When you get dressed today, boys and girls, don’t forget to wear your crown! Or did you think that crowns were only for kings and queens? Certainly kings and queens do wear crowns, but there are other kinds of crowns too, and some of them can be for you.
Some of the first crowns ever made were not of silver or gold at all. They were made of leaves and flowers and given to the winners of races or poetry contests. Of course, these crowns wilted and faded, but at the time the winners considered the crown to be a grand prize.
King Henry V of England had a special crown. He wore it on his helmet during a battle. Some say the crown saved King Henry’s life when part of it was chipped off during the fighting. When Queen Victoria was to be crowned she was only 18 years old and too small to be able to wear the heavy crown that was usually worn at the coronation. So they made a new crown for her that had 2,783 diamonds, 277 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies. Even with all those jewels it was lighter than the other crown.
The present Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, has a crown made of silver. It’s trimmed with many jewels, like the Koh-i-noor diamond which is one of the most famous diamonds in all the world. But the crown is so heavy and uncomfortable that they had to line it with ermine fur, and even then the Queen cannot wear it for very long. Most of the time it sits in a heavy glass case with guards around it. When the Lord Jesus comes back to rule the world and the earth and heaven flee away before the face of Him that sits on the throne, this heavy crown will return to nothing, as it was before God created the world.
But none of these crowns are for you and me. We will never be the king or queen of England. But the Bible does tell us of other crowns that can be for us. The “crown of life” is for those who have been faithful to the Lord Jesus unto death. The “crown of glory” is for those who have helped take care of God’s sheep. And the “crown of righteousness” is for those who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus. These are crowns that the Lord Jesus will give in heaven to those who have been faithful. These crowns will not fade away like the crowns of leaves! And no one will find them to be too heavy, like the English crowns!
But do we have to wait until we get to heaven for all the crowns? What about the one I suggested that you wear today? That crown is found in Psalm 103:2,42Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Psalm 103:2)
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; (Psalm 103:4). “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits . . . who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.” This sparkling crown is very comfortable, even in bed! It will not fade and it will not disappear when the heavens and the earth melt away. You can even wear it in heaven. This crown is the loving-kindness of the Lord Jesus and His tender mercies. How the Lord Jesus loves to see you with this crown on! If you aren’t wearing it, maybe it’s because you’ve never accepted the greatest loving-kindness ever given - the forgiveness of your sins. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7).
There are some people who seem to wear this crown of loving-kindness all the time, and how it sparkles! You don’t have to do anything to earn it, for it is given by the loving favor of the Lord Jesus. One dear Christian lady in Canada used to wear this crown every time I saw her. She was old and had health troubles and very often she was alone. But her joy in the Lord Jesus shone out so beautifully that it was clear that she was wearing her crown of loving-kindness and tender mercies.
One day this Christian lady came to our house for supper when we had invited some of the children from the Sunday school. These children, I’m afraid, not only did not have a crown but they also did not have the Saviour. They spent quite a lot of time complaining and running noisily up and down the stairs. My smile faded as I tried to calm down these children, and I’m afraid any crown that I might have had faded too. But this dear Christian lady’s crown kept shining. She saw more than just the naughty children. She saw their precious souls that needed salvation and called them “dear children” and wanted a kiss from each one as they left. I’ve never forgotten that visit even though it was many years ago, because our dear old friend was wearing her crown, and I saw it sparkle.
Before we stop talking about crowns there is one more special crown that I must tell you about. If it were not for this crown, then it would not be possible for you or me or even that dear old lady to have a crown at all. This crown was made of thorns and it was placed upon the head of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Although He is truly King of all kings and Lord of all lords, He came into this world to die on the cross for our sins. Wicked men placed that crown of thorns on His head, and Jesus wore it for you and for me. Have you ever thanked Him?
If you have never received the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, then you cannot have any of the crowns in heaven and you cannot wear the crown of loving-kindness now. But that can be changed if you will do what this Bible verse says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
If you have already accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then don’t forget to let your crown be seen! You’ll enjoy it, and I’ll be happy to see it sparkle. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:1616Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).
ML-11/14/1993