King of Sinners

The prophet Hosea was sent by God to call out the sins of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and declare the punishment that was coming for their sins: exile in Assyria.

As Hosea calls out the list of sins and predicts the severe punishment using a host of colorful metaphors, he says this of Israel:

"Nettles shall possess their precious things of silver; thorns shall be in their tents." (9:6, ESV)

And again:

"The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars." (10:8)

Literal thorns would overgrow in Israel because of their exile.  But there is more here.  The metaphor of thorns is used here by the prophet, as it is throughout the Old Testament, as a representation of the curse of God for sin:

"And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field." (Gen 3:17-18)

Thorns are a reminder of the curse that we, by our sin, have earned.  They are a reminder that God's perfect creation was marred forever by our sin. They are a reminder that sin has consequences, and that the penalty must be paid for sin.

They are a reminder of the curse that was on us...

Until it was placed on Jesus:

"And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him." (Mark 15:17)

Jesus was indeed the King of the Jews.  He is indeed the King of all creation.  He is the King of our hearts and lives.

Because He - God's perfect Son - allowed Himself to be marred for our sin.  Because He stood in our place as the payment for our sin.

Because He wore our curse like a crown.  Because He became King of sinners - sinners like us.

Jesus, You are our King!







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