January 10, 2018 Wednesday

“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 struck him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him." The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."” (John 19:1-7 NIV)

            When I think of the hymn Crown Him with many Crowns this is the crown I think of the most.  I know many see a large golden crown ornate and very kingly and that is a crown Jesus deserves but to me the most meaningful crown is the crown of thorns. 

            Kings are supposed to wear, well kingly crowns that the greater the king the greater the crown adorning them.  But the simple and horrifying crown of thorns is a reminder to me of the love and patience of Jesus who came not to condemn but to redeem!

            Having to leave the pastoral ministry because of the pain I have every day except the days that are filled with weariness I look at the crown of thorns and rejoice that my King Jesus has borne my suffering and brings hope from HIS OWN SUFFERING AND DEATH! 

            All of the pain, suffering, horror, grief and destruction in the world we destroyed by our sin can have meaning and bring us hope as we behold the One who wears the crown of thorns to offer all of Himself for all of us!

            Come and receive the God gave Him best to heal us from our worst.  For the word savior weans one who heals and makes whole!  So maybe Jesus not only makes us holy but also wholly!

           This is Bonnie and my anniversary!  We were married at Pennington Gap, Virginia by her father and grandfather.  over the years we had Sarah, Jonathan and Rebecca.  Now we have another son Levi who married Sarah.  We have served God in many places as pastoral ministers in the United Methodist Church.  God has been and continues to be such a blessing.