Our Crown of Thorns

I still remember the first time I saw a cactus growing naturally in its environment. I live in the prairies, so going to see the desert is always a cool experience. I know a cactus thorn is sharp but I didn’t know if I realized how sharp they really are until the first time I saw one. I couldn’t resist just barely touching the tip of one. The sharpness surprised me and left a dull ache in the spot I had touched it.  

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.”

Matt. 27:27–30

There are times in life that hurt so badly they surprise you with the pain. When you are brought to your knees in desperation and sorrow. Why this? Why now? Could this have been avoided? Did I do something to deserve this?

The week after my little sister died I had gone back to work for a few days, mostly because I needed something to fill my time. So that I wouldn’t be filled with the questions. I was lost and numbly going about the actions on a usual day. 

I had gotten up from my desk and walked into the kitchen area to fill my water bottle and I overheard my boss talking about my being at work. I heard him say to my coworker “I don’t know why she’s even that sad. It’s not a big deal. They couldn’t have been that close. She’s acting ridiculously.” 

I immediately broke down into tears and grabbed my stuff and left, not telling anyone I was leaving. He had poured salt into my tender wounds in a heartless way. He acted cruel and unkind. 

All around us are people who are suffering through unimaginable tragedies. Marriages in trouble. Families struggling to feed themselves. People with severe mental health struggles. Some struggle with suicidal thoughts. Parents with heavy hearts over a child’s actions and the consequences of sin. Daily physical pain wearing down others. People who are numbly going through their days trying to hold back their tears and put on a brave face. 

One of the most amazing things to me about Jesus Christ is how He knows how to comfort us. Somehow, in the process of His Infinite Atonement He felt every single heartache and pain. In His agony He became acquainted with each of our individualized sorrows. 

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the illnesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

Alma 7:11–12

For the purpose of mocking and causing Jesus pain, the soldiers fashioned a crown of thorns and placed it on His head. They were cruel and unkind. Jesus then turned that crown of pain into something holy. His experiences were such that He understands ours completely. Our pain and suffering may be our crown of thorns.  If we allow Jesus to help us endure the pain and then heal, He can turn it into something holy too.

Pain, loss, suffering, consequences of sin are all a part of our earthly experience. They come to us through our choices or others’ choices and through imperfect physical bodies. We can not avoid them. They were, in fact, part of the deal of this earthly experience. Even essential in our growth and development. For us to become Celestial beings who can live with God we must experience the pain.

These painful experiences can change us. They can turn us into spiteful, mean creatures. Or they can soften our hearts and minds. We can cling to the principles of the gospel and hold onto the knowledge that God will carry us through them. We can build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in the midst of our suffering. It is in the pain, loss, suffering, and consequences that we truly find His love. We see how He can save us. We can see how He can turn our pain and suffering into something holy.

May we each let Him help us endure, comfort and heal us. 

PC: Rhonda Steed Photography – ‘Crown of Thorns’ can be purchased in the shop at ArtfulHeart.org