Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. — James 1.2
Editor’s note: I recently posted the a question that occurred to me as I read James 1.12. Below is a thoughtful response I received to the question:
Here’s the response… have a thought you care to share? Leave a comment below or submit content here.
Hi Jack, I have to thank you for your question about the crown of life mentioned in James 1:12. I prayed, read my Bible and then a song came to mind. Here’s what was revealed to me.
In Revelation 2: 8-10, Jesus tells the church at Smyrna
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.”
Jesus had a crown of thorns put on him as he was to be crucified. Matthew 27:29. My thought: It was a crown of death. The first time thorns are mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 3:18. They are mentioned as part of the result of the fall of man.
In John 19:13 Nicodemus brought myrrh to put on Jesus. In the concordance, the words “Smyrna” and “myrhh” mean the same thing (strengthened).
It’s interesting to me that Jesus talked to the church of Smyrna about the crown of life. In summary: Jesus died for us wearing the crown of thorns, which represented the fall of man. The soldiers had no idea what they were doing when they placed this on his head, but God did: this death allows us to receive the “crown of life.”
The song that came to mind is ” Hail to the King” by Don Moen:
Bright morning star
King of all days
Reign in our hearts
And ride on our praise
You are crowned in majesty
Awaken us now
Set us ablaze
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your name be raised
Hear the song of the redeemed
Be exalted as we sing
[Chorus]
Hail to the King
Hail to the living Word
Let praise arise
Heaven and earth
Sing praise to the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Power and strength
Are Yours alone
Hail to the King
Hail to the King