Jesus dying on the Cross is the central event to His Life. And thorns play an important role.
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John, we see the Romans place a twisted ‘Crown of Thorns’ on His head.
Turin Shroud
This funeral shroud is purported to be the cloth Jesus was buried in. Some people believe it is a forgery, while other are convinced of its validity.
My personal view is that if it is not the shroud He was buried in, then it is likely to be someone who was crucified in a similar manner to Christ. Maybe a Christian martyr. It therefore gives us a glimpse into how Christ may have been crucified.
Some Turin Shroud Researchers believe that the crown was actually a cap of thorns. They argue that the blood-flow from the head and the way the hair is matted suggests a cap not a crown.
Either case, a crown or a cap, both would be excruciatingly painful.
Meaning of the Thorny Crown
We have learned through the previous posts in this series that thorns have a particular imagery in the Old Testament.
The Crown of Thorns could be considered a crown of worthlessness. A fruitless crown which bestows neither honour or power.
In this image, the crowned Christ becomes the King of Adam’s Curse. He takes ownership and responsibility for Adam’s failings.
It also reminds me of the ram caught in the thicket, in the story of Abraham and Isaac. Where, Jesus is shown to be the eternal sacrifice.
The Crucifixion and Eden
The death scene of Jesus maps beautifully onto the image of the Garden of Eden.
Traditionally, early Christians saw that the down beam of the Cross representing the Tree of Life. The Tree which Adam and Eve could not partake of, due to their rebellious decision.
The early Christians also believed the cross beam represented the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This was further clarified by the good and bad thief, on either side of Jesus. The thief who chose to trust in Christ versus the thief who continued to mock and reject Him.
It is recorded, Jesus had his clothes removed and died either with a loin cloth or naked. Either way, this is related to the fig tree. Its leaves were used to hide the nakedness of Adam and Eve. Jesus died without clothes, in shame He died.
Finally, the thorn bush is represented by the Crown of Thorns. Whereas the thorns are outside in the story of the Garden of Eden, here they are placed at the highest point, on the head of Christ Himself.
This is profound.
God takes all the suffering of our lives upon Himself. The suffering caused by the Curse.
God, the Creator of all things, who gave the Curse to Adam, was the one who accepted it and fulfilled it.
Even though we may go through periods of suffering, we know He is with us. He has gone ahead of us. And He will carry us through any ordeal.
Without Him, we are lost in a painful maze of thistles and thorns. With Him, He guides us safely home.
So good.