Pricked

I was helping out with some of the church set up for Good Friday.. and curiously touched some "special twigs" which were set aside on a table. "Eew!!", my hand immediately retracted when my fingers felt the small but numerous sharp thorns.

Pastor C quickly popped her head into this cubicle and in her most loving manner said "Be careful, those stems are thorny (from the Passion plant). We are going to make them into crowns of thorns. If you want to help, you'll need to find a pair of gloves, else you'll be hurt." I cheekily replied, "Oh, it's ok, Jesus bore the pain with the crown of thorns set on His head. And even bled for us on the cross. Why shouldn't I endure this little pain?"

Matthew 27:28-30
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

I wondered. If the crown of thorns we made are like those during the days of Jesus, then would it hurt to make them? Imagine anyone probably in a haste (so obviously won't be gently and carefully avoiding the thorns) gathering (again probably by forcefully plucking out) some (so I suppose there's not just one plucks, but a few tugs) stems/branches and even had to twist them (with bare hands, it would be ouch-ouch-ouch-ouch-ouch) into a crown of thorns, and then pressing it onto Jesus's head. Ever tried pressing your hands on a pokey porcupine or hedgehog? I would think it hurts.

I wonder why the soldiers bothered to twist together a crown of thorns when it would actually hurt them? Why do people today reject God and cause themselves to be hurt?

I learnt, when we do things that hurt ourselves or others, God hurts too. Would we, thus, choose to please God first and in turn please others?

Lord, remind me that when I hurt You and others, I will hurt myself. Help me to love You and please You and trust that Your blessings will overflow in my life to all those around.