And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (Matthew 27:29 KJV)
Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) in thorns ©WikiC
The idea for using a bird in thorns came from Living In The Thorns
*
*
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) by Daves BirdingPix
The Rock Ptarmigan – The Crown ~ by a j mithra
The Rock Ptarmigan is seasonally camouflaged; its feathers moult from white in winter to brown in spring or summer. The breeding male has greyish upper parts with white wings and under parts. In winter, its plumage becomes completely white except for the black tail. It can be distinguished from the winter Willow Ptarmigan (Willow Ptarmigan in North America) by habitat—the Rock Ptarmigan prefers higher elevations and more barren habitat; it is also smaller with a more delicate bill.
Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) ©USFWS
A bird that is smaller and with more delicate bill prefers higher elevation…
Interesting isn’t it?
It is when we become smaller, subdued and humble that God takes us to higher elevation.
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2)
The higher elevation maybe more barren and it may have delicate bills but still this bird prefers higher elevation…
Most of us judge ourselves by what we have, failing to understand that in our weakness
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
His strength is complete and that is the reason He chooses the weak.
So that His name shall be glorified
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27)
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus Muta) in winter plumage ©WikiC
The small population living on Franz Josef Land in the Russian High Arctic, overwinter during the polar night, and survives by feeding on rich vegetation on and underneath high cliffs where seabird colonies are located in summer. The Rock Ptarmigan feeds primarily on birch and willow buds and catkins when available. It will also eat various seeds, leaves, flowers and berries of other plant species. Insects are eaten by the developing young.
Apart from the comb, the male Rock Ptarmigan has no ornaments or displays that are typical for grouses in temperate regions. Studies on other grouses have shown that much variation in comb size and colour exists
between the species, and that the comb is used in courtship display and aggressive interactions between males.
This reminds us of how the colorful garment of Jesus was stripped, torn into twelve pieces and shared among the soldiers right under the cross, even as the Rock was grieving in pain for our sins..
Jesus did not have any ornaments or displays on the cross except the crown of thorns.
He bore not the crown of thorns but bore the brunt of mockery to give us the crown of eternal life isn’t it?
And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29)
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus Muta) ©Wiki
Many studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between the comb size and the level of testosterone in males; one report from 1981 showed that the amount of testosterone is correlated to aggressiveness against other males. The male’s comb has been the focus of studies regarding sexual selection. Studies of a population of male Rock Ptarmigans in Scarpa Lake, Nunavut, have shown that during the first year, mating success among males was influenced by comb size and condition, and bigamous males had larger combs than monogamous males. The correlation to size disappeared after the first year, but the correlation to comb
condition remained.
This is consistent with another study of the same population of L. muta that showed that mating success overall is correlated to comb condition. Exceptions were first-time breeders, in which the size of the comb influenced mating success. The mating success is correlated to comb condition..
There is a strong correlation between the life we live for Christ and the crown that God has kept for us.
What kind of a crown would God give us?
Here are a those five crowns that God had kept for us..
God has got an “IMPERISHABLE CROWN” for those who run a faithful, unselfish race, crucifying all their earthly desires and focusing on just the cross.
Did Jesus asked us to carry our cross for this?
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
“THE CROWN OF JOY” is there for those who bring souls into His kingdom. Working towards standing as a living testimony for others to follow Christ through our selfless Christ-like lifestyle…
Are we working selflessly to bring souls to His kingdom?
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
Here is another crown that awaits us, that is the “THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”
Are you waiting anxiously for the Lord? In that case you will surely receive this crown, when Jesus, the King returns.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus Muta) ©WikiC mother and chick
There is another crown for us, “THE CROWN OF LIFE”.
It is for those who endure temptations, trials, pain and agony for the sake of the Lord.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)
This crown, “THR CROWN OF GLORY” has a long price tag.
Pay and receive. Here is the bill..
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Now, it’s time for us to switch on our search lights to see what kind of crown do we deserve..
Have a blessed day!
Yours in YESHUA,
a j mithra
Please visit us at:
CrossTree
Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian
Thorns are mentioned many times throughout the Bible and in the Gospels it is presented in several applications:
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:44-45 KJV)
Again thorns were mentioned in a parable in reference to the receiving of the Word of God:
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:7-8 KJV)
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (Luk 8:14 KJV)
The next references to thorns has to do with the “crown of thorns” they plaited or twisted together of thorny branches. If you think they just placed that crown of those thorns gently on His head, you are mistaken. With as much mockery and hatred they were showing to Christ, they would have crammed that crown on his head, thus, driving those spiked thorns as deep as they could.
And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:17-20 KJV)
Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
(John 19:4-5 KJV)
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) by Michael Woodruff
Today it is obvious that “thorns” are the theme of this blog. The last two days, the “Palm” Birds and the “Whip” Birds were written about and shown. When you see the “Thorn” Birds, maybe the “crown of thorns” will come to mind and you will praise the Lord for His death on the cross which paid for our salvation.
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:26-28 KJV)
There are three families that have birds with Thorn in their name. the Hummingbird family has either Thornbills or Thorntails. The Ovenbird family has actual Thornbirds and one Thorn-tailed Rayadito. One whole Genus of birds in the Australian Warbler family are called Thornbills. As you look at the bills of most of these birds observe how the shape resembles thorns. Their Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, not only designed their bill to assist in their eating and habitat, He knew that one day that “thorns” would be driven into His head.
Birds with “Thorn” in their name:
Hummingbird – Trochilidae Family
Black-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron dorsale)
Black-bellied Thorntail (Discosura langsdorffi)
Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi) – Video by Keith Blomerley
Bronze-tailed Thornbill (Chalcostigma heteropogon)
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) by Michael Woodruff
Letitia’s Thorntail (Discosura letitiae)
Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum)
Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) – Video
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps)
Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii) – Video by Keith Blomerley
Plain Thornbird (Phacellodomus inornatus) ©©
Chestnut-backed Thornbird (Phacellodomus dorsalis)
Freckle-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticollis)
Greater Thornbird (Phacellodomus ruber)
Little Thornbird (Phacellodomus sibilatrix)
Orange-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus ferrugineigula)
Orange-eyed Thornbird (Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus)
Plain Thornbird (Phacellodomus inornatus) ©©
Rufous-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus rufifrons)
Spot-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus maculipectus)
Streak-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticeps)
Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda)
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) by Ian
Acanthizidae – Australasian Warblers
Acanthiza Genus
Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis)
Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)
Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides)
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) by Ian
Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian
New Guinea Thornbill (Acanthiza murina)
Slaty-backed Thornbill (Acanthiza robustirostris)
Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei)
Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata)
Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii)
Western Thornbill (Acanthiza inornata)
Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana) by Ian
Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
See also:
*
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
