Christ: Crowned in Humiliation!

Just recently I enjoyed a little meditation on the Crowning of the Lord. He was crowned in humiliation. Consider: 

The Making of His crown – “they platted...”
The soldiers made it “Then the soldiers...platted a crown of thorns”. Pilate had scourged him and then delivered Him over to the Roman soldiers for sport. His own nation had delivered Him (their King) into the hands of lawless men. He had come “unto His own and His own received Him not”.


The Material of His crown – “a crown of thorns”

The thorn is a result of the curse – Gen 3v18 “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee”. Thus, placed on the head of Christ was the symbol of condemnation as a result of the fall. We can view this symbolically and see the outworking of Divine purpose at Calvary. However, the material was chosen for the torture it would produce.

The Mockery of His crown – “Hail, King of the Jews”

The soldiers, in bowing before Him in mockery were also mocking the Jewish nation of which He was King. They were saying – this is the King of the Jews! Look at His crown, His sceptre (the reed), His robe! 

The Man and His crown – “Behold the Man”

Who was He? A man of ROYAL PEDIGREE (Matthew); a man of HONEST INDUSTRY (Mark); a man of PERFECT PURITY (Luke); a man of FULL DEITY (John)! Yet here despised and rejected of men. 

The Manifestation of His crown  - “then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns”

Pilate brought Him forth. What had been done inside among the soldiers was manifest to all the people. The response? Crucify Him!! There was no pitying eye to be found. There were none who had been healed and blessed who now sided with this rejected One. To side with Him then would be to share rejection with Him! He was to be taken and crucified!     

Crowned with thorns upon the tree

Silent in Thine agony!

Dying crushed beneath the load,

Of the wrath and curse of God”

How solemn that the last view this world had of the Son of God was, in all likelihood, uplifted on the Cross, crowned with the Crown of thorns! 

Thank God as believers we look forward to another day of crowning! 

"Our Lord is now rejected and by the world disowned

By many still neglected and by the few enthroned

But soon He'll come in glory, the hour is drawing nigh, 

The Crowning Day is coming by and by!"