This is what you said. Of course I know that Jesus is called the Rose of Sharon --- as well as the Lion of Judah and many other images --- but what I said is that I did not know of Christians using a rose instead of a cross on top of their steeples, on their Bibles, or in a central place in their sanctuaries.
Church at is extraordinarily varied and rich in terms of pictorial symbolism. My point was, the early Christians cannot be shown to have used a rose instead of a cross.
Unless you have evidence. I am always ready to modify my opinions on the basis of evidence.
"Most Christian believers are opposed to the dead body of Christ being worshiped. I am surprised that the idea is news to you at 62!! :)"
Over 60% of the Christians on earth are Catholic/Orthodox (Link) and while we do not worship the dead body of Christ (He is not dead now, He is risen) we do venerate the Cross, and our crucifixes, stained-glass windows, murals, paintings, Bible-illustration and icons depict his sorrowful Passion and Death--- as well as His glorious Resurrection.
If you add in Lutheran (Link), and Anglican, and Methodist, and even Baptist, for Heaven's sake, I'd say that probably 90% of Christians have crosses with Christ in honored places on their steeples, in their churches and in their devotional art.
I never denied that believers "are" the Church. In fact, that is one definition of the Church: the people of God.
We --- meaning you and I, and all believers --- are, likewise, the Body of Christ.
The link shows you evidence of the symbol of the flower and when it was used.
You have to look at it.