CROWN OF THORNS

May 6

Bible Reading: John 19:1-16

John 19:2, “And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.”

Close to 30 million viewers watched the coronation of King Charles in May 2023.  The crown he wore that day was St. Edward’s Crown (commissioned for King Charles II in 1661) and was made of solid gold and studded with 444 stones (including rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnets, topaz, and tourmalines).  It had an estimated value of almost $60 million.  Jesus, the King of the Jews, wore no such crown as He made His way to the cross.  A group of anonymous Roman soldiers designed and crafted His crown with thorns instead of gold and jewels.

Rome spared no cruelty in their torment of criminals.  Pilate had Jesus scourged by his soldiers.  They did this with a whip that had iron and nails embedded.  Sometimes the scourging would continue until it reached the point of exposing bones.  After torturing Him in that way, the Roman soldiers mocked Him.  They had heard the accusation of the claim He was the King of the Jews, so they fashioned a crown of thorns.  Thorns are plentiful in that land, so it didn’t take long for them to gather them and weave them into a crown.  They pressed that instrument of torture into his forehead until more pain and bleeding ensued, and then mocked the One who was soon to bear their sins.

Thorns came into existence after the fall of Adam and Eve and are emblems of the curse of sin (Genesis 3:18).  Crowns symbolize one’s right to rule or supremacy over some sphere of influence.  Unknowingly, those callous soldiers declared, with their crude crown, Jesus to be the supreme curse bearer.  Let’s not forget that as the soldiers wove that crown of thorns, every detail of this passion account was woven ahead of time by God Himself (Acts 2:23).  It was the divine Son of God, in full subjection to the Father, who allowed Himself to be adorned in such a humble array.  And He did that out of love for you and me.

“What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinner’s gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain!”—Bernard of Clairvaux

O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED
O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
‘Tis I deserve Thy place;
look on me with Thy favor,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
for this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for Thee.

Be near when I am dying,
O show Thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free:
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from Thee shall never move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely in Thy love.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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