“His Abide”
Reading  Reflecting  Responding

Writing it All Down
Walking it Out

Context: Matthew 27  Focus:  Matthew 27: 27-31
“And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns,  (My emphasis) they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand.” Matthew 27: 28-29

After Jesus was flogged, the Governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  They weaved thorn branches into a crown and put it on His head and placed a reed stick in His right hand as a scepter.  Then they knelt before Him in mockery and taunted “Hail King of the Jews”. And they spat on Him and grabbed the stick and struck Him on the head with it.  When they grew tired of the mockery, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again.
Then they led Him away to be crucified.

I can’t imagine the pain and humiliation felt by an ordinary man during this ordeal, but to think the King of Kings, God incarnate suffering silently, submitting to the horrible abuse, seems impossible, unreal.

What got my attention was the crown of thorns that were driven mercilessly into His precious head, His mind and flesh pierced so violently, that blood ran into his eyes and face. Then I discovered how the ark of the covenant and its “mercy seat” was made of wood cut from the Acacia tree. This tree has thorns at least four inches long with toxic leaves and pods.  Why would the Lord instruct Moses to use the wood from such a toxic tree?  Everything in nature has a way of protecting itself. Could it be this wood symbolizes God’s protection of the contents which speaks of His Covenant and Mercy Seat while Cherubim guard it with constant focus?

There is much written about the physical torment of Christ’s suffering, during the flogging, and while pierced to the tree.  But I believe the thorns on His Head speak of the mental suffering while maintaining  His Sovereignty.  As He prayed before He drank the cup of His ordained commission, great drops of blood fell from His face, knowing He would be exposed to our impure thoughts. His submission to God produced the anguish of everyone’s sin and shame without escape, never experiencing separation, an ill conscience, impure thoughts, bitterness, or fear.  His conscience was pierced through and through for our sakes, for our rescue. He was put to shame so we would not experience the conscious shame of our iniquities.

Anyone whose been through a deep depression from guilt, discouragement,  and/or the devil’s accusations can relate just a nanosecond of how Christ also suffered tremendously,  mentally, emotionally, silently, and privately, as the darkness covered the earth.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Son not only took on physical suffering but mental and emotional suffering, too. We’ll never know the extent of what it cost Him to deliver us from sin so He could present those who accept your salvation, one day, sanctified, cleansed, to you.
Thank You, Jesus, for giving your all, may we learn to give our all, too.

CR – Psalm 69: 7,18,  Isaiah 53:3-5, Isaiah 54:4, Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:34, Amos 8:9