Jesus crowned with thorns!

And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face - John 19:2 & 3

What cruel irony! Jesus finally received the words he deserved: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
What incomprehensible irony! Jesus, the true king of Israel, endured the pain and mockery of the crown of thorns as part of his humiliation for us and our salvation. What was the result of his torture?

Paul puts it this way in Philippians 2:5-11:
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because Jesus humbled himself, because he endured humiliation, including the crown of thorns, God exalted him to the highest place. For Jesus, the path to glory as King of kings included the path of disgrace. Because he wore the crown of thorns, Jesus received from his Father the crown of universal worship and adoration.

Simply page through the Bible, or newspaper, and you will see that Christians are not being dragged out of their sad circumstances in order to receive salvation. It is in the mud and dirt of our humanity that Christ came. In the mess of a cattle shed Christ was born among labour pains and stresses of life. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death. He was crowned with thorns to represent us before the throne of mercy, as we struggle to be humane, even Christ-like, in a chaotic, cruel world.

When we look at all that Christ has done for us on the Via Dolorosa and the many ways that he has gone against our earthly expectations, we begin to see that honouring, loving and worshipping the thorn-crowned King is appropriate. Christ is King in the manger, when he is mocked and scorned, on the cross, in the grave, and in our messy lives.

He is a King crowned with a thorny bush, to convince us of his strength amidst our own scorn, ridicule and pain.
When we begin to see strength in perceived weakness and calamity, we are able to see our true eternal King: saving, redeeming, delivering his people amidst every perceivable situation.

PrayerGracious, merciful Lord, how hard it is to read of the abuse you suffered even prior to your crucifixion. I can't even begin to imagine what you felt physically, emotionally and especially in your soul. What can I say in response but "Thank You" for walking the path of grief, suffering and shame for my sake. You took the abuse that I deserved, and gave me your glory in return.
Help me, dear Lord, to always honour you as my King in all that I do. May my words and deeds reflect your sovereignty, celebrate your glory and venerate your love.
Amen.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES AT THE CENTURION WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH:Sunday 5 April – Palm Sunday celebrations
Maundy Thursday 9 April – Tenebrae Service at 19:00
Good Friday 10 April – Communion Service, English at 09:30

(186 Aletta Ave, Raslouw, Centurion, South Africa)