Track Three: Crown of Promise

The third track, Crown of Promise, takes you deeper into the path of redemption with a contemplative exploration of the crown of thorns. This song captures the paradox of Jesus’ kingship – crowned with pain, yet reigning in love. The melody weaves a narrative of suffering and sovereignty, as each thorn represents the weight of sin He bore for us. As the music plays, listeners are invited to meditate on the profound symbolism of this crown – a fulfillment of prophecies and a testament to the sacrificial love that seeks to redeem and restore. “Crown of Promise” is an invitation to understand the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice and the eternal kingship that emerged from His humble acceptance of the thorns of our making.

Devotional for “Crown of Promise”

Introduction:

Welcome to the third devotional of “Journey of Redemption: The Path of the Cross.” In “Crown of Promise,” we contemplate the crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head, symbolizing both the weight of our sins and His kingship. This song and devotional invite you to reflect on the meaning behind this crown and the promise it holds for every believer.

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 27:27-31 Reflect on the passage where soldiers mockingly place a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, a painful moment laden with profound symbolism.

Reflective Questions:

1. As you envision the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, what does it symbolize for you personally?
2. How does the image of a suffering king challenge or change your understanding of power, kingship, and glory?
3. The crown of thorns was meant to mock, yet it represents our sins Jesus bore. How does this deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?

Listening to the Song:

As “Crown of Promise” plays, focus on the lyrics that depict the paradoxical nature of the crown of thorns. Allow the music to enhance your contemplation of Jesus’ humility, suffering, and the ultimate victory that the crown represents.

Personal Reflection:

Spend a few moments in quiet reflection or writing in your journal. Consider how the crown of thorns contrasts with the crowns of glory we’ll one day cast at Jesus’ feet (Revelation 4:10). Reflect on what areas of your life you need to submit to Jesus’ lordship.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, In the crown of thorns, I see the weight of my sins and the depth of Your love. You, the King of Kings, chose a crown of suffering to bring me salvation. Help me to understand the profound sacrifice You made and to live in the light of Your grace and truth. Teach me to see Your kingship not just in power but in humble sacrifice and boundless love. Amen.

Closing Thought:

Today, as you go about your daily tasks, remember the crown of thorns as a symbol of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Let it remind you of the humility and grace He embodied and the call for each of us to follow in His footsteps.

This devotional for “Crown of Promise” is designed to deepen the listener’s understanding and appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice and kingship, encouraging personal reflection, submission, and a commitment to embodying Christ-like humility and love in their own lives.

Lyrics

Crown of Promise

Verse 1

Upon His head, a crown of thorns, a cruel and mocking swirl,
Yet in this painful coronation, the redemption of the world.
Each pointed barb, a sin of ours, a burden He would bear,
Yet through the pain, His sovereignty, and love beyond compare.

Chorus:

Crown of promise, thorns of grace,
Each piercing point, our sins erase.
King of suffering, Prince of peace,
In His torment, our release.

Verse 2:

The prophets spoke of one to come, a ruler yet a lamb,
Who’d wear a crown not made of gold but of a thorny ram.
This King would rise above the pain, above the scorn and hate,
To bring us to His kingdom’s gate, to set our paths straight.

Chorus:

Crown of promise, thorns of grace,
Each piercing point, our sins erase.
King of suffering, Prince of peace,
In His torment, our release.

Bridge:

Oh, see the King who wears the thorns, who bears the weight of scorn,
Yet in His eyes, a flame of love, a new hope born.
For in this crown of suffering, our salvation’s song,
He turns our mourning into joy, makes us strong.

Chorus:

Crown of promise, thorns of grace,
Each piercing point, our sins erase.
King of suffering, Prince of peace,
In His torment, our release.

Outro:

So, let us bow before the throne, where grace and mercy meet,
And lay our crowns at His feet, so sweet.
For by His blood, we’re welcomed in, our lives made new,
Crown of promise, eternal, true.

Lead Sheet

Coming Soon

• Key: G Minor (capturing a sense of tragedy and depth)
• Time Signature: 3/4 (waltz-like, emphasizing the dramatic narrative)
• Tempo: 75 bpm (measured and poignant)

Storyboard descriptions for music video

This storyboard is crafted to provide a powerful visual journey through “Crown of Promise,” emphasizing the pain, mockery, and ultimate significance of the crown of thorns. The camera work and music are designed to draw viewers deeply into the narrative, evoking a strong emotional response and a deeper understanding of Christ’s sacrifice.

Scene 1: Inside the Praetorium

• Visuals: The video opens inside the dimly lit Praetorium. Roman soldiers are gathered, their faces a mix of curiosity and malice.
• Camera: Slow, steady pan across the room, capturing the ominous atmosphere and the soldiers’ faces.
• Music: The intro of “Crown of Promise” begins softly, setting a tense and anticipatory tone.

Scene 2: Crafting the Crown

• Visuals: A soldier is seen twisting thorny branches into a crude crown. His hands are detailed, rough, and callous.
• Camera: Close-up on the hands forming the crown, then zooms out to show the soldier’s smirk.
• Music: The music grows slightly darker, mirroring the malicious intent behind the crown’s creation.

Scene 3: Jesus Brought Forth

• Visuals: Jesus is brought into the center of the room, His face serene yet sorrowful.
• Camera: Follows Jesus from behind, then circles around to capture His face and the reactions of the soldiers.
• Music: The verse starts, the melody reflecting the solemnity of the moment.

Scene 4: The Crowning

• Visuals: A soldier roughly places the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. Jesus winces as the thorns pierce His skin, blood beginning to trickle down.
• Camera: Close-up on Jesus’ face as the crown is placed, then cuts to the thorns digging into His skin, highlighting the pain.
• Music: The rhythm of the song matches the pressing of the crown, emphasizing the brutality and Jesus’ suffering.

Scene 5: Mocking the King

• Visuals: Soldiers mock Jesus, bowing and pretending to pay homage. Jesus remains silent, His eyes conveying deep sadness and forgiveness.
• Camera: Alternates between the mocking soldiers and close-ups of Jesus’ face, capturing the contrast between their scorn and His dignity.
• Music: The melody becomes more plaintive, reflecting the mockery and Jesus’ quiet endurance.

Scene 6: Reflection of Sin

• Visuals: As the soldiers continue their mockery, the video transitions to brief flashes of modern-day scenarios of sin and suffering — greed, violence, despair.
• Camera: Quick cuts between the past and present, showing the timeless nature of human sin and the reason for Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Music: The song’s intensity reflects the chaotic and emotional nature of sin and its consequences.

Scene 7: Jesus Alone with His Crown

• Visuals: The room clears, leaving Jesus alone, crowned with thorns. He lifts His head, a single tear mixed with blood trails down His cheek.
• Camera: Slowly circles Jesus, capturing His solitary figure and the weight of the crown He bears.
• Music: The song reaches a moment of quiet intensity, highlighting the isolation and the weight of the moment.

Scene 8: Glimpse of the Future

• Visuals: A brief glimpse of the future — people from all walks of life, different eras, coming to understand and accept the sacrifice made for them.
• Camera: Quick cuts of faces filled with realization and tears, then back to Jesus who seems to acknowledge their future understanding.
• Music: The music swells with a sense of hope and promise.

Scene 9: Jesus Looking Upward

• Visuals: Jesus looks upwards, His face a mixture of pain and resolve. The light from above grows brighter, hinting at the heavenly kingdom He represents.
• Camera: Close-up on Jesus’ face, then slowly tilts up to the light, transitioning from the pain to the promise of His kingship.
• Music: Concludes with a poignant and reflective melody, leaving a sense of hope and reverence.

Scene 10: The Crown Close-Up

• Visuals: The final shot is a close-up of the crown of thorns, now resting on the ground, a symbol of the sacrifice made and the promises fulfilled.
• Camera: Slow zoom on the crown, focusing on the thorns and the dried blood.
• Music: Ends on a single, lingering note, reflecting the lasting impact of the sacrifice.