Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” (Jn. 19:5)
His accusers were certain they had won the victory. They had placed a crown of thorns on His head, intending to mock and scorn him. Yet, Jesus knew that He had but a few more steps to take before He would be at the finish line, King of kings and Lord of lords, seated next to His Father. The crown of thorns twisted together for Jesus in hatred and anger confirmed Jesus’ victory over sin. Why? Because thorns were not in the world until the curse of sin was introduced to the world (Gen. 3:18). Jesus’ unfathomable love for us compelled Him to fall from His heavenly throne in glory so that He could lift us up from the fall of man. In the wilderness Jesus fought with sin; at the cross He was crowned victor over it. Oh sacred head once wounded. Though rejected by men, He was accepted by God. Despite all the cruelty, beating, and hatred His accusers hurled at Him, they could not damage His love for them.
Behold the Man! The perfect man, friend of sinners, love so divine He willingly suffered and died that we may live with Him. As we ponder the crown of thorns on our Savior’s head, let us consider the thorns of sin that encumber our lives. The torments, the difficulties, the challenges. Jesus took upon Himself God’s righteous anger for our sins. Let us leave our twisted crown of thorns and sin with Jesus. Because He took our sins upon Himself, we can live our lives as His blood-bought children. He paid the highest price possible for the object of His love—mankind. Praise God, the story doesn’t end there. He rose from the grave. He lives. He has given us access to Him at His throne of grace, anytime, anywhere. Let us seek a deeper, more meaningful, and better understanding of the incomprehensible price our Savior paid for us.
Are you prepared to be mocked, rejected, and beaten for your faith? This evil world is not in accord with a life yielded to God. That was true when Jesus walked on earth over 2000 years ago and it is true today. Remember, the mountain closest to heaven is also the one most beaten by the storms. Will you take up today’s challenge to honor your Savior with your life? If so, tell this to Jesus and ask Him to help you mean it. He will come alongside you and lead you in the way that He would have you to go. “Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?”