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Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

A crown can open doors. If you wear the right crown, guards step aside. Palace doors swing open. You are welcomed into rooms where ordinary people cannot go. A royal crown gives access, honor, and privilege. But every earthly crown fades. It can be stolen, tarnished, or passed to someone else.

The apostle Paul looked forward to a better crown. Near the end of his life, he wrote about “the crown of righteousness” waiting for him. This was not a crown Paul had earned by being good enough. It was not the reward for a life without failure or sin. It was a crown given by “the Lord, the righteous Judge.”

That Judge is Jesus. And before Jesus gave his people a crown of righteousness, he first wore a crown of thorns.

He wore that painful crown as he suffered for our sins. He stood in our place. He carried our guilt. He gave his perfect life for our imperfect lives. Then he rose from the dead, proving that sin has been paid for and heaven has been opened.

So, do not be afraid of the sins from your past. Jesus has forgiven them. You do not need to work harder or do more to earn a place in heaven. Jesus has already won it for you.

The crown Jesus gives is better than any royal crown. It gives access not just to a palace, but to the throne room of heaven. It is the gift of righteousness, Jesus’ righteousness, placed on you by grace.

So, we long for his appearing. We look forward to the day Jesus comes again, not with fear, but with confidence and joy. The righteous Judge is also your Savior. And he has a crown waiting for you.

Lord Jesus, thank you for wearing a crown of thorns to win for me the crown of righteousness. Take away my fear, forgive my sins, and help me long for the day when you bring me into the joy of heaven. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.