The Cross and the Crown
Isaiah 28:5
In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people.
Upon reflecting on this Isaiah 28 vision, my mind goes back to Hebrews 11, where the inspired author eulogizes heroes of the faith with one of the most defining statements in all the Scriptures: “of whom the world was not worthy.” He writes in verses 36-38a: “Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated...” Compare that to James 1:12, which says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” See Christian, our King’s crown is so glorious because His cross was so grotesque. His transfiguration is so beautiful because His disfiguration was so ugly.
So the question isn’t whether we will wear Him as our crown of glory on that day, when the hosts of Heaven are praising Him; the question is whether we’ll wear Him as our crown of glory on this day, when the hosts of earth are cursing Him.