John 19:2, The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him.
The crown of thorns was a symbol of mockery. After Jesus was arrested and flogged, the soldiers cruelly decided He needed something more. They wanted to add something that would make a statement, a “finishing touch.” So they made a crown of thorns and placed it on His head. It was meant to hurt and humiliate. It was intended to mock His claims of royalty and send a clear message to His followers. It was a case of adding insult to injury.
We know the soldiers laughed as they mockingly knelt before Him. But what did the followers of Jesus feel? Were they embarrassed? Did they realize that He was doing it all for them and for those who had not yet but would someday believe?
Regardless of the soldiers’ intentions, the crown of thorns serves to remind us that Jesus is, in fact, the King. We know that He is not seated on His throne. Those who knelt to mock Him will one day kneel again and confess Him as Lord of all. Any “crowns” of glory that we may earn will be cast down at His feet when we reach heaven.
It’s so important to remember that at any point on that journey to the cross, Jesus could have said, “Enough.” But He didn’t. He looked at all that He would have to endure and He deemed us worth it. Christ our King wore the crown of thorns for us.
