Tuesday, March 7, 2017
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.”
IT HAPPENED ON GOOD FRIDAY: SOLDIERS PLAYED
"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." That's the description Jesus once gave of Himself during His life on earth. He had no home to live in, no place to "hang His hat." He depended on others to supply Him a place of shelter, a roof over His head. All He owned was His clothes.
On Good Friday He lost them too. The soldiers responsible for carrying out the crucifixion helped themselves to Jesus' garments and divided them up between them. One article of clothing, His tunic, they bartered off in a gambling game. They did this in full view of Jesus, below the cross, so He could be a front seat spectator at their fun and games.
Little did they know the truth of what was going on! He, their heavenly King, was laying down His life to atone for the sins of the world (theirs too), the Innocent for the guilty. As they amused themselves with their gambling game, hooting and guffawing, making light of His suffering, He was showing how much He loved them by purchasing a robe of holiness to cover their sin and shame. Did they come to understand later who Jesus was and the love He had for them, and put their trust in Him? It seems that at least one did (the centurion), hopefully more.
How blessed we are to have a Savior willing to make Himself nothing for us, who let His enemies take everything away from Him, even His clothes, so that we might be dressed in a robe of holiness through faith in His blood.
Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly,-- Wash me, Savior, or I die!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 376:2)
