A Crown of Thorns
“And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.” ~ Mark 15:16-20 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)
I love photography. I always feel all giddy when my beloved tells me to grab my camera and says “we are going for a ride, Sweety”. It was nice Saturday afternoon (Spring arrives early in Arizona), so we snatched up our cameras to take photos.
We just went east toward the desert; my beloved wanted to take a certain photo to enter into a photography contest. I didn’t care where we went; I was fine because I knew the desert was blooming.
We stopped at a little area which is mainly populated with cacti. I mean big ones 
(and little ones). We got out of the car, walked around a little, found a couple of wildflowers to snap photos of. All of a sudden I experienced a piercing pain down my leg. At first I was really worried since it is known to encounter rattlesnakes in the desert. I looked down my leg and found a “jumping cactus” hanging on my pant leg. My first reaction? I grabbed it with my hands to get it off of me; which was really not a good idea. I just wanted the pain to stop.
Tonight, as was thinking back on what had happened Saturday afternoon, I was reminded of the pain our Lord experienced when a crown of thorns was put on Him. Oh, how painful it must have been. Do you think He might have wanted to pull the crown of thorns off of His head? I know it would have been my first reaction.
Contrary to my reaction, Jesus didn’t pull off the crown of thorns – He endured the pain. He knew that He had to go through with it — all of it. The pain, the mockery by men, the crucifixion. He wanted to make sure that we have a way to spend eternity with Him – painful as it might have been…
Oh sweet Jesus – thank You for enduring the pain for me. I know that the crown of thorns was meant for me. You took it upon Yourself to endure the pain. Instead of the crown of thorns You gave me the crown of life. I will never be able to repay You for that. I love You, Lord. In Your precious name I pray ~ Amen
As we approach Easter this year, share the story of the biggest sacrifice ever with the ones who do not believe – yet. God will do the rest…
Blessings on your day…
Very beautiful my friend, bless you.
Great illustration. I’ve even been pricked by a cactus! But that pales in comparison to what Jesus experienced with that crown of thorns. Thanks for sharing.
I know this is a strange one…..but withdrawl me please from the drawing. =) GOD has provided for me to attend She Speaks! So, I’m entering Valerie Elswick in my place if that’s ok? She’s so awesome and I just love her to pieces!
Isn’t God so awesome?? First the recognition in the devotional that Jesus endured such pain… then in the comment by Nicki above! Praise God for providing for her to attend She Speaks!!! And how gracious that she wants to enter someone in the scholarship drawing in her place. God is so good, every day, every minute. I love watching Him work!!
Grace & Peace,
Sherry
PS, please enter me! 🙂
Yes, my first reaction would have been to pull it off too. It’s amazing and humbling to think on all that He went through for us.
Thank you for entering me today!
Jen
I never thought about the fact that He CHOSE to keep that painful crown on His head. Powerful!
I shall never, ever look at cactus the same. Thank you for that beautiful illustration. *sigh* horrid and beautiful reminder of our sin and His sacrifice.
also, please enter me again today!
Tears rolling down my face and then the word YET hit me and dried my tears, bringing the reminder of HOPE,(those who do not believe) just like Jesus does and did.
Laced with Grace is PRECIOUS!
PLease ENTER ME!
Iris. That was a moving illustration. I had not thought of the crown as in something He would try to reach up and remove…but that is exactly what we would do…try and get out from under the pain of it all. But He endured. For me. Just blows me away. Especially today. When I whined to Him all the way to work.
I love you girl. You bring such awesome things into focus for me.
Beautiful analogy! And I think I still have scars from jumping cactus attacking while I was growing up. Hate thoes =)
Nicely said. Thanks for the reminder!
Enter me, please.
Our Church is performing “Heavens Gates & Hell’s Flames right now.
And if you have never heard of it, it is a play about choices people make & the consequences therein. In the begining, they act out Jesus being crucified. And while I know it is not real in a sense…..in reality it happened & his sacrifice enables us to recieve the blessings of salvation & spend an eternity with HIM.
Please enter me!
Iris,
I am utterly humbled to think about the crucifiction. I almost cannot bear it… Wonderful post. I have been moved this year as Easter approaches to focus fully on the gift that is ours because of the cross. Thank you my friend.
BTW, … A jumping cactus… too funny…. never heard of it. You always make me smile.
********Wow, great devotion today*********************
As I ponder the crown of thorns our Jesus wore for us, I consider the pain he experienced. While we know that life has its ups and down moments it seems our country is in a season of trials, from a sinking economy. These “thorns” we experience in our lives although painful indeed, quickly reminds me of a God that loves us and weeps for our pains. God bless you all who may be having a thorn moment.
Enter me please.
Eileen G.
Thank you for these wonderful words of life–
Blessings,
Julia
PS- Please “enter me” too!
thank you!
I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice and cannot begin to imagine how much He suffered. Let us never be ashamed of Him before men…you know the rest.
“Enter Me”
I’m new to this site. domoore at Christian-Chat.net sent me here. I’ve already bookmarked it, because I love what little I’ve had a chance to read. Thank you.
Melissa
Thank you for the reminder of the thorns my Savior wore for me. I was 13 when I began to realize Christ’s suffering in full measure. I was at a youth retreat and remember a presentation via a slide show that depicted Christ’s immense pain. Those are images that stay with me. They marked my life kingdom living. How thankful I am that he chose the thorns.
peace~elaine
please enter me!
Beautifully written. I have a lost loved one. I’m doing my part by holding them up in prayer. I’m doing my best – and I’m trusting God to do the rest. Please add him to your prayer list. His name is Brad. Thank you and I would like to be entered in the contest.
What beautiful words to hear, especially as we’re about to celebrate His resurrection worldwide in a couple of weeks.
No matter how many times I think about the cruxifiction, it boggles my mind that he said to his father, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Me? I’m always trying to get God to do things my way. But the grace and obedience of Jesus astounds as it reminds me that it’s not about me. It’s about growing close to God who gave everything to call me to him.
Enter me please.
Thank you so much
Please enter me
Christie
What amazing post! Funny, but I saw a picture of a dog that had been attacked by a porcupine – needless to say it had lost – and I had the same imagery come to mind. The poor dog had those needles stuck all in it’s face and head and all I could think about was how Jesus WILLINGLY did that for me! He stood in my place! AMAZING love!! Thanks for this reminder!
OH LAND SAKES NICKI!! Thank you for being so generous girl! I love you too!
Val
ENTER ME please!
Thanks for sharing. I realize sometimes that I’ve told the account of Christ’s death so many times that in ministering to youth that I forget to pause and really take it in – really think about the details of what He went through on my behalf. We were reminded in church this weekend that those thorns were the size of a man’s fingers (not like rose bush thorns I so often picture in my mind), and that the word “excruciating” comes from “excrucias” meaning “from the cross”. The word we use to describe the worst pain immaginable actually comes from our Lord’s own experience. Wow. Thanks for the reminder today!
By the way, there are cacti that jump? Oh, mercy….
Please enter me!
I cannot imagine the pain he endured. Thank you for the analogy of the crown of throwns to a cactus.
Please enter me today, thank you.
I did not read this devotion until I came home from working with preschoolers with special needs today. As I worked with one little boy today I noticed his hands, scarred, missing index fingers on both hands but the most precious hands I have ever held (besides my own children) As I tried to keep the tears contained in me, my thoughts wondered “why”. What was so amazing was there were no complaints from this little miracle. His face was one big smile and as I held his hands and did hand over hand activities with him I felt thankful to be working with him and the peace of Jesus came over me that I knew I did not need to wonder “why” God surely has a plan for him and HIS suffering is much more than any of us will ever go through! Thanks for the devotion.
Serving Him,
Kris
“Please Enter Me”
good reminder my friend. xo
i remember my brother falling on top of a cactus once — not fun! and a moment that will definitely ALWAYS be remembered.
love always….
To God be the Glory!!
Kelley
please enter me in the She Speaks drawing
That is our first reaction to any kind of pain…to relive it ourselves. Just like problems or sin in our lives we try to make it better all the time forgetting the great price Jesus paid so that we wouldn’t’ have to. It is so comforting to know God places such things in our lives, as a cactus, to remind us he sent his Son to accept[t all our sins and provide for us a way to live with him forever. How awesome is that !!! Thank you for sharing this today. I needed to be reminded life does not have to be complicated.
Angela.
“enter me”
Beautiful illustration!
Please enter me – thanks!
Grace
Thanks for sharing, Iris. I am just speechless, but the analogy continues to play in mind. Very thought-provoking.
Laura
Please – enter me
I am also thankful for the great sacrifice my savior paid. Lord help us to never forget. I have never known a greater love!
Hope you’re having a great day!
Your love for Christ is totally contagious.
What a blessing we have received. Sometimes it really is hard to think that Jesus loved us that much to bear the thorns of our lives. It makes me want to sing, Jesus Loves Me.
Thank you for your words today.
Please enter me
Blessings,
Rachel
Thank you!
Please enter me!
Thank you for this sobering post. This is the most important message to share – the gospel of our Lord Jesus!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”
Phil. 3:10
I want to know Him more and more each day. Yes we are willing to experience the power of His resurrection, BUT are we willing to experience the fellowship of his sufferings?
Lord, let me be willing to do whatever it takes, according to Your will, to know You in a fuller and richer way. Amen
Please “Enter Me”
I don’t think we can begin to comprehend all that Jesus suffered on our behalf. This was such a poignant picture of the pain He was willing to endure – all for love.
My grandmother loved cati and thought no flower was more beautiful. She would warn of the thorns. They are nice to look at but don’t touch. I have been stuck by my fair share but never thought to liken that to what Christ endured for me. Thank you for reminding me that no pain I suffer could measure up to His and if I suffer with Him, I will indeed reign with Him.
Enter Me
Lisa E.
Well written, Iris – and so meaningful, too. Know that you are paying it forward, you are paying Him – in a way. You’re spreading His word, you’re reaching others, you’re one of His.
I love the photo you shared today, too – wonderfully taken.
Oh what a GREAT reminder!! I LOVE IT!! Thank you for sharing.. I have a passion for photography too… but you put yours in GREAT perspective!!!!
Jesus had the choice of yanking away the crown of thorns from his head, turning and running for his life when he saw the hill of golgotha in view, contrary to what you and i would do, when he thought of me and the death before me, he bore the pain and walked on… Enter me.
Akech
the crown…. just a tiny portion of the pain….he bore for me. Thnx for such a clear illustration… I’m a huge baby when it comes to pokey things (shots- blod draws etc.. make me pass out) I can’t imagine all that He suffered.
I enjoyed reading that AND needed to read that – thank you!
“…Jesus didn’t pull off the crown of thorns – He endured the pain”
Thank you for this beautiful reminder Iris that he endured the pain just for us.
Enduring the pain for us all when He could have come down at any time.
What an awesome Savior we have!
Denise A
ENTER ME