Pick Your Crown

 

I was thinking how in this world the rich and the powerful wear laurels of gold like the cesars, but our Lord wore a crown of thorns (John 19:5). In the same way as Christians we don a crown of thorns, of suffering. Oh prosperity teachers would have you believe we can have the golden laurels too, but they are wrong. I am reminded of those lyrics of DC Talk, “the high and lofty, they see me as weak, 'Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek.” (Jesus Freak). Our Lord did not promises riches and power here, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” (Matthew 6:19-21), and “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22). Ironic that parable of the sower mentions a different kind of thorns that chokes out the Word, golden tipped thorns. 

It is not popular to say we must wear a crown of thorns too, but the apostle says, “then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17). We want to believe this is the 21st Century and surly that is allegory. But it is not, the apostle also says, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12). Contrary to what is popularly taught, we are not promised wealth and esteem, but rather to follow in our Lord’s footsteps, disciples seek to be like the Rabbi in every way, and Jesus is our Rabbi and Lord God. We thus are pre-destined to wear a crown of thorns of our own in this life, and then recieve crowns of glory in the next, “lessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him,” (James 1:12), “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life,” (Revelation 2:10), “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory,” (1 Peter 5:4), and I “have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing (Second Coming),” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

You have to decide. Golden laurel now and you will have the word choked out of you or crown of thorns now and you will have a crown of life and glory. Jesus said it clearly, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24). Its easy to take route and say I can have both, but serving money will make you at odds with Christ’s commands, and you will have choked out of you the peace of God, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.,” (John 14:27) over the worries of wealth and keeping it. 

I know this is not a sermon many want to hear at Easter. I have mentioned these things many times. But I believe we are called to a crown of suffering, “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God,” (James 4:4), and “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:15-16). You can try to avoid these verses, but for how long? They are peppered throughout Scripture. You must decide, crown of this world or crown not of this world. You cannot straddle between loyalties, your heart ultimately will choose its god. Amen.