…and the soldiers after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ’Hail, King of the Jews!’ they struck his head with a reed, spat upon him and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
So the mocking, the jeering laughter, the ridicule continues as a crown encircled with sharp thorns is placed on Jesus’ head. Embarrass him this so-called King of the Jews, the crown of thorns symbolising the majesty of royalty and kingship and placing this on his head was their futile attempt to humiliate him and make fun of his rights to any kingship. Spitting and kneeling in mock homage, this Kingdom of which Jesus spoke was not of this world.
The crown of thorns is the symbol of his kingdom
Here we meet the king drawn completely by love
whose kingdom is not of this world
the servant king who kneels and washes feet
the king who commands us to love one another
the king whose kingdom is embedded in peace and justice
where reconciliation truth and hope are watchwords
where crooked paths can be straightened
the king who offers light in the darkness
the vulnerable king who was born in a borrowed stable
mocked with a crown of thorns and will lie in a borrowed grave.
the crown of thorns that can turn the world upside down.
See from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. [Isaac Watts]
– Patrick Evans
Holy Week Reflections: Saturday – The Temple Curtain
Holy Week Reflections: Friday – Sponge & Wine Vinegar
Holy Week Reflections: Thursday – The Written Notice
Holy Week Reflections: Wednesday – The Cross
Holy Week Reflections: Tuesday – The Crown of Thorns
