Apart from the cross itself, there can be no more poignant a symbol of the horrendous sufferings of Christ than the awful crown of thorns that He wore. The hymn writer wrote, "See from His head, His hands, His feet; sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e'er such love and sorrow meet; Or thorns compose so rich a crown?" It was an instrument of pain, mockery and reproach that came from the hearts of wicked men. But it was also an emblem of Christ's ultimate purpose to put away the curse once and for all.