Lent color of choice – purple!
I love spring. My eyes feast on the fresh new burst of colors.
One color that particularly stands out to me this year is purple. Lent – the color is purple.
Purple crocuses.
Purple hyacinths.
Purple cloths on the church altars.
Purple is a color with much symbolism.
I graduated with my nursing degree from Capital University in Columbus. The school colors were purple and white. Yes – our uniforms were a solid purple with white collars. We looked like a bunch of grapes when we rode in an elevator all squished together.
But our dean would tell us – “Purple is the color of royalty.”
Yes she was right. Historically, purple dye has been the most expensive and most labor-intensive color to obtain. But we aren’t the royalty – Jesus is. That is the reason why purple is the color of Lent.
Purple can symbolize both the pain and suffering leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus as well as the suffering of humanity and the world under sin. The Bible tells us that Pilate and his soldiers placed a purple robe on Jesus, just before His crucifixion. (Mark 15:16-20) “…they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, Hail, King of the Jews!” (John 19:1-5)
But since purple is also the color of royalty, it reminds us of Jesus’ resurrection and hope of newness that will be celebrated on Easter Sunday. Jesus is our King, our royal King.
Research tells us that the color purple represents the balance of red simulation and blue calm. In stained glass the color purple or violet are seen as the uniting of the “wisdom” of blue and the “love” of red and symbolizes justice. Purple affects us mentally and physically with emotions that are uplifting and calming and often gives a sense of spirituality.
Purple has never been a favorite color of mine, but I feel its invitation this spring. I find myself noticing its hues everywhere and I pause.
“Come and listen to my story,” says Purple, “a tale of pain and feeling abandoned by God with am amazing and surprising ending. The story of the resurrection of our Savior and King.”
We rejected our King, our Savior in this purple account and mocked Him while He suffered and died for us.
Jesus rescued the color purple from the pits of sin, anguish, and despair and transformed it into a royal and majestic color.
Thank you, Jesus, for doing the same for us.
This post just caught my eye Jean, as I was browsing through your site.
I have always loved lilac, especially lilac lavender. I remember reading of the purple robes of Jesus when I was a teen, which made me love the colour even more! 🙂
God Bless <><
Seems like purple is the color to pay attention to this season. read on a blog the other day it is also the color of bruises. Well Jesus took lots of bruises and more for us and our hearts and souls get bruised yet God still loves us and accepts us. more to think about….
I like this, Jean — history lesson and devotional wrapped into one. I didn’t know much about the history of purple as it relates to Jesus and religion. Thank you!
I too, will watch for the special purpleness of the season. Especially since it was worn by our Saviour.
Jean I love purple it present “Royalty! When I first meet my husband he could not understand why I love that color I mean I had almost everything in purple.
I like pink as well, bright colors I am attracted to. Have a great purple day
I love your history lessons Jean! I’ve never been a big purple fan either, but I think I’ll try picturing my Savior draped in it the next time I see it. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I am not drawn to purple naturally . . . but when you mention it showing up in nature and royalty . . . with Easter coming . . .I need to rethink this.
fondly,
Glenda