Crowning Wisdom: Bavaria

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Mon, 05/06/2023 - 00:00

The crown of Bavaria was constructed around 1806 for Maximilian, whom Napoleon raised from Duke to a King. As Bavaria was now a kingdom rather than a duchy, a regalia was deemed necessary, to which this crown belongs. Unusually, it was never worn, instead sitting on a cushion next to the King. Modern European monarchies, our own excepted, do not wear crowns nor enjoy, much to my disappointment, coronations. Crowns are meant to be worn; they are designed to fit onto a human head. That said, they cannot be terribly comfortable. Hats of metal and stone do not bespeak ease and relaxation. Those who wear crowns have responsibilities. Five times the Bible speaks of the believer having a crown. Whether this be literal or figurative, I know not, but we have as much responsibility as any continental king:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

The Christian is not to loaf about enjoying his exalted status as a child of God, but to bear the weight of the responsibility to which he has been called. Our lives are to be sacrificial, holy and serviceable. Is yours, or does your crown sit atop a convenient velvet cushion?