Making Our Way to Calvary - Pt 7

 

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:23–25 ESV).

 

Today as we continue the journey of making our way to the cross, I have come to this portion of the Gospel of John. It is a poignant look at the crass cruelty of Jesus’ execution. The soldiers assigned the task of performing the execution efficiently did their job. They had evidently done it many times before and approached the gruesome task with little or no attention given to either the victim of the bystanders. In fact, they see the clothes that were no doubt taken off Jesus before the scourging and began to divide them among themselves as “spoils” of their duty. The pain and horror must have been unbearable as Mary, her sister, and Mary Magdalene stood by powerless to intervene.

 

I hope you notice the significance of not tearing Jesus’ robe. Arthur Pink, one of the great preachers and writers of the 19^th Century wrote the following:

 

“The deeper significance of this is not difficult to perceive. Garments in Scripture, speak of conduct, as a display of character (cf. Psalms 109:18; 1 Peter 5:5). Now, the Savior’s "coat," His outer garment, was of one piece intimating the unity, the unbroken perfection of His ways. Unlike our "garments," which are, at best, so much patchwork, His robe was "without seam." Moreover, it was "woven from the top throughout" the mind of Him above controlled His every action! This "coat" or "robe" was a costly one, so owned even by the soldiers, for they declined to tear it to pieces. It spoke of the righteousness of Christ, the "robe of righteousness" (cf. Isaiah 61:10 ), the "best robe" (cf. Luke 15) with which the Father clothes each prodigal son. For this "robe" the soldiers cast lots, and we are told in Proverbs 16:33 that "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Thus the action of these soldiers declares that the "best robe" is not left to the caprice of man’s will, but the Lord Himself has determined whose it shall be! Note another contrast; the sinful first Adam was clothed by God; the sinless last Adam was unclothed by wicked men.” – Arthur Pink

 

Humanity has been trying make for themselves “the best robes” since the sin of Adam and Eve. The only clothing that will do is the righteousness of Jesus! And, we do not “cast lots” for that privilege; it is freely given to all those who are the called according to the grace and mercy of God. Turn your thoughts with gratitude for being the child of God and having the best of robes to wear into eternity!