The crocus is the surefire sign of spring. Often emerging even before the snow hasn’t completely melted, we take heart when we see the annual sign that spring is on its way. The hardy perennial bloom that rises out of the native prairie takes on a mauve hue, from deep and dark to pale and light. Usually found on native land, they prefer the south-facing hills and well-drained soil. Some years, as it was at our home last year, they are prolific; a blanket of mauve painting the hillsides.
While their presence is fleeting (they only last a couple weeks), they symbolize new life, joy and warm weather to come. A part of the iris family of plants, there are over 80 different types of crocuses all over the world.
Just as crocuses are a dependable sign of warmer weather on the way, the Word of God speaks of many signs that are indicators of what is to come. We are all familiar with the passage in Luke, “And this will be a sign to you, you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Acts 2 speaks of signs happening in the heavens: “And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.” In John, there is record of Jesus’ first miracle; turning water into wine: “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”
What about the signs of Jesus’ return? We find that in Mark 13 when the disciples asked Jesus, “’Tell us, when will these things happen? And what supernatural sign should we expect to signal your coming and the completion of this age?’ Jesus answered, ‘At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you’re not fooled! ...You will hear rumors of wars nearby...nations will go to war against each other and kingdom against kingdom ...terrible earthquakes... famines and riots.’”
There are also surefire signs that show we follow Jesus. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) I like the verse in 1 Peter 3 suggesting that an unbelieving husband will “...be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of (their) lives.” This is a sure sign that the love of God is oozing out of the wife when she does not preach or show disregard to her husband but serves him out of a heart of love.
Another unwavering sign of those who are followers of Jesus is this: “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Signs are for our benefit. They are sign posts, directives, indicators, or signals of whether we are on the right or wrong path. They direct us in the way to go. We recently took a trip around Cypress Hills and if it weren’t for signs, I’m not sure we’d have ended up back at home. We had to keep our eyes open for the signs of what was ahead.
In the same way, let’s keep our eyes open to what is ahead in the spiritual world. Let’s not fall asleep or become apathetic to what is going on around us.
