CROWNED CHILDREN

Many schoolchildren will have learned that one of the kings of England, when a boy of only nine years of age, was crowned at Gloucester with his mother's bracelet. The great crown of the Realm had been lost with other jewels at the time when the royal party had crossed the Wash. Many years before this, Joash, one of the kings of Judah, was crowned at the age of only seven years, during which time he had been kept in hiding because of wicked persons. His name means 'whom God supports', and he was certainly supported as a good king whilst he was subject to God's will and helped the priests in His temple service and worship.

Crowns of royalty such as those referred to are not often mentioned in Scripture. In the New Testament especially, a crown represents some distinction or celebrates a victory. Paul wrote that the saints in Philippi were his "joy and crown" because his ministry had led to their conversion. It is possible that a believer reading these words may be distinguished in Heaven's sight as the crown of one who has been used in this way of blessing. In any case every Christian should be contending as in a foot-race for a crown which will never perish as did the old Greek crowns made of leaves.

We often sing the words: -

'Jesus, Thy head, once crowned with thorns,

Is crowned with glory now;

Heav'n's royal diadem adorns

The mighty Victor's brow'.

The scarlet robe arrayed on Jesus was removed again, but it seems that He still wore the crown of thorns when on the cross. This was all in mockery, but is the crucified One the true King and Victor in your heart?

J.C.Evershed