Crowning Wisdom: Napoleon's Coronation

France, like England, abolished its monarchy, and re-established it. I have at my home a small model of the crown of Napoleon Bonaparte, which was commissioned for his imperial coronation in 1804. It had to be a new crown to demonstrate he was not continuing the old Bourbon regime, neither was he imperator by mere inheritance. Charles III will receive the crown from the Archbishop of Canterbury to symbolise the providence of God that made him king; Napoleon put the crown on his own head. Some say that he snatched it from the Pope’s hand, others that the Pope knew in advance his intention, which was to demonstrate the meritocracy of his elevation.

We Christians may wear crowns in heaven, or the Biblical references to them may be symbolic. Whichever it is, there is no mistaking that any reward, honour or glory we receive or share will be entirely given for Christ’s sake, not ours. On His merits alone are we received into the Kingdom, by His grace alone are we saved, adopted and glorified.

…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:4, NKJV