The God of the Lilies
Introduction:
Luke 12:22-28 (NKJV)
Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? 29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
This morning, we will take our text from Luke 12:27. In this sermon, Jesus describes the God of the Bible and invites us to consider one frail but beautiful part of creation.
The God of the Lilies.
1. Consider
"Consider..."
Jesus invites His disciples and us "to look reflectively, consider, or contemplate" on the lily or wildflowers.
Reflect: to think quietly and calmly.
Consider: to think about carefully.
Contemplate: to view or consider with continued attention, meditate on.
There are moments when responses of faith are merely acts of obedience based on present words quickened to our hearts by the Spirit, read in the Scriptures, or heard in the preaching of the Word of God.
God's Word also speaks through the creation. Psalm 19 says that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork. God's Word is the substratum that runs underneath all reality. God's Word is the ground of all reality. Hebrews 1 tells us that God's Word holds all things together. There are patterns built into the fabric of reality that speak to us all if we will but listen.
Read: We can read every moment and ask what God is speaking.
Reflect: We can reflect on the things we see around us everyday to hear more deeply God's message to us.
Respond: We can respond in faith.
It takes intentional work. This is to consider...
2. The Lilies
"...the lilies..."
The lily is a flowering plant frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing beauty, purity, and divine provision. Its references span both the Old and New Testaments, often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and divine attributes.
In Scripture:
1. Song of Solomon 2:1-2: The lily is prominently featured in the poetic and romantic imagery of the Song of Solomon. The beloved describes herself as "a lily of the valleys," to which her lover responds, "Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens." Here, the lily symbolizes purity and beauty, standing out amidst the thorns, which may represent the challenges and impurities of the world. When we consider the lilies as Jesus taught us to, we will find what God thinks of us. He sees you as pure and holy, sanctified. He sees you through the eyes of love!
2. Hosea 14:5: In a prophetic context, God uses the imagery of the lily to describe the future restoration and flourishing of Israel: "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily." The lily here signifies renewal, growth, and the blessings that come from divine favor. It is God's grace that is over your life. Receive it today!
3. Matthew 6:28-29: Jesus uses the lilies of the field to teach about God's provision and care: "And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these." The lilies serve as a reminder of God's meticulous care for His creation, encouraging believers to trust in His provision rather than be consumed by anxiety. God is saying to someone today, Trust me and do my will, and I will take care of you!
(Topical Encyclopedia)
3. How They Grow
"...how they grow: they neither toil nor spin..."
In Creation:
Bulb Growth: Lilies grow from bulbs, which are underground storage organs. These bulbs store nutrients during the dormant season (like winter), allowing the lily to rapidly sprout and grow when conditions are right. This is an efficient survival strategy, especially in climates with harsh seasons. God prepares below the surface, in hidden seasons. Even when it looks like nothing is happening (winter, hardship), He is storing life, beauty, and strength in us for the right time. (Isaiah 61:3 — "beauty for ashes").
When a lily sprouts, it grows very quickly. That's because it’s using energy already stored in the bulb rather than relying solely on photosynthesis at first. This allows it to get a head start on flowering before other plants have fully leafed out.
Contractile Roots: Some lilies develop contractile roots — special roots that pull the bulb deeper into the soil. This ensures the bulb stays at the correct depth for optimal temperature, moisture, and protection. God roots His people deeply, ensuring they are not easily scorched by the sun or stolen away. (Colossians 2:7 — "rooted and built up in Him").
Phototropism: Lilies exhibit strong phototropism — they grow toward light. The hormone auxin redistributes in the plant, causing the cells on the shaded side of the stem to elongate more, bending the stem toward the light source. Lilies reach for the light, just like we are called to seek the face of God, to grow toward the "Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2).
Reproductive Adaptability: Besides seeds, lilies can reproduce vegetatively (by producing small bulbs called bulbils along their stems or at the base). This allows them to spread efficiently without relying on pollinators or perfect conditions for seeds. Lilies multiply life around them. The kingdom of God spreads not just through dramatic events, but quietly and naturally through daily faithfulness — just as lilies reproduce without fanfare.
Fragrance Chemistry: Some lilies produce complex aromatic compounds to attract specific pollinators. Their scent profiles are actually timed — stronger at night or day, depending on whether their main pollinators are moths, bees, or birds. Lilies attract life — not striving, but by simply being what God made them to be. In the same way, Christians are "the aroma of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15).
In short, lilies grow strategically — storing energy, adjusting themselves in the soil, growing fast, seeking light, and ensuring survival through multiple reproduction strategies.
4. More Glory Than Solomon
"...and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these..."
Solomon was perhaps Israel's greatest king when it comes to wealth and glory. He was rich beyond imagination. The temple he built was glorious. He had the greatest gardens full of fruitful trees, and his throne room was majestic. He had a zoo and understood botany and zoology. He was without compare in wisdom. Nations from every direction came to visit and hear his wisdom and counsel... He is the writer and collector of Proverbs... His table was full of provisions for everyone. There was peace and prosperity during his reign. When the Queen of Sheba went to visit him and saw him ascending his throne, the Scriptures say that it took her breath away (1 Kings 10:5)...
But Solomon has nothing on the lilies. If one were to look at the gates he built for the temple at even a microscopic level, there would be millions of visible scratches. What we can do when examined on a deeper level is not as glorious as we imagine. But about what God does, the writer of Ecclesiastes 3:14 (often associated with Solomon) says, "I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him."
When Jesus says that the lilies are clothed with a greater glory than Solomon, it's true at a deep scientific level:
Microscopic Patterns (Cell Structure): Under a microscope, the surface of a lily petal is not flat. It's covered in tiny, regularly arranged cells shaped like little cones or domes. These microscopic structures scatter and refract light, intensifying the color and giving the petal its vibrant, velvety look.(This natural light manipulation is more complex and beautiful than anything a human artist could paint or weave.)
Nano-Structures (Light Manipulation): At even smaller scales (nanometers — billionths of a meter), some lilies have nanostructures that create shimmering effects, like an almost iridescent glow. This is similar to what you see on butterfly wings or peacock feathers — but lilies do it in soft, delicate ways designed for subtle beauty, not flashiness.
Quantum-Level Marvels: At the quantum level, the pigments in lilies absorb and emit light by shifting electrons between energy states. The color you see — that brilliant purple, white, orange, etc. — happens because molecules at the quantum scale are interacting with photons of light in precise, predictable, yet invisible-to-the-eye ways.
In other words:
The glory of the lily is woven into the fabric of creation at every level — from the visible to the invisible, from the cellular to the quantum. Solomon could wear golden robes and jewels, but he could never create the living, breathing, light-dancing miracle of a lily.
"When Jesus said, 'Consider the lilies,' He wasn't giving a casual suggestion. He was inviting us to look deeply — to marvel at the masterpiece God paints every day with invisible brushstrokes. Not even Solomon, in all his wealth and wisdom, could weave molecules into colors, could command cells to arrange themselves into velvet. God does it effortlessly — for a flower that blooms today and withers tomorrow. How much more does He care about you?"
Conclusion and exhortation:
...If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?...
The invitation to consider the lilies is an invitation to meditate on the reality that you can trust God. You see, the one who spoke these words was the one who is greater than Solomon because He is Solomon's Creator. Jesus, the Word of God, invites you and me to read the book of Creation and consider the lilies, they don't toil or spin, and yet, Solomon in all of HIs glory was not clothed like the simple grass of the field...
God's got you! Have you accepted God's provision in Christ? Have you placed your faith completely in Him by turning towards Him and walking in His direction? Have you been baptized in His Name, so that He could clothe you in more glory than Solomon, and when He looks at you, He sees the lily among thorns? Have you been filled with His Spirit so that you can shine with His glory from within? The invitation stands! Consider the God of the lilies!
