Isaac, our youngest son, was running around with no shoes on today when he stepped on something and a 5cm thorn pierced through his foot. It was nasty, and it took some time to push the thorn back out so that we could remove it. Concerned onlookers watched as tears streamed down Zac's face, and he prayed quiet prayers for Jesus' help as we tried one thing after the other to deal with the thorn and stem the bleeding that followed its removal.
Today's events reminded me of some other thorns that, on the day of his crucifixion, Jesus was pierced with. To increase his pain and humiliation and mock his claim of being "king of the Jews" as he was crucified, Jesus was given a crown made from thorn bushes twisted into a circle and forced cruelly onto his head.
The Roman soldiers beat and mocked Jesus, kneeling before Him as if He were a king. They were cruel and unmerciful, yet in contrast, Jesus cried out, "forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Ironically they took a crown of thorns, the very symbol of the curse brought upon the world after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were expelled from the Garden. As a result of this curse, the land began to grow weeds and thorns, and those same thorns in Jesus' crown symbolised this curse.
But, as Jesus wore that thorny crown and hung on a cross and bled and died, he broke the curse's power for all mankind as He bore the punishment and consequences of the curse of sin on our behalf.
On this Good Friday, I encourage you to remember and take hold of the truth and power depicted in the power of the thorns worn by Jesus. They symbolise the curse of sin and death and yet also remind us of Jesus' ultimate triumph over every curse, as he died and rose again. He broke the curse and removes the pain of every thorn in our life as we ask His forgiveness and allow Him to heal our wounds.
"But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took the curse for our wrongdoing upon himself. For it is written in the Scriptures, '
"Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (Galatians 3:13 NLT)
"For who the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:36)
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving your life for me and setting me free from every curse. Please help me walk in my freedom, reject anything that looks like the curse and live out my freedom and best life in you. In Jesus name Amen.
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