Devotion: Resurrection Lilies
Take a moment to read the weekend’s scripture: Matthew 28:1-10
Lycoris Squamigera, that is the Latin name of a lily that grew in my Grandma’s garden. She called them “Surprise Lilies.” Others have called them “Resurrection Lilies.” Here in Nebraska I’ve also heard gardeners call them by another name. They are a most unique and perhaps even strange lily. Most lilies grow on leafy stems, but not this one. This lily starts out as a growth of foliage and then it dies away. It is from this lifeless foliage that long, leafless stems grow straight up. When I would glance in my Grandma’s garden, it looked like she had placed long sticks straight into the ground. And then suddenly beautiful pink trumpet blossoms would appear at the end of these stems.
The name “Resurrection Lily” fits so well. Where once there was only death, life grows straight up and, out of nowhere, there is beauty and life. They rise and shine. They are certainly a surprise in any garden.
When you read or listened to the passage for today, did you notice that two important things happen suddenly? Both are a complete surprise. In verse 2 Matthew writes, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” Then, in verse 9 we read, “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.”
The women had come to the tomb expecting to find death and decay. Instead they are suddenly faced with life. The beautiful, resurrected life of Jesus.
Through the Holy Spirit, our Lord continues to surprise us with resurrected life. Perhaps it’s like the Surprise Lily; where we only see sticks, and then suddenly beautiful blossoms appear. Perhaps we only see the dead foliage, but God continues to bring about life. Through this Easter season and beyond, may our God open our hearts to see where God is actively bringing new life out of death and decay.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for surprising us with new life where we can only see darkness. Continue to break into our lives with your grace and mercy. In your name we pray. Amen
Written by Pastor Michelle Oetken
Pastor Michelle answered God’s call to serve at Sheridan in 2014 and shepherds our ministries of Confirmation, Youth and Young Adults. Her first 15 years of ministry were spent as solo Pastor in McCool Junction and Wausa, NE.
In addition to spending time in the parish, she has also served on the synod boards of NLOM and Global Ministry. Michelle has two beautiful children, Jonathon and Krista. In her spare time, she enjoys growing in her knowledge of American Sign Language, playing piano and crafting.