‘His robe…was seamless, woven in one piece from [the] top.’ John 19:23 NLT
The Bible doesn’t say much about what Jesus wore—with one notable exception. John tells us that at Calvary ‘They… took His robe… it was seamless, woven in one piece from [the] top.’ (John 19:23 NLT) It was traditional for Jewish mothers to make these garments as gifts for their sons who were leaving home. So while we don’t know if Mary actually made Jesus’ robe, it was most likely a treasured possession. It’s also significant because throughout the Bible clothes symbolise behaviour and character. Peter writes about being ‘clothed with humility’ (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV); Paul says, ‘Put on [Christlikeness] like… new clothes’ (Galatians 3:27 NLT); and David tells us that evil people are clothed ‘with cursing.’ (Psalm 109:18 NKJV)
Like His robe, Jesus’ character was seamless, integrated and perfect. The words ‘woven from [the] top down’ indicate that He was always directed by the mind of God. In fact He said, ‘The Son can do nothing… only what He sees the Father doing.’ (John 5:19 NRS) But when Jesus was crucified He set aside His seamless robe, ‘changed places with us’ (Galatians 3:13 NCV), and put on robes of sin that had our names on them. He died like a common criminal for sins He didn’t commit so that we could wear the garments of His righteousness. So that sinners like us, coming to the cross, could leave wearing the ‘coat of His… love’ (Isaiah 59:17 NCV), the belt of ‘goodness and fairness’ (Isaiah 11:5 NCV), and the ‘garments of salvation.’ (Isaiah 61:10 NIV)
Think: not only did Jesus prepare a place in Heaven for us, He made sure we’d be properly dressed for the occasion.
SoulFood: 2 Cor 11:21–33, 2 Cor 12:7–10, Acts 16:16–40, Acts 19:11–12
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©