Jesus' Clothes

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. John 19: 23a.  

Here, we begin to see in the clear light of Trinity, as these four Roman soldiers, took from Jesus the only thing that was openly and actually before them, which belonged to Him personally, the garments of Jesus. The question arises as to why they did not take the garments of the other crucified people. Why is it that these soldiers only went for the garments of a poor Jewish Rabbi? In the ways and eyes of the world, Jesus was poor, meaning that He showed nothing of great riches.

For example, He was a Teacher with disciples, just as the Pharisees were teachers and had disciples. By contrast however, Jesus was not flamboyant and elaborately attired as they were. What I mean is this. One would understand wanting the richly ornamented and beautifully adorned, rich garments of such men of God, but the garments of one who did not even have a place to lay His Head, nor a cup to get water out of the well at Sychar, to quench His thirst, surely had no garments worth much. Nevertheless, they chose to be singular in taking Jesus’ garments, as is reliably recorded by John.

Surely there will be many reasons for their actions, but this one will suffice. These soldiers who are used to crucifying people, certainly would never have had such a publicly volatile, explosive and intriguing case. They perhaps did not know Jesus, but when they saw the dynamics being played out and how foul, messy, deceitful and utterly disingenuous was the power-game being played by Pilate and the Jewish hierarchy, they took stock. That had to be history in the making. There they were, ordinary soldiers doing their ordinary work, and they were caught up in the middle of those powers. They were but small men in it all, but they would be named in it, thus they wanted spoils, trophies, something concrete and actual to show their working presence in that historic drama.

It’s like what you see of hunters long ago who have gone to far off lands, and killed animals, bringing back parts of those animals as trophies, to be hung proudly in their homes. Indeed, I believe that those clothes of Jesus were taken as spoils, trophies of the only infamous or famous case of, Son of God and servants of God.

In this celebrated week of Trinity, what clothes are you holding of Jesus, that you can show in your home? If your body is the home, the temple of the Holy Spirit, what garments are you holding high, through the mighty, miraculous works wrought by the Holy Spirit in you? Remember, the soldiers were not believers. They were not even Jews, to be Jewish brothers with Jesus according to race or rite. Yet, go to their homes and see pieces of garments of Jesus, not hidden, but proudly displayed. Come to our houses, we who claim brotherhood with Jesus, though God the Father, and what garments are we wearing?

Right here, these soldiers remind us of the staggering truth of Trinity. If we, as sinners saved by the grace of the Son, through the Love of the Father, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are not the living embodiment of the Trinity, then we are above all people most deceived and lost.

If non-believes can show even the shadow of truth, much more must you and I, who are believers, show the substance of truth.

Holy Spirit, You have enabled us to know the Father, through Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord and Redeemer. Please guide and control our lives that the true Light and Trinity will be evidenced in our daily living. Amen!