Today, I write about a unique crown, worn by a king who is the only one of His kind.
Matthew tells us: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. (27:27-30)
Looking at this crown, it is helpful to discover when thorns first came about. And so, the outline will be 3Cs – the Curse, the Crown, the Crossing
The Curse: From Good to Bad in Adam’s story
In Genesis 1, when God created the world, He blessed Adam with land that sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, fruit-bearing trees, all pleasant to the eye and good for food. All was good until Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command.
Thorns are first mentioned after the fall of man. It was God’s sentence for Adam’s disobedience. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.” (Genesis 3:17–18).
After God’s curse, the land began to produce thorns and thistles, making it difficult and painful to grow food. In the Old Testament, thorns were used as metaphors for wicked people and bad kings, those causing troubles and steering God’s people away from Him. The prophets used thorns with their damaging effects as warnings for Israel’s rebellion and final ruin. In the Bible, thorns and thistles mean curse, punishment, and destruction. They symbolize obstacles and troubles to be avoided. In New testament, thorn is mentioned in the Parable of the Sower: Jesus explained thorns as the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the seed of God’s word – making it unfruitful (Matt 13:7,22). They can be worries, pursuits of worldly wealth, pleasures that take the place of God in our hearts. Paul also wrote of his thorn in the flesh:
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
The Crown: From Shame to Glory in Jesus’ Story
What then do we make of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus? This crown as recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and John, is stephanos, a Greek word for a victor’s wreath usually made of laurel leaves. So why the crown? During Pilate’s inquisition of Jesus (Matt. 27:11-14), he was asked about accusations against him. The only reply Jesus gave was his affirmation of being the king of the Jews. His self-identity kept him grounded amidst the mockery. Jesus knows He is the Son of God who came on earth to be man to do His Father’s will.
In the story of Jesus’ coronation, there are contrasting words: being stripped naked yet clothed in kingly scarlet robe (scarlet is a color for royalty, wealth and power), crown not forged of shiny gold and gems but twisted with spiky sharp thorns. They knelt before him but they also spit on him. They gave him a scepter of reed, a symbol of human frailty, and used it to strike his crowned head – further driving in the thorns to draw more blood. The crowning was a mockery intent on shaming Jesus; an insult to his identity. The “King of the Jews” was scourged, spit upon and struck by low-ranking Roman soldiers.
Theologians view Jesus’ crown of thorns as a symbol of both profound humiliation and cosmic triumph. While Roman soldiers scorned His kingship, Christian scholars see it as the “Last Adam” taking upon Himself the Genesis curse of thorns to redeem humanity and creation. Scholars interpret the crown with 3 key elements:
• By wearing the thorns, Jesus took the physical manifestation of humanity’s doom upon Himself to reverse the curse in Eden.
• The act of contempt/mockery ironically foreshadows Jesus’ true cosmic authority as the King of kings and Lord of lords, recorded in Revelation 19:16.
• The crown is a visual symbol of mankind’s sins. Crowned in it, Jesus physically bore the shame, insults, and sins of humanity in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy that He was “pierced for our transgressions“
And with His resurrection, the curse, the mockery and suffering ended. Hence, He is enthroned. Hebrews 2:9 tells us Jesus is crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Paul also wrote how Jesus reversed the narrative from shame to glory in Phil. 2:6-11: Jesus, God the Son was born as Son of man, to be like us to take on our sins on the cross. He humbly obeyed the Father who placed on him the redemptive work to rescue man from the curse of sin. So God exalted him with the name above all names for which all creation bow the knee.
The Crossing: From here to there – already and not yet in Our Story
Thus Jesus models for us the crossing – the way through suffering, the how’s and why’s.
Heb. 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
In view of how Jesus suffered with joy, endurance and glory, New testament writers give us reassuring tips on how we navigate our crossing.
- rejoice (Rom. 5:3 endurance, Col 1:24 church, 1 Pet 4:13 future glory)
In the epistles, we are encouraged to rejoice – it is an active word. We rejoice because suffering hones us to endure. We endure joyfully for the sake of the church. We celebrate because his glory will be revealed to us. (next slide) Theologian Karl Barth said joy is a defiant nevertheless. It is Paul’s antidote to anxiety. It is full trust in God’s faithfulness no matter what happens. It helps to be thankful – because gratitude begets joy. At the height of the pandemic, a friend wrote thank you notes to put in a bottle every day. At the end of the year, she showed me her bottle of thanksgiving which she read again to celebrate God’s goodness. - share in Christ’s suffering/comfort (Phil. 3:10, 2 Cor 1:5-7) The word “share” tells us that we are never alone in our suffering. We share by the power of His resurrection. Even as we share in Christ’s suffering, He too shares in our suffering, and gives us His comfort, which we can then share with others. Sharing moves the focus away from the self onto others.
- endure 2 Tim 3:11 Paul endured sufferings because he remembered God rescued him through all of it. Just as Christ endured the pain and remained steadfast, we are to be firm and faithful to the end. We endure patiently because we know that temporal sufferings cannot compare with eternal glory. Rom 8:18 shows us the blessed hope that one day our suffering will end in a glorious crown in life eternal beyond death.
Ten years ago, my mom passed away at 78, leaving my 92 year old. dad who couldn’t see. In the week that followed, I slept perhaps a total of 8-10 hrs. I didn’t know which was greater, grief or anxiety. After hearing the news, my dad’s health went downhill till it took my sister 2-3 hours to feed him few spoonfuls of food. We begged for him to have peg insertion, leading to hospital-acquired pneumonia, bowel obstruction, sepsis, kidney failure, and dialysis. It was hard to see him suffer. Amidst it all, I had a bad fall that required surgery for my broken ankle. I remember the times my dad and I were both in wheelchairs when I accompanied him to his dialysis. It’s sad to see him suffer. I empathized with the sick hooked to the machines, those struggling, waiting to have their turns for treatment, perhaps worried about financial resources.
Yet God used my fall to shake me from my anxious thoughts and lean on His faithful provisions through the people He placed in my life to be my eyes, ears, hands and feet. I listened to the stories and struggles of my caregivers and shared with them good news of Jesus. As I used the crutches, I walked in the shoes of the lame and crippled. I no longer take for granted I can go to the toilet any time I need to or stand to sing at church.
In the pandemic, I shared a bit of my friend’s suffering from lung cancer. In his agony, I saw God empowered him to be a light in the darkness. He taught his sons not to blame God for his sickness. I had the honor to plan with him his memorial service. He wanted to share the gospel to his colleagues and students who don’t know Jesus. In the valley, he sought to obey the Great Commission. My friend showed me that a flickering light can still shine brightly. Because our suffering servant Jesus is kind and gentle, a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. Isaiah 42:3
I’ve had struggles with depression. I was shamefully guilty for being depressed. There are many suffering around me and there I was depressed when I’m so blessed. The most recent bout was so dark and deep, I said Lord, please take me. Each time I saw light seeping thru the window, I dreaded facing another long day of hopeless nothingness. In the dark, not even a tear fell, I was just spiraling down a bottomless pit. But God is merciful. He walked me thru with the company of family and close friends who shared the faith. There was no shame, no judgement. They shared their time, stories, and weaknesses till I could laugh and cry again. It is good to cry. It’s ok to be not ok. I share my story not because I’m strong or brave. I share because God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. I tell my crossing because a community of faith who carry each other’s burden, carried me with the love of God by the grace of Jesus in the power of the Spirit.
Through all these challenges, the Spirit opened my eyes to things I would not have learned when all is well. Many things in this world, money cannot buy. It cannot buy true friendship, authentic acceptance and light in the pit. Money can pay for medicines or doctor’s consult, yet it does not assure us of healing of the soul, peace of mind that comes from our identity in God. I am His beloved. There is nothing in me that he is ashamed of and nothing I can do to earn His pleasure. When I was born, my mom nearly bled to death. God saved me, a helpless baby from becoming an orphan. He gave me a mother who brought me to Jesus and showed me to be like Jesus and live like Jesus. Our trials and hardships are seemingly not good in themselves, but God works all these things for good to those who love him and are called for His purpose. His desire is for us to be more and more like Jesus.
Lessons I learned in the crossing:
Thorns can be people, things, ideals that turn me from God. What might irritate, frustrate or embitter; make me impatient, proud, self-reliant. Trials and tests are the other side of the coin.
Trials can be God’s instruments to discipline me: make me more aware of my weaknesses, filter out the impurities in me, to grow my character, to be more patient, persevere towards maturity – less self-sufficient. Have you experienced God’s hard questions in life? How did they refine you?
Jeremiah wrote: Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (9:23-24)
Hence, God allows suffering to draw me closer to him –to know His character: faithful, lovingly kind, wise, just, mighty and in full control in his goodness; to abide in His presence, kneel in prayer, stop struggling, and ask the Holy Spirit to help me to be kind, just, and humble, to ask for forgiveness and forgive as I’m forgiven. As you look back to your past, what has God shown you about himself in the thorny places of life?
When challenges come my way, God trains me to depend fully on Him and his sufficient grace rather than my own abilities. I must bow the knee than drain the brain. James assured us that If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. What will you ask God to give you in your struggle right now?
Most of all, sufferings direct me to love my neighbor – to give to the needy, to accompany the lonely and comfort the sad, and grieving. How do challenges of life re-focus your values? Who might God be calling you to love today?
(2 Cor. 1:3-5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Therefore, let us cast unto Jesus, our thorns: struggles with sin, cancer, depression, our health issues, our grief, relational conflicts, and financial challenges. Whatever causes us pain, Jesus went through it all. He conquered death, He is alive and is now seated at the right hand of God. His crown of thorns is a crown of triumph. He shall return to reward the steadfast. Let us look forward to the day when He will say to us “well done, good and faithful servant,” enter the joy of your Master.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Jesus wore the crown of thorns for us so we can receive the crown of life as we look to Him and run with endurance the race set before us because Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith.
Dear Jesus, Victorious King of kings and Lord of Lords. Thank you for wearing our crown of thorns, bearing the curse of sin and the wrath of God on the cross. Thank you that you count us worthy to share in your suffering and your comfort. Empower us Holy Spirit to rejoice in hope, endure affliction and share your glorious comfort to our neighbors. Amen.
Recently, I learned at choir this song which tells of the extent of the grace and love of Jesus for us- His Robes for Mine. Equally so, His crown of thorns is a crown of life for us.
His Robes for Mine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxvVA0wpO-w&list=RDYxvVA0wpO-w&start_radio=1
Words: Chris Anderson Music: Greg Habegger
- His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange! Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered neath God’s rage. Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified. In Christ I live, for in my place He died.
Refrain: I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost: Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God. Bought by such love, my life is not my own; My praise, my all, shall be for Christ alone.
- His robes for mine: What cause have I for dread? God’s daunting law Christ mastered in my stead. Faultless I stand, with righteous works not mine, Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.
- His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased. Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased. Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried, “Tis done!” Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.
- His robes for mine: Such anguish none can know. Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe. He, as though I, accursed and left alone; I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!
Ponder and reflect:
What thorn are you struggling with right now? How are you responding to its presence? Why so?
What new biblical truth about Jesus’ crown of thorns might help you navigate your challenge today?
How does Jesus’ redemptive crown help you endure your present struggles? In what ways does this thorny crown (symbolizing reversal of the curse, his suffering and kingship) give you hope and strength today?
How has God been present in your seasons of suffering? What might He be teaching you through this experience?
How have you experienced God’s grace in the midst of your suffering? Who can you encourage with your story?
Amidst adversity, in what practical ways can you show love for God and neighbor? What heart change is the Spirit prompting you to love in word and deed?