Jesus is stripped of his clothes
John 19:23-24 (RSV)
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven 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,“They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
Clothing protects. Clothing covers. Clothing hides flaws. Clothing keeps us warm. Clothing is comforting. All of this was taken away from Jesus. His protection was gone. All comfort was taken away. He was exposed. He was vulnerable. He had nothing to hide and nowhere to hide it.
It is so hard for me to let go of my comforts and my protections. I don’t want to be exposed. I don’t want my flaws to show. I want to stay safe. If I say too much, others may disagree. If I show too much, others might disapprove. I might rock the boat. I might get kicked out. I might be whispered about. So, I’d rather not. I’d rather keep the peace. But Jesus didn’t do this. He risked it all. He willingly exposed himself to humiliation and even violence. He didn’t have to. He could’ve kept his garment intact, but He didn’t.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:28-30, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
I am worrying about far too much. Too many little things. What people may think. What reactions I may get. What may happen next. But Jesus faced it all and so much worse. Am I following Him?
Jesus said in Matthew 5:40, “If any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well.”
Don’t hang on to your clothing. Don’t hang on to your reputation. Don’t hang on to your safeguards. Let it go. Risk vulnerability for something better, for relationship. Risk exposure for something greater, for love.
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