The Crowning with Thorns

This is day 37 of my 40 day Lenten Blog.

Before crucifying Jesus the Roman soldiers mocked Him. They called out the entire company, placed a purple robe on Him, stuck a reed in His hand to act as a scepter, and then crowned Him with a crown made of thorns. They came and knelt to Him, mocking Him, while spitting on Him and hitting Him.

As a Christian I claim that Jesus has lordship over me. As a Christian I claim to have cast my crown at His feet. Thus, whenever I disobey Him I am mocking His kingship every bit as much as the Roman soldiers. When I feel like the "little" sin of gossip, or jealousy, or greed, or pride won't hurt anything I am really shoving the thorns deeper into His scalp. When I skip Church or prayers or Bible reading because I feel like doing something else, or I am too tired, or one of a million other excuses I am spitting on Him. And perhaps most importantly of all, when I don't demonstrate a good example of being a Christian to my children and others I am kneeling to Him in mockery and encouraging others to do so as well.

Jesus wears a crown of thorns because I refuse to give Him a crown of gold. Jesus is mocked and humiliated and tortured not because of anything He did, but because of what we do--ALL of us-- but especially those of us who claim to love Him the most. We must turn from the lies of the world and worship at His feet instead of kneeling in mockery.

Today's prayer: Jesus, take lordship over my life.

R.C. VanLandingham lives in Florida with his wife and kids. He is the author of several books including the Christian fantasy books Peter Puckett & The Amulet of Eternity, Peter Puckett & the Enchanted Chalice, and Magdalene Hope & the Elves of Evermore.