Easter morning.
Lilies are mentioned a few times in the Bible
“My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.” (Song of Solomon 2:16, ESV)
“I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;” (Hosea 14:5)
In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus refers to the beauty of lilies: “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28, ESV)
Beautiful lilies then are visible signs that Almighty God will take care of each of us. Are we not more valuable than a lily? Therefore, we need never worry about our future.
I invite the reader the next time he or she sees an Easter Lily to study the white purity of the flower, notice the trumpet shape announcing the resurrection of our Lord, and take in again the blessed hope of our own that comes to everyone who embraces Jesus as LORD and Savior. The Easter Lily is a physical reminder that death is not the end for anyone who believes and trusts in the LORD.
The six-pointed star is a symbol seen throughout the world since the beginning of history. It has had different names, depending on what religion or belief system it appears in.
In the book “Symbols: Signposts of Devotion,” Dr. Ratha Doyle McGee describes two main star symbols for Christians.
The first is called the Creator Star which consists of two equal sided triangles, one placed on top facing down on another facing up. The three sided angles represent the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit all present as a unity at the moment of creation.
The second is a five-pointed star which has a few different names: Star of Epiphany, Star of Jacob, Star of Jesse or the Star of Bethlehem. The Star of Epiphany is most often applied to this symbol. However, there is an interesting other possibility for this star. It is also sometimes a symbol for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hebrew version of the name Mary is Miriam which means star.
For Jews, the six-pointed star is the Star of David and appears on the flag of Israel. Consisting of two overlaid equal sided triangles, it is also called the “Shield of David.” In the Bible it was King David who united the tribes of Israel.
During the Holocaust of WWII, Jews were forced to wear the Star of David to identify themselves. If they failed to do this, they were punished. Some came to believe that this requirement for Jews actually strengthened the significance of the star, adding elements of martyrdom to its meaning.
For a Christian, looking at the star symbol can be a reminder that God has been, is now, and will forever be, intimately linked to His creation.
According to Apple Dictionary, a dove is “a stocky seed- or fruit-eating bird with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate than pigeons, but many kinds have been given both names.” Doves are mentioned in the Bible. It was a dove that brought an olive leaf in its mouth to Noah which told him the waters had gone down. In the Law of Moses, doves were declared to be pure and were used as an offering for the purification of a newborn child.
The International Bible Encyclopedia also notes: “Solomon uses the dove repeatedly in comparison or as a term of endearment. In Son 1:15; Son 4:1; Son 5:12, he compares the eyes of his bride full, tender, beautiful, with those of a dove. In Son 2:12 he uses the voice of the dove as an indication of spring. In Son 2:14 he addresses the bride as a rock dove, In Son 5:2 is another term of endearment, this time used in the dream of the bride (compare Son 6:9).”
Probably the most important use of the dove symbol is that of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’en baptism, all four gospel accounts describe the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove that came down from heaven. For example: Mark 1:9-11 (English Standard Version) In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. [11] And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
As a represention of the Holy Spirit, a dove is meant to impart a sense of holy purity and innocence in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit is the force of God gently drawing a person into loving experiences with Him. Each time we notice this symbol in church or in their home, it is there to a remind us of the path of purification and holiness God has placed every believer on.
The dove is an emblem of purity and harmlessness (Matthew 10:16), and the form of the dove at Jesus’ baptism signified that the Spirit in Jesus was one of holiness and innocence.
The dove is a great symbol of God’s grace in each believer’s life. The following poem, from https://www.christart.com expresses the gratitude of a man deeply aware of this truth. He put into words what we all may feel.
According to “Symbols: Signposts of Devotion,” by Dr. Ratha Doyle McGee, the connection between the symbol of fish and scriptures is “somewhat obscure.” It might connect to the story in Luke Chapter 24 where Jesus is eating a piece of fish after the resurrection. The author also points out “The fish was used as a method of conveying a message to another Christian without the message being understood by the Roman police.” Upon meeting another person, a Christian would draw a curved line in the sand and the other person, if a Christian, would draw another curved line opposite the first which made a rough outline of a fish. Thus each Christian could relax and talk freely about their faith.
Also, Dr. McGee wrote that each Greek letter in the word for fish (Icthus) could stand for a word in the sentence: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
Iota=Iesous or Jesus
Chi=Khristos or Anointed
Theou=of God
Uios=Son
Soter=Savior
So in this context, the word for fish in the original Greek, corresponded to the Church’s understanding of who Jesus of Nazareth actually is.
In the book “Understanding Early Christian Art,” Dr. Robin Margaret Jensen found in her research a connection so strong between the fish symbol and baptism, it “begins to become impossible to factor them out.” She goes on to point out “Beginning in the fourth century, western baptismal fonts were often called ‘fish ponds.’
The symbol of a fish has a strong background in Christianity which might be worth discovering again. It, like other symbols of our faith, is a meaning-filled representation of our commitment to and trust in Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
In the 1970’s, in California, during the “Jesus Revolution” many Christians placed a small fish decal somewhere on their automobiles as a witness of their commitment to Christ. For some, the motivation for placing the decal on their car may have been from peer pressure. For others placing a fish on his/her car was a serious matter. From then on, he/she had to reflect Christ in their driving and in their life.
These days one might see an occasional car with a fish or the word Jesus lettered in a way to resemble a fish. If more Christians had fish decals on their cars, would that make a difference in our country and in our world? If interested, look online. There are Jesus/Fish decals available on eBay and Amazon to name a few.
Water is a symbol of cleansing and purifying. In Christian baptism, water is used to signify a cleansing from sin. Also, in some denominations, it is a sign of the newness of life for a believer. The use of water in baptism varies widely. Some believers sprinkle the water from a baptismal fount, while others immerse the individual partially or even completely in a tank. Some believers use baptism of infants as a sign that the child is part of a special covenant (agreement) with God. Others believe that baptism is a sign of faith and so reserve it until the individual is able to acknowledge their faith before the church. Their baptism is an outward sign of an inward change.
While the New Testament proclaims baptism to be a sign of all believers’ unity in Christ, the meaning and practice of it has become a source for division. The apostle Paul wrote: Ephesians 4:4-6 (English Standard Version) “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”And in another place, Paul wrote: Galatians 3:27-28 (ESV) “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Without dwelling on the differences about baptism’s meaning and practices, it is more useful to look at it’s promises. The baptism of a child or an adult is a sign and seal of God’s promises…to forgive our sins, to adopt us into the Body of Christ, the Church, and to send the Holy Spirit to renew and cleanse us and, in the future, bring that new life to completion in the eternity of Heaven.
The water in baptism is a visible sign of God promises.
The Anchor Bible Dictionary in looking specifically at the importance of baptism says “Such cleansings can take place on the verge of a new state in life or in entering into a community or upon a new phase of life”
So as water has the ability to cleanse a person or thing, likewise water in baptism signifies a purification of an individual who is entering a new phase in their life.
In the church I attend, there was an elder who has since passed away. Before the sacrament was administered on an adult or child this elder always scooped up a pitcher full of water and forcefully poured it into a bowl resulting in the water making loud splashing noises and spilling on to the floor. This was deliberately done to emphasize the overwhelming, cleansing grace of God given to the one being baptized.
With this reading, spend a few minutes to acknowledge that the water in each baptism is a beautiful sign of God’s promises over that life.
In the movie “Rome Adventure” the character played by Troy Donahue explains to the character played by Suzanne Pleshette, that the reason churches used art in the past was that most people could not read. Art was a a means of communicating biblical truths. Ironically today, many church goers who can read, may not understand and appreciate what they see portrayed in religious symbols, stained glass, or other forms of Christian art. One of the purposes of this current theme is to highlight the meaning behind a few important ones so we all can have a deeper spiritual appreciation of them.
So far we have looked at lit candles (symbol for Christ), cups (symbol of Christ’s accepting His oncoming death), anchors (symbol that faith in Christ is a source of stability for our life) and bread (symbol of the body of Christ).
In this blog we are looking at the symbol of a shepherd. Christians refer to Jesus as the Good Shepherd because that’s how He characterized Himself: John 10:11-15 (ESV) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Many leaders have devoted followers, but how many leaders would lay down their life for their loyal fans? Jesus contrasted himself to the hired hand who, when the wolf approaches, takes off. Jesus did not run away from the Cross, but gladly took it upon Himself and with it, the sins of the world.
In his commentary, Adam Clarke shows how a shepherd takes care of his sheep:
“God condescends to call himself the Shepherd of his people, and his followers are considered as a flock under his guidance and direction.
1. He leads them out and in, so that they find pasture and safety.
2. He knows where to feed them, and in the course of his grace and providence leads them in the way in which they should go.
3. He watches over them and keeps them from being destroyed by ravenous beasts.
4. If any have strayed, he brings them back.
5. He brings them to the shade in times of scorching heat; in times of persecution and affliction, he finds out an asylum for them.
6. He takes care that they shall lack no manner of thing that is good.”
In the church I pastored in New York State, there was a colorful, stained glass picture of the Good Shepherd holding a little lamb in His arms. One of the members of that church always sat so she could look at that picture during the service. It always reminded her of the special care and protection she had because of her faith. When we look at the truth behind the picture of a shepherd, it can also give us great comfort and assurance. We are not alone. God is walking beside you and me possibly even carrying us, to help each of us when we feel lost and unsure.
After reading this, I invite you to go back and look at the image of the Good Shepherd with the little sheep walking with Him. Imagine yourself as one of them and realize again, or for the first time, that He still desires to be your Good Shepherd.
According to Wikipedia “Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour (usually wheat) and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history and around the world, it has been an important part of many cultures’ diet. It is one of the oldest human-made foods, having been of significance since the dawn of agriculture, and plays an essential role in both religious rituals and secular culture.”
In Judaism, for example, this prayer is to be said before a meal “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth.” In ancient times in the Temple as instructed, the Jews placed twelve loaves of bread, presumably one for each tribe, in the sanctuary before God’s face. These loaves were called the Bread of Presence, a reminder that God was always with them.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary points out that in the Bible “The word bread is used figuratively in such expressions as “bread of sorrows” (Ps 127:2, “bread of tears” Ps 127:2, i.e., sorrow and tears are like one’s daily bread, they form so great a part in life. The bread of “wickedness” (Prov 4:17) and “of deceit” Prov 20:17) denote in like manner that wickedness and deceit are a part of the daily life.”
For Christians bread plays a very important symbolic part. At the Last Supper, “…as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.'” (Matthew 26:26). With these words, Christ raised the symbolism of bread up to that of a representation of His own body which would be broken during his arrest, “trial”and execution. Realizing this, has given me a new appreciation of the presence of bread in worship. His body was broken that we might have union with God. Can you relate?
Since that time, in worship, Christians have shared bread in what is known as Communion.
So what is a staple in most diets has become for Christians an ultimate symbol of His atonement for sins and our union with Almighty God. It is celebrated in different ways and with different meanings. For some it is merely a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, to others His presence is all around the bread and even within each piece.
Rich Rockwood, Christian Author 