My old perfectionistic thinking competes at times with the amazing fact that we are forgiven, gloriously clothed with what I like to think of as a 'robe of innocence' ie the innocence and righteousness of Christ.
We remember the miracle of the un-torn tunic of Jesus at the foot of the cross, and the in the context of the glory of his resurrection, realize the fullness of the gift and lesson that may be woven in symbol in that tunic.
#286 His Seamless Garment
Jesus outer garments were divided into four parts, each part given to one soldier. But the tunic was seamless and woven in one piece. They decided not to tear it, but to cast lots for it, to decide whose it should be. John 19:23-24
A seamless robe is out of place in a crucifixion scene. Normally at a death, robes were torn as a sign of grief. This robe is purposely not torn. But here it is - the perfect, seamless robe of Christ lying at the foot of the cross….it was likely a gift because Jesus was no weaver, and he had no money to purchase such a garment. Marshall Davis
This robe was a gift of love worn by the Lord of Love in his seamless perfection. This gift of love was treated with mercenary contempt. We also are given a garment or robe, a robe of righteousness, (Isaiah 61:10; Romans 5:1-2) possible through the cross and the resurrection. May we treat this perfect gift of His love with respect, honoring the one who wears it, as he gives it to us to wear. We cannot earn or buy this robe, that would be as ignorant as the Roman soldiers. Maybe sometimes we are like the Roman soldiers, bartering for this valuable robe that we don’t really understand, thinking that somehow we can earn or be lucky enough to own it. In reality this robe IS a GIFT of love, lavished upon us. This robe is a result of the skill and craftsmanship of God, knit together in love.
Here is a very short story to illustrate in a general way the power of our justification and our resulting relationship with God and Christ.
She fingered the seamless garment with great respect. It was a gift of love given by the King, to her, a simple peasant. To don this garment was to accept the life saving proclamation and the marriage invitation of the King’s Son. To truly make this garment her own was to turn her back on her old life of the street and all she was familiar with. She slowly removed her dirty clothing, noticing once again the scars on her body, the wounds she carried with her that still caused her pain.
(Justification Romans 8:1)
She put on the seamless garment. What she saw in the mirror surprised her. Once the garment was put on, it shown forth a radiant glow that made her beautiful. Her face was radiant.
She no longer looked like a poor peasant woman. She looked like the daughter of the King.
(Spirit begettal 1 Peter 1:3) The seamless garment gave her a new beginning. She now had the privilege of spending time in the presence of the King, seeking his wisdom, in awe of his benevolence. She now had the privilege of getting to know the King’s Son.
(Sanctification John 17:17) In time, she began to think like a daughter of King. It changed how she saw herself. Her love for the King’s Son grew stronger and stronger every day. The seamless garment and the access to these new relationships changed how she saw others. It changed her bearing, her thinking and her behavior in every facet of life.
We have the great privilege of wearing the righteousness of Christ, of being gloriously clothed with this robe innocence.
Wear it, knowing it is an honor to be identified with the seamless perfection of Christ.
Wear it, in honor of the Savior whose love proved its seamless perfection.
Wear it, in honor of the Father whose skill, workmanship and love wove each strand of experience to prove the seamless perfection and character of His Son. “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered. And having been made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:8 NASB
We remember the miracle of the un-torn tunic of Jesus at the foot of the cross, and the in the context of the glory of his resurrection, realize the fullness of the gift and lesson that may be woven in symbol in that tunic.
#286 His Seamless Garment
Jesus outer garments were divided into four parts, each part given to one soldier. But the tunic was seamless and woven in one piece. They decided not to tear it, but to cast lots for it, to decide whose it should be. John 19:23-24
A seamless robe is out of place in a crucifixion scene. Normally at a death, robes were torn as a sign of grief. This robe is purposely not torn. But here it is - the perfect, seamless robe of Christ lying at the foot of the cross….it was likely a gift because Jesus was no weaver, and he had no money to purchase such a garment. Marshall Davis
This robe was a gift of love worn by the Lord of Love in his seamless perfection. This gift of love was treated with mercenary contempt. We also are given a garment or robe, a robe of righteousness, (Isaiah 61:10; Romans 5:1-2) possible through the cross and the resurrection. May we treat this perfect gift of His love with respect, honoring the one who wears it, as he gives it to us to wear. We cannot earn or buy this robe, that would be as ignorant as the Roman soldiers. Maybe sometimes we are like the Roman soldiers, bartering for this valuable robe that we don’t really understand, thinking that somehow we can earn or be lucky enough to own it. In reality this robe IS a GIFT of love, lavished upon us. This robe is a result of the skill and craftsmanship of God, knit together in love.
Here is a very short story to illustrate in a general way the power of our justification and our resulting relationship with God and Christ.
She fingered the seamless garment with great respect. It was a gift of love given by the King, to her, a simple peasant. To don this garment was to accept the life saving proclamation and the marriage invitation of the King’s Son. To truly make this garment her own was to turn her back on her old life of the street and all she was familiar with. She slowly removed her dirty clothing, noticing once again the scars on her body, the wounds she carried with her that still caused her pain.
(Justification Romans 8:1)
She put on the seamless garment. What she saw in the mirror surprised her. Once the garment was put on, it shown forth a radiant glow that made her beautiful. Her face was radiant.
She no longer looked like a poor peasant woman. She looked like the daughter of the King.
(Spirit begettal 1 Peter 1:3) The seamless garment gave her a new beginning. She now had the privilege of spending time in the presence of the King, seeking his wisdom, in awe of his benevolence. She now had the privilege of getting to know the King’s Son.
(Sanctification John 17:17) In time, she began to think like a daughter of King. It changed how she saw herself. Her love for the King’s Son grew stronger and stronger every day. The seamless garment and the access to these new relationships changed how she saw others. It changed her bearing, her thinking and her behavior in every facet of life.
We have the great privilege of wearing the righteousness of Christ, of being gloriously clothed with this robe innocence.
Wear it, knowing it is an honor to be identified with the seamless perfection of Christ.
Wear it, in honor of the Savior whose love proved its seamless perfection.
Wear it, in honor of the Father whose skill, workmanship and love wove each strand of experience to prove the seamless perfection and character of His Son. “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered. And having been made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:8 NASB
