Symbol of the Crown of Thorns
Christ was crucified with a crown of thorns. While this may have been an attempt to ridicule him, it was actually part of the design. Original sin is represented by the thorns.
“Both thorns and thistles it will grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field.” Genesis 3:18
This is the curse of the Fall.
A crown symbolizes the weight of authority over the kingdom…it is placed upon the head of the King in a symbol of responsibility. Its weight in gold and gems symbolizes the riches and the burden.
So too does the crown of thorns symbolize Jesus’ kingship and authority over the totality of sin! What was meant to ridicule him was turned around to represent the true mission of his ministry…to bare the sins of the world through death and serve as an everlasting sacrifice for all sin, past and present.
Our sin, His Thorns
When we sin today, we add thorns to his crown. We cause him pain (in the past)…remember, there is no “time” for God. All is now. Each of our sins pushes the thorns deeper into his skin and draws more blood out of our God.
Our focus, however, needs to move away from trying to will ourselves out of sin. It is our nature to sin. We are powerless over it. We, instead, are called on to bring our sin nature to Jesus and ask him to take it away with him. To kill it for us.
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
This is our prayer about sin. That he would take away the sin. But we need to approach the cross…we need to hold out our sin and procain that we need Jesus to bare it for us…even when he has done so much for us already.
Mission – Today, bring the thorns, the wounds, the same, the sorrows of your life to the King of Thorns, and commit them to His authority.
Mark K.