Thorns! Ouch! How apropos that Jesus, as He trudged to the
cross, wore upon His head the very symbol of sin's curse. Upon His head
was pressed a crown of thorns. But Jesus did more than symbolize that
curse. He (as the Lenten season underscores) actually became sin's curse
on behalf of all people. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the
law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, 'Cursed is
everyone who hangs on a tree'" (Galatians 3:13).
Jesus wore our sin
until it crushed Him. On the cross He endured the full fury of holy
God's wrath! The horror of hell is the ultimate curse our sins deserve!
We can almost imagine a thorn being driven into Jesus' soul as He cries
out in the face of that horror: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken
Me?" (Mark 15:34).
And what is the result of Jesus' becoming sin's
curse in man's place? Redemption for all people is the result! Freedom
from sin, death, and hell has been won for all sinners!
And what does it mean for you personally, dear Christian?
- It means that when some sin--any sin--tears into your conscience, you
can apply the healing salve which flows from the cross, namely, Jesus'
cancellation of the world's entire sin debt.
- It means living
every day as "more than a conqueror." While life on earth may hurt, you
walk with a Savior whose sacrificial death proves His undying commitment
to your eternal welfare.
- It means one day you will take up
permanent residence in a world where there will be no more pain or
death; in a world where the word "ouch" will never be heard again!
This hard winter world cannot last long. A spring without thorns must soon be ours!
Endless praise to Jesus, who wore the curse of sin for us so that we might one day wear a crown of everlasting glory!
-- From the Lutheran Spokesman
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