Sitting in the dentist chair for two hours wasn’t what I’d imagined for my Tuesday morning. Going to the dentist is not my favourite thing to do! Having dental drills and suction and plastic things in my mouth for long amounts of time is not my idea of a good time. Thank goodness for the television on the ceiling to divert my attention!
Years ago, I had a back tooth break which needed a crown. I had a temporary filling put in which should’ve only lasted for six months, however, somehow I made it last for four years or so! I had procrastinated for that long in order to delay the inevitable, until it got to the point where the nagging inside of me said, “You really need to get that seen to now!” So, I gave in, and gathered up my courage.
Thank goodness I did. This tooth was in dire need of treatment! To prepare for the crown, the old filling had to be removed and the remaining tooth had to go through a thorough cleaning, sculpting, and fitting to prepare for the crown that was yet to come. For now, a temporary crown had been attached while the real crown was being made from stronger and more enduring materials that would last for years. And it wasn’t as bad of an experience as I’d imagined!
Crowns in the Bible
The Bible talks of different crowns.
Crowns of:
- Glory and honour (Psalm 8:5)
- Love and compassion (Psalm 103:4)
- Victory – for the humble (Psalm 149:4)
- A glorious crown of wisdom (Proverbs 4:9)
- Blessings – for the righteous (Proverbs 10:6)
- Knowledge – for the prudent (Proverbs 14:18)
- Gray hair is a crown of splendour attained in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 16:31)
- Everlasting joy (Isaiah 35:10)
- Beauty instead of ashes (Isaiah 61:3)
- Righteousness – to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8)
- Life (James 1:12)
The Bible also tells us that we are also crowns to each other. Children are a crown to their grandparents (Proverbs 17:6), and a wife of noble character is a crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4).
Crowns of Jesus
Jesus traded his heavenly crown for a crown of thorns when He was on this earth, and suffered death to take the punishment for all our sins so that we could be crowned with the crown of life. But when He comes back, He will wear many crowns (Revelation chapter 19 verse 12) and we will ‘sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown!’
‘The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.’ (Zechariah chapter 9 verses 16-17)
Just as I had to endure the dentist chair to prepare and be fitted for my dental crown, we too have many trials to bear in order to prepare and be fitted for our eternal crown. Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 about athletes who compete for their crown. They go into strict training to attain a crown that will not last. We too are in training, but for a crown that will last forever!
James chapter 1 verse twelve says:
‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.’
When we are finished on this earth, Jesus has a crown for each one of us who follow Him. This crown will not wear out. It will be made from strong, enduring materials that will last forever. It will endure because we endured.
‘Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’ (2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 8)
So, as my tooth has been cleaned and prepared for my dental crown, I am reminded that my life here on Earth is in preparation for a crown that will last forever. I shall keep moving forward, being refined, growing in strength as I am being prepared and made ready for that great reward. And in the words of Jesus:
‘I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.’ (Revelation chapter 19 verse 12)