The Romans had refined the sadistic skill of execution, especially by scourging and then the cross. They would whip you with leather straps with ends of bits of glass and mangled metal that rip into the flesh, only 39 times, finding some would die too soon if they went to 40.

Isaiah 52:13-14 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you-- his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind--Isaiah 53:3-6 [ESV] He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

The thorns remind us of Adam’s rebellion in Eden and the curse it brought. Jesus took our curse and the wrath that we were due so we could take His place as the children of God. Will you call on Him as the ingrate prodigal foolish sons that we are?!