Clothes - Pt 3

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7 ESV). We continue to look at the things we can learn about the character of our God through the clothing spoken of in the Scripture. Our reading today is very specific when Luke details that Jesus was wrapped in “swaddling cloths.” I remember when our oldest son was born and there was so much to learn about the care of a baby. Mary knew how to “swaddle” Kyle, but I simply didn’t have a clue. My first question was “why?” Why did he need to be wrapped up so much? It seemed to me that it was uncomfortable at the least. Later I would learn how comforting it was as it simulated the environment of the womb. On the first Christmas, the Son of God was born in a high-risk situation; there was no hospital, no doctors, no mid-wife, or help other than Joseph. The king of the universe was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and laid in a feeding trough. What an undignified entrance! Some might wonder, “Why didn’t God dress his son in a royal baby robe? That would make a more powerful fashion statement.” Yet God does make a powerful statement by choosing swaddling cloths. They were standard for the time. They showed that Jesus would live like any other ordinary human, without the advantages of a royal upbringing. Jesus grew up in a low-income family as a carpenter’s son in a small town. In fact, he was spared no sorrow and was even called “the Man of Sorrows.” It is indicative of the great love God has for us. That he would be submissive to such a humbling existence speaks of that love. Swaddling cloths were a powerful statement in one other way. Jesus was wrapped in strips of cloths not only at his birth but also at his death (cf. John 19:40). The swaddling cloths are a reminder that although wise men visited and angels sang on Christmas, Jesus’ victory over death would require him one day to wear grave clothes. Isn’t it interesting that not only was Jesus born like any other human, he also died like any other human. It was a real death. It was even more painful and gruesome than any other of the time. That the depth of the sacrifice God made for his children. Notice also that he did not wear those cloths after the resurrection. All semblance of the devastation of sin on humanity was removed by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Now that’s an incredible wardrobe change! He did that for us!