I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.
As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
(Song of Solomon 2:1-4)

Many Christians see the rose of Sharon as a symbol of Jesus Christ, citing its beauty, fragrance, and ability to thrive in harsh conditions, as reflective of Christ’s divine nature and His ability to bring hope and Salvation to humanity through His suffering.

The Rose as a Christian symbolism, the red rose, stands as a picture of the blood shed by Jesus on the Cross, but it has also become a symbol for earthly love, a tradition which continues today.

The rose may also be seen to represent Mary, who although a virgin gave birth to Jesus, and who, as a virgin, represents virginity, fertility and passion.  The ‘rose of Sharon’ is a flower that grows on mountain tops and we can see why the Lord referred to Himself as The Rose of Sharon. His mountain top was Golgotha, and the Lord is making known to people now that it is only possible to find this Rose on Mount Calvary where He paid the price for our sin as He gave His life for us upon the cross.

We can enjoy the symbolism of the red rose when we want to demonstrate our love for someone. But the Rose of Sharon demonstrates the greatest love any of us will ever know. A love that sacrificed everything, so that we might live. A love that paid the price for our sin so that we do not have to pay that price, that washed away our sin through the pouring out of His precious blood. And all who have received Jesus as Saviour and Lord can now stand before our Heavenly Father, washed, sanctified and forgiven.

This is the Rose above all roses. The Lord Jesus Himself. Turn to Him - confess your sin, repent, believe and trust Him, and you will find forgiveness and eternal life. And real Hope.