The following is today's installment of the devotional "Faithwalk," by Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett of Back to the Bible. For this and other daily devotionals, visit
Devotions.org.
28They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.29And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
The imagery of the crown that was set on Jesus' head is much fuller than the English translation conveys. It was a crudely and cruelly fashioned crown, the branches of a thorn bush hastily twisted together. The blows to Jesus' head undoubtedly added to the torment as the thorns pushed painfully into His scalp. That much of the picture is evident, but there is more.
The crown specifically was a stephanos. This is the word for the victor's crown, the type given as the symbol of triumph. The person awarding the victor's crown might be wearing a crown as well-in this case a diadem, the ruler's crown. These two Greek words are both translated "crown," the one belonging to the ruler and the other to the overcomer.
The crude and cruel crown of thorns upon Jesus' brow was more than just a crown. It was the symbol of the overcomer.
The next time Jesus is described as wearing a crown is in Revelation 19:12, when He appears as the Rider on the White Horse. On His head are many crowns. This time the word used is diadem. The overcomer has returned to reign.
Worship King Jesus. He overcame death and hell. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jesus is King! Take a moment to pray, to worship, praising Him as King.
