Jesus' Garment

Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

Having noted that the soldiers took all Jesus’ garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic, I simply thought that they just divided Jesus' clothes into four equal shares. In other words, if Jesus wore four garments, each soldier would get a piece each. If Jesus wore eight garments, each soldier would have two garments each. Now, with clearer vision, I realise that what I was thinking was not the case.

What am I saying? What am I hearing? What reality are believers like me, people with erroneous ideas and therefore wrong beliefs being revealed? How can we ever hope to stop bowing before our Lord God and giving unending praise for the Gift of His Holy Spirit, who reveals all truth to us? Not only that, but Holy Spirit Teacher brings the light of revealed truth to us in the most obscure, I tell you. He has exposed, the doctrine of the Trinity in the simplest of ways, ways which even a child can comprehend. Let’s go through some matter-of-fact human reasoning, which is being used to bring deep Triune truths.

The soldiers had to make those four parts, by literally dividing or tearing the clothes of Jesus. It is not uncommon, even in our day, for spoils to be divided among the deserving parties. It is not unusual for people to speak of having a piece of a person’s clothing, or writings, or something of that person. You take the piece, or pieces, as a souvenir, not for actual use. Remember, those soldiers were not Jewish, so why would they want Jesus' dress, especially when it was un-ornate and un-flamboyant? All they needed was a piece. They found all Jesus’ garments easy to tear to pieces, except one, which they did not rip up in four parts.

What do we know of Jesus’ garments? Enough for us to have a pretty accurate picture of what clothes were in the hands of the soldiers. Have a look at Jesus at His final Passover meal, in the flesh, with His disciples. So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. John 13: 4 NIV. Later, we are told this. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. John 13: 12a. Yes, Jesus wore outer garments or clothing, and an inner garment and undergarments. When Jesus stripped Himself of His clothing to wash the feet of the disciples, He did not strip naked, neither was He just in a loin cloth. He still had on His inner tunic. Faith allows us to see those garments in the hands of the four soldiers who have just nailed Him to a cross. We can be assured that Jesus did not take off four sets of clothing, to gird Himself with a towel. Are you following closely here? Aren’t new thoughts being opened up to you?

Let’s move in even deeper, to more convincing proof about the garments which Jesus wore.  Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter and a massive crowd was following Him. A woman with severely critical health issues was in the crowd and came from behind and touched the border of His garment. Luke 8: 44a. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that she came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. Matthew 9: 20b. Isn’t it clear that the border or hem is of the longer garment that He is wearing and not His outer garments? Remember, she does not want to be seen, and the huge crowd is her perfect covering, as she stoops or bends down to the ground and touches the hem of Jesus’ clothing. That garment of Jesus is also in the hands of the four soldiers.

We are sure now that the woman touched the seamless garment of Jesus, the same power garment, which, when touched, made Jesus exclaim and ask, Who touched Me? Even when His disciples tried to reason with Him that He was being touched a lot because of the great multitude, Jesus insisted that, Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me. Luke 8: 46b. The point being sealed in us is that in the hands of the soldiers is that exact seamless, power garment of Jesus.

We conclude tomorrow with the seamless garment of Jesus, in the hands of four soldiers who have just crucified Him.  

Jesus, Son of the Father, You who have forgiven us of our evils towards You, continue to sanctify us through Your Holy Spirit that the Father may be Glorified. Amen!