thorns

"Cursed is the ground because of you...

it will produce thorns and thistles for you."

Genesis 3:17,18

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"The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns

and put it on his head."

John 19:2

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A friend passed along the connection between these verses, and it just really struck me.... how Jesus wearing the crown of thorns is such a vivid portrayal of how he took upon himself our curse...... my curse.

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"Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:4-6