Thorns for a King

Here is a recollection from last Easter. This Easter remember what Jesus did for you and me.

Jesu Juva

 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. Mark 15:17 (ESV)

Should Easter be day for sorrow, but at the same time a joyful celebration that fills the believer’s heart? How can it be both? Well, keep reading. Hopefully, the mystery will be resolved.

Good Friday is always a reminder that causes me to grapple with Jesus’ sacrifice. His was a sacrifice of obedience to the Father.

Knowing what Jesus went through is so overwhelming. It is hard for believers to comprehend. The one thing I know is I owe Him more than I ever repay. I simply love Him. My love for Him exists because of Himself. It’s His Love that helps me love.

Because of Jesus, I understand that loving people means finding ways to love them more. Christ-like love is not about how others can love me better; it’s about loving them because they were created in God’s image.

This love encourages me to find ways to love even when it’s difficult. I want to love because it honors my Savior, which brings me joy and contentment.

“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”

Revelation 4:8 (NKJV)

Blessed Trinity!

Jesus’ love is not self-serving. His Love is wholly sufficient.

Every believer who walks with God in a committed relationship knows about the Love that defies our understanding. This is Love that is priceless.

Yet this free Gift can be rejected.

I hope you will read Mark 15 with new vision. See the crucifixion and everything that our Savior endured. It was His focus and desire to obey His Father and to redeem us.

I want to share an old Medieval era lyric with you. It was written by Bernard of Clairvaux and later made famous by the music of J.S. Bach.

Sadly, we never sing it anymore, likely because of the archaic language. Pray before you read the lines and before you read the scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with our Savior’s Sacrifice, Love and Mercy.

O Sacred Head, now wounded,

With grief and shame weighed down.

Now scornfully surrounded

With thorns Thine only crown (Mark 15:7)

How pale Thou art with anguish,

With sore abuse and scorn,

How does that visage languish (the Light in His eyes)

Which once was bright as morn!

What language shall I borrow

To thank Thee, dearest Friend?

For this, Thy dying sorrow,

Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever,

And should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never

Outlive my love to Thee.

Did you see it? The answer to the sorrow and joy found at Calvary? If you still aren’t sure, read Colossians 1:19–22 below.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions.  But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him. (CSB)

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7

English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.