This past weekend I was struck by the words as we were singing the hymn The Wondrous Cross. Specifically the verse that says:
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
I was struck by the irony of the scene that is painted with the crown of thorns.
Because it is so Wrong
It is ironic because Christ is a King and he was mocked so with this crown. He is heir of creation, the Sovereign King of kings, the source and sustainer of all life. Yet, he has the hateful derision personified in a sharp, merciless thorns upon his head. It was thrust down and twisted upon that sacred head with hatred and scorn. O’ the depths of the King’s condescension for such traitors to his rule and authority.
Do you see the horrific display that is occurring here as Jesus wears this crown?
Because it is so Right
Secondly I was struck by the appropriateness of the crown of thorns. You might say, “It is entirely inappropriate, that is the point!” And you are right. But at the same time it is appropriate. It is appropriate because of who Jesus is and what he came to do.
Jesus is the last Adam. He comes as the One who would give rest to the seed of the woman by triumphing over the seed of the serpent (Gen. 3.15). Where our representative Adam failed Jesus our representative is victorious. He came to rescue his people from the curse of sin by becoming a curse for us.
We understand that one of the most visible forms of this curse in the Garden of Eden was the emergence of thorns and thistles (Gen. 3.17-18). Our first parents now saw very clearly the agricultural illustration of their rebellion. The ground would no longer be submissive servants to their rule but would, like they themselves with God, be opposed and contrary to them at every turn.
It was fitting then for the last Adam to be crowned with such. As he bore the crown of thorns upon the cross he bore the curse of God upon man. He became our curse (Gal. 3.13).
So yes, behold the crown of thorns with the horror that is due it; it is unimaginably displaced. Your sin, my sin precipitated it being thrust upon him. However, also behold the crown with humble joy. See Jesus there upon the cross bearing the shame, the insults, the spit, the beatings, and the horrors of Calvary. But see him also guzzle the eternal vat of condemnation that is due to a sinner like me and you. See him do this successfully, completely, powerfully, and gloriously! See him do it with the crown of the curse thrust upon his brow.
For we understand that without Christ bearing the crown of thorns we would never be able to walk where there is no curse in that sacred city, the New Jerusalem; where we will enjoy the river of life, the fruit from the tree of life, and the healing leaves that are promised.
Indeed that crown was rich. It was rich because of who’s head it was upon and what he was doing.
Gather round that cross and marvel at such love and sorrow as it is punctuated with its glorious victory!
