Easter Series: The Crown

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When I think of crowns, I think of kings, queens...and Jesus. Words from Handel’s Messiah spring to life, “Who is this King of glory?” That was what came to mind when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem—symbolizing a king coming in peace. They said, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 19).

So I thought it strange when most references to crowns in scripture are not about Jesus, but about us! Only two were direct references to Christ—His crown of suffering and His crown of glory. The rest are an amazing mixture of gifts and promises.

There’s the crown of rescue: 

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Psalm 103:1-6, emphasis added.

A victor’s crown: 

“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.” Psalm 149:4-5, emphasis added.

From grief and loss to joy and beauty: 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3, emphasis added.

The transformation from the shame of sin... 

“Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.  The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!” Lamentations 5:15-16, emphasis added.

...to being jewels in our King’s crown: 

“The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be!” Zechariah 9:16-17, emphasis added.

Why should we get all these crowns? It is Jesus Christ who deserves them. Yet man mocked His right to rule:  

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

“Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king.’
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face…When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’” John 18:37; 19:1-3, 5

But Jesus’ willingness to endure shame and suffering for us, gave us the chance to become royalty: 
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Cor. 9:24-25

We can even be a crown for our spiritual mentors: 

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown…!” Philippians 4:1. “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

Our crowns are the reward for faithfulness to Christ’s teaching and example: 

“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:4-5. 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12.

Diligent and humble leaders get crowns that last forever: 

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4.

And Jesus promised rewards for those who endure persecution: “‘Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.’” Revelation 2:10.

 ‘“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.’” Revelation 3:10-11.

The funny thing is, as soon as we get to heaven and receive our crowns, one look at Jesus and we give them all away! 

“The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, or you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:10-11.

There, finally, Jesus will finally wear the crown He deserves, and not just one, but many crowns, because He is sovereign over all the kingdoms of the earth. 

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.” Revelation 19:11-12.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne!

#Jesuscrown #crownofthorns #manycrowns #crownofglory #crownofvictory #crownofbeauty