Thorns & Thistles

Thorns and thistles are the hardy, painful weeds that overrun neglected ground. Their first mention is the curse after the Fall: “thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee,” marking the new struggle of work in a broken world.

From there thorns picture whatever hinders and chokes. In the parable of the sower, seed among thorns is choked by “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches.” Paul calls his unrelenting affliction “a thorn in the flesh,” a constant, humbling pain.

The deepest moment comes when soldiers press a crown of thorns onto Jesus’ head in mockery. Readers have long seen the symbolism: the King wears the very sign of the curse, taking the thorns of a fallen world upon himself — bearing the curse so that its sting might one day be removed.