Saturday, March 3, 2007
John 19:23-24 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. 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.
PICTURES FROM THE PASSION -- DIVIDING HIS GARMENTS
For the Roman soldiers, it may have been just another day on the job. As soon as they had secured Jesus and the two criminals on their crosses, they quickly turned their attention away from these men and to a fringe benefit of their occupation. They were now able to claim the garments of the men who would soon be dead.
It seems they were not above tearing a single garment into pieces so that each could have a piece of material. On this occasion, they found one of Jesus' garments to be too nice to tear. It was a seamless tunic. They cast lots to see who would come away with it.
Here is another striking scene from the passion of our Lord. We see Jesus hanging on the cross, suffering and accomplishing the most important work that this world has ever known. Probably only a few feet away, we see the Roman soldiers, oblivious to this fact. Instead, they were busying themselves with a matter of little importance.
These soldiers were going after the wrong garment. This earthly tunic wouldn't enhance their lives in any meaningful way. However, on the cross Jesus was providing all people with forgiveness of sins. Jesus' shed blood is what allows us to wear white robes of righteousness before God, assuring us of our salvation. This is the garment to have!
Later in the Passion account, we hear that a soldier was moved to say, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" As we meditate on the Passion of Jesus, let us be reminded that He is God's Son who has accomplished our salvation. Let us be thankful that we have received a garment from Him. Not a seamless tunic from this world, but a white robe of righteousness that brings us to the next world.
