Queen Anne's Lace
Then
I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the
throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
If you're like me, a cookie can be an
adventure. With every bite, we may find delicious chocolate chips, plump raisins,
or creamy peanut butter. Did you know that there are precious truths concerning
God that have been "baked" into the universe around us? And with a
little work, we can discover some wonderful things about Jesus, because the
whole earth is full of His glory (Isaiah 6:3). Join me now as we explore an
amazing flower called the Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) in our ongoing
search for the Lord's HIDDEN TREASURES (Colossians 2:3).
The origin of the Queen Anne's Lace can be traced to the country of Afghanistan.
It now grows widely on three continents: Asia, Europe, and North America. Some
consider Daucus carota to be the most beautiful of wildflowers, and I
am convinced that everything about it speaks of Christ and His Gospel. This
flower is said to have gotten its name because England's Queen Anne (1702-1714)
supposedly adorned her hair with its lacy leaves.
Daucus carota is a biennial, which means it flowers after two
summers of growth. In the second year it forms an exquisite flower head,
or umbel. The flower head is actually a large bouquet of minikin white
flowers, each possessing five petals.
God's hands formed the Queen Anne's
Lace, therefore we should not be surprised by what we see under a magnifying
glass. The umbel is a collection of dainty flowers, not haphazardly put together,
but grouped in a wonderful and precise geometric pattern. With close scrutiny,
we hear a message exclaiming the gentle excellence of Jesus. The Daucus carota's
splendid design reflects the message of God's Word showing Him to be beautiful
and gentle (Isaiah 4:2, Matthew 21:5).
The Bible also tells us that Jesus, the wounded Savior, will forever be in the
midst of His people (Revelation 5:6). The Queen Anne's Lace is a marvelous illustration
of this. At the center of the flower's sea of white is a single, blood-tinged
floret.* It is an incredible reminder of God's love-the fragile white flowers
picture the saints, purified in the blood of the Lamb and surrounding Him Who
was slain (represented by this amazing central crimson floret). As Christians,
we are united with Christ, and some day soon we will be like Him, sharing even
the glory of His death (2 Corinthians 3:18)! Is it coincidence, then, that the
tiny flowers of the Queen Anne's Lace at times take on a delicate, sanguine
shade?!
Sadly, there are those naturalists who see the central purple floret of Daucus
carota as a "defect" of the flower. I wonder how many in the world
view the cross as a "defect" of Christianity?
The wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace, is quite prolific. It is capable of taking
over whole fields, carpeting them as white as snow, and reflecting the sufficiency
of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. These flowers richly depict the truth of the
Scriptures (Isaiah 1:18).
We know that Christ's Gospel blooms in undeserving hearts (Romans 3:9-24). What
can we do to earn God's love? Nothing! Isn't it curious, then, that the Queen
Anne's Lace thrives best in uncultivated soil?-in waste places, empty lots,
and along roadsides where car and truck exhaust might destroy less-hardy plants.
It also grows best in full sun-so too, our knowledge of Jesus flourishes in
the light of His Word!
Myrrh, frankincense, and expensive perfume were presented to Christ at the beginning
and end of His earthly life (Matthew 2:11, John 12:1-8), marking Him the King
of kings. The Bible also states that the Gospel was not given to the high and
mighty, but to the humble of heart (James 4:6). Isn't it interesting that God
placed in the Queen Anne's Lace strong-smelling oils that attract lowly creatures:
ants, flies, bees, wasps, butterflies, and moths. Oh, how sweet it is to be
drawn to Jesus!
The book of Mark makes clear that, upon the cross, Jesus willingly "drank"
a cup of suffering (Mark 14:36). In autumn, the umbel of the Queen Anne's Lace
curls up to form a "cup," symbolic of this sacrifice of its Creator.
Christ had to die so that we might live eternally (Romans 5:18). Likewise, it
is only when the flower dies that it can release the seeds that insure future
generations of flowers.
We must be careful not to confuse the Queen Anne's Lace with its deadly counterfeit,
the hemlock plant. To the untrained eye, the two are alike in appearance, illustrating
a warning from our Lord-people will try to confuse us with false gospels (Matthew
24:24).
I am amazed at the message God has given us through this plant. It wonderfully
highlights many truths about Jesus recorded in the Scriptures. Finding treasure
can be hard work, but if we are diligent in our search, it is very rewarding!
* A floret is a small flower. Daucus carota is
composed of many florets.
|