The Pricking Thorn of God’s Grace (Eze 28:20-24; 2 Cor 12:1-10)
The concept of “thorns” in the Bible is rich with symbolic meaning, representing suffering, trials, and divine discipline. These thorns, mentioned in various passages such as Joshua 23:13, Ezekiel 28:20-24, and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, serve as tools for spiritual refinement and reminders of human frailty.
The Apostle Paul, despite his profound spiritual experiences, including a vision of the “third heaven” where he witnessed inexpressible things (2 Corinthians 12:1-5), endured what he called a “thorn in the flesh.” This thorn, described as a “messenger of Satan” sent to torment him (2 Corinthians 12:7), has been the subject of much debate among scholars. Some believe it was a physical ailment, while others suggest it was a form of spiritual or emotional struggle. Regardless of its exact nature, this thorn caused Paul great suffering, leading him to plead with God three times for its removal. However, God chose not to remove it, instead responding with, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This response underscores a key biblical principle: in human weakness, God’s strength and glory are fully manifested.
Thorns are often used in the Bible to symbolize the trials and suffering that believers must endure. After Adam and Eve’s disobedience, God cursed the ground to produce thorns and thistles, representing the toil and suffering that would now be part of human existence (Genesis 3:17-19). In the New Testament, thorns are also associated with the sufferings of Jesus, particularly the crown of thorns placed on His head during the crucifixion (John 19:5). This crown symbolizes the curse of sin and the immense suffering Jesus bore for humanity.
Thorns also serve as tools of divine discipline. In Numbers 33:55, God warns the Israelites that if they do not drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, those remaining would become “thorns” in their sides, leading them into sin and causing them trouble. This warning emphasizes that disobedience to God’s commands can bring about communal suffering.
The story of the King of Tyre in Ezekiel 28 illustrates the dangers of pride. The king, renowned for his wisdom and success, became arrogant and was ultimately brought down by God. His downfall is a reminder that pride leads to destruction, as stated in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” The narrative underscores the importance of humility and recognizing that all wisdom and success come from God.
Ezekiel 28 also foretells the downfall of Sidon, a city that followed in the footsteps of Tyre. The people of Sidon, led astray by idol worshipping, provoked God’s wrath and faced destruction as a result. This passage highlights the consequences of turning away from God and serves as a warning to remain steadfast in faith and humility.
The crown of thorns worn by Jesus during His crucifixion is one of the most poignant symbols of suffering in Christianity. It represents not only the physical pain that Jesus endured but also the burden of the world’s sins that He took upon Himself. For believers, the crown of thorns is a reminder that through Jesus’ suffering, they have been given the strength to overcome their own “thorns in the flesh”—the trials and hardships they face in life.
The blood that Jesus shed from those thorns is seen as the means by which believers are cleansed from their sins and empowered to endure their own sufferings. This understanding is rooted in the belief that Jesus’ victory over death assures believers that they too can triumph over the challenges they encounter.
Thorns are given to believers not as a punishment but as a means of spiritual growth. Just as Paul’s thorn kept him humble and reliant on God, the thorns in our lives serve as reminders of our dependence on divine strength. These challenges, whether physical illnesses, personal struggles, or external opposition, are used by God to refine and strengthen our faith.
The ultimate lesson of the thorn is that through faith, believers can overcome any trials. Paul’s declaration, “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties” (2 Corinthians 12:10), reflects the Christians are called to find joy even in suffering. This joy comes from the assurance that God’s power is made perfect in weakness and that every thorn serves a greater purpose in God’s plan.
Believers are encouraged to view their trials not as obstacles but as opportunities for spiritual growth. By embracing their thorns and seeking God’s grace, they can experience the fulfilment of God’s purposes in their lives. This process of overcoming is not about escaping suffering but about finding strength and purpose within it.
The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who faced and overcame their thorns through faith. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob, endured numerous thorns throughout his life. He was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and imprisoned. Despite these trials, Joseph’s character was refined, and he ultimately saved his people from famine, revealing God’s glory through his suffering.
These examples teach us that thorns, while painful, are essential for spiritual growth. They remind us of our limitations and our need for God’s strength. Through prayer and reliance on God’s grace, believers can not only endure their thorns but also find purpose and victory in them.
Thorns, as depicted in the Bible, are more than just symbols of suffering; they are divine instruments used to bring about humility, dependence on God, and spiritual growth.
The Apostle Paul’s experience with his thorn in the flesh teaches us that even in our most challenging moments, God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is perfected in our weaknesses.
Through faith, we can overcome the thorns in our lives, finding strength in God’s promises and purpose in our suffering. In doing so, we reveal God’s glory to the world and grow in our own spiritual journey. The thorns we endure today are nothing compared to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and through His sacrifice, we are empowered to live victorious lives.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 