Expressions of Faith
Crown of thorns can teach a lot

By H. Murray Hohns
Special to The Advertiser

I have spent most of the last 35 years working in dispute resolution, which means that arbitrating, mediating and serving as a neutral party are routine to me. Some disputes involve the religious community here and on the Mainland. And, thus, I was asked to serve as one of several mediators to help a group of professing Christian businessmen try to resolve a long-standing, hurtful dispute.

Disputes do terrible things to those involved. Emotion, fear of the result, shame, a sense of violation and stress constantly are present. Disputes take on a life of their own, they control the people involved. Just the slightest provocation can set off unfruitful hours of rehearsing elements of the arguments or hurts involved. Life is never more unfair than when one is involved in a dispute.

These defining characteristics were all present as this mediation got under way. We were scheduled for two days. Two mediators were ministers, and all the mediators, like the disputants, were active in their churches.

As we assembled for the second day, I discovered that one of the ministers had placed a crown of thorns on the table around which we sat. I looked at it, but said nothing. No one else said anything either. That crown of thorns just sat there all day.

I started thinking about this crown. I am 70 years old, and I had never contemplated a crown of thorns before that day. I have read the Easter story, seen this crown on actors and even on religious zealots in holiday settings in far off lands, but crowns are not part of my daily comings and goings. This one featured some mean looking thorns that made me wince as I thought how much it would hurt if someone shoved that crown onto my head.

I thought about the Roman soldiers who, in ignorance and arrogance, had fashioned and fastened a similar crown on the Savior's head.

I thought of the times when my own actions and selfishness had rudely put the true crown due this man on my head instead of his. I thought back on the 40 years I have known him and all the gentle loving guidance and care I have experienced at his hand. I could not get away from the irony represented by the crown and the foolishness of feeling contempt for a God that loves all of us, no matter what.

Soon I found my eyes filling with tears. I had no stake in the dispute; yet there I was, weeping and blowing my nose as that crown silently spoke to me. I don't cry in public. Yet I spent much of that day weeping. It was a good day.

Have you ever contemplated that crown of thorns, what it really means, why it is part of history? I wonder how the rights, preferences and prejudices that fill our days would fare if we each spent a day with such a crown before us.

H. Murray Hohns is a Makiki resident, a retired civil engineer and an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship.

Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes contributions by pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8036.