John 19:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.
The world is a dark place because too many people do not feel they are worthy of God’s grace and mercy. They go around trying to always do better and give 110% hoping to make up for the nagging empty part inside where worthiness should dwell. People work many hours extra to make a name for themselves. Yet nothing seems to fill the void!
John gives us an account of the crucifixion of Christ. The soldiers divided up Jesus garments among themselves as spoils. John describes the tunic “was without seams” which was unusual. It was a special garment. Since it was mentioned particularly in this account, there must have been much significance attached to it. The soldiers cast lots to see who would get the garment. I believe the lot fell to us instead. We are the big winners.
I believe that tunic was the Garment of Righteousness. The soldiers removed this garment from Jesus at the cross. There is no doubt that Jesus was righteous. As the Son of God, He was perfect. When He was placed on the cross and all the sin of the world was absorbed by Him, His righteousness was separated from Him as the garment was removed. I believe it was given to you and me through that garment. So you are right! No, you don’t measure up on your own. But you are not on your onw. You are holy, righteous and redeemed because Christ’s righteousness, symbolized by that tunic, has been given to you.
Now this is something too big for us to fully or even partially understand. How can we be perfect in God’s sight and righteous before Him? It is a mystery. I certainly don’t feel perfect. I am far from that. But we are covered in this garment of righteousness and God sees us through the eyes and filter of Christ. On our own merit, we cannot stand. But on Christ, the solid Rock, we can all stand. The anniversary of the birth of the One who came to perfect us all by His blood is rapidly approaching. Let us be joyful and accept the gift we were and are given. May Christ reside in our hearts and our heads richly this Christmas Season. In His name we pray! Amen!