Can Any Good Come From a Crown of Thorns?

Several years ago Su planted a flowering bush in her special garden behind our house. It's local name is "corona de espinas" or crown of thorns. Unfortunately, this particular plant has suffered its own "Via Dolorosa" since taking root in our backyard.

While I was trimming the lawn, I accidentally cut a great deal of it away with the weed-whacker. You can imagine that Su was NOT impressed with my lawn care skills that day. Later, one of our gardeners from the campus cut it back when he was taking care of our lawn while Su and I were both away. I am not bitter, but I seem to remember she was much more gracious with him than she had been with me. During a few rainy seasons the star grass almost overwhelmed it. Recently it survived one of our worst dry spells ever. Of course, for the past three years Su has not been able to take care of her hidden garden - and all the plants have missed her careful attention.

Still - having survived negligence and attempted "planticide" - it is now in full bloom. 

Looking at it this weekend, I couldn't help but think of its historical namesake that we see in Matthew 27:29 and John 19:2-5. After the illegal trials and beating of Jesus, the Roman soldiers "..twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head..." (John 19:2, ESV) All of us have probably thought about how painful that was. However, the crown of thorns was probably more about mocking Jesus than it was about pain. It took a symbol of His God-given kingship and turned it into something degrading.

For those of us observing Holy Week during the next seven days, the crown of thorns reminds us that Jesus is the "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:16, ESV) What the soldiers thought was a convenient way to mock Him became a picture of Jesus' roles of suffering servant (Isaiah 53) and of conquering King. He really does come out on top in the end.

Of course we should never forget that Jesus was willing to endure the shame AND the pain on our account. Because of what He went through we can also experience His victory over the petty, the painful and, even, the degrading.

Even though I was one of its original tormentors, I am glad Su's crown of thorns stuck around and bloomed during our final week in Costa Rica. It gives me hope that some good will come out of all the pain of saying good-bye. It reminds me - like the old preacher said - "Friday was full of pain and suffering, but Sunday is a comin'."