Thursday, March 29, 2007
Matthew 27:29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
MEMENTOS OF HIS PASSION: A CROWN OF THORNS
In Eden the ground produced food eagerly. As a result of Adam's sin, God cursed the ground, causing thorns to grow in it (Genesis 3:17-19). As he tended the soil the thorns must have continually reminded Adam of his sin and his need for the Savior whom God had promised. In the same way, the thorns of Jesus' crown remind us of our sin and our need for Him.
The crown being placed on Jesus' head reminds us that our sins were also placed on Him. As He accepted the crown of thorns, Jesus also willingly accepted our sin when it was laid on Him.
John informs us that Pilate brought Jesus out to the mob wearing the crown of thorns (John 19:5). But then the crown disappears from the Bible's record for good.
Artists often portray Jesus crucified with the crown of thorns still on His brow. Perhaps the cruelty of the soldiers made sure Christ carried the crown all the way to the cross.
One thing we know for certain. Our sins were carried all the way to the cross. And it is there that they disappear from the record books of God. The missing crown of thorns reminds us that our sins have also gone missing. They were lost deep in the wounds of Jesus our Savior.
When we meet Jesus in the flesh, we too will wear a crown. The Apostle Paul looked forward to this crown when he wrote: ". . . There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).
Oh, what a precious memento. Jesus wore the crown of thorns, so we could wear the crown of life.
