Jesus Christ was also wounded by the crown of thorns on his head. He bled and suffered pain. To those who crucified Jesus, he represented everything thorns stood for in Jewish culture.
Jewish mythology of thorns
To the Jews, thorns stood for a negative omen. It signified obstruction and unfruitfulness or discomfort and avoidance, Genesis 3:18. It stood for trouble, Numbers 33:55; Joshua 23:13. It was not worthy of touching, 2 Samuel 23:6. It was used as a curse, Job 31:40, and for punishment, Psalms 118:12; Judges 8:7, 16. Jesus likened thorns to those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and so become unfruitful, Matthew 13:7, 22; Mark 4:718-19; Luke 8:7, 14.
Thorns signified confusion or instability or a marooned person. To the Jews a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and must not expect to receive anything from the Lord, James 1:7. It was the way of a sluggard person, Proverbs 15:19. It was deemed as the way of the perverse or obstinate, Proverbs 22:5. It was likened to the laughter of fools whose end was destruction, Ecclesiastics 7:6. It signified desertion, Isaiah 7:25. It was a sign of rebellious character, a nuisance or rejection, Ezekiel 2:6. It was used as a hedge for the good against invasion of the enemy, Hosea 2:6.
Jesus said in Luke 6:44 that figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. In effect nothing good comes from thorns. Paul also said in Hebrews 6:8 that if something bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned. In essence, the Jews and the Romans considered Jesus as a thorn. He was the king of all the negative things that thorns stood for. Christians think differently based on God’s word, his revelation and instructions.
Jesus’ crown of thorns
Jesus’ crown was composed of thorns, Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2, 5. The thorns inflicted wounds on his head. It was very uncomfortable and painful, and he bled continually. Crowns are symbols for Kings and royals and this placed Jesus in that category of Kings and royals. The thorns however meant that Jesus was a suffering king whose kingship is based on his suffering for us. Our pride or achievement must be based on what recognition?
Luke 24:26 says it was necessary that Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory. Jesus said from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, Matthew 11:12. It is also recorded in Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22 that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priest and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 9:2; Luke 17:25 have recorded that the Son of man should suffer many things and be treated with contempt. Jesus’ wounds were caused by the people he came to redeem, John 1:11. What wounds are we inflicting on Jesus?
Jesus’ crown wounds and suffering were visible. A crown is put on the head because in most cases it is the most immediately visible and highest part of the body. We would most likely be wounded in public and we must be ready for it and for the same or similar reasons why Jesus suffered his head wounds. The head is man’s seat of his crown. At the seat of our honour or our highest point in life we stand to be wounded with the thorns of life. We are in a business of thorns because of Christ.
A crown is also for victors or a successful feat. Paul says an athlete is not crowned unless he completes according to the rules. Jesus’ crown of thorns meant he completed the race of redemption by the rules of suffering and deserved a crown descriptive of suffering, 2 Timothy 2:5. He further questioned our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming, 1 Thessalonians 2:19. A crown should bring joy and Jesus suffered for us with joy and was crowned in glory, Hebrews 2:9. Paul waited for a similar crown after his successful race of suffering for Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 4:8.
The Bible says in James 1:12 that blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. God loves for us to wear the crown of suffering. 1 Peter 2:9 says we are a chosen race and a royal priesthood. It is not merely any other royal but a suffering royal which is related to priesthood to preach God’s word and to touch lives and souls and may come with suffering. We cannot touch lives without suffering or battle. Jesus’ kingship is distinct from earthly kingship, John 8:23; 18:36. Are we ready for a suffering crown?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give us the zeal and strength to wear the crown of thorns for the sake of your name in spite of the wounds it may bring. We pray in your blessed name, Amen!!
