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“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.’” (John 19.23-24; emphasis mine, jb).

The Seamless Tunic (3/4)

Jesus was stripped of His clothing and publicly humiliated in a way that was absolutely beyond comprehension! We can only imagine what went through the minds of those who passed by, but there is no doubt about the fact that Jesus was deprived of the most basic right, the right of dignity among one's peers; it was stolen away just as surely as His tunic was stolen! On more than one occasion, Jesus counseled others to procure for themselves clothing of a celestial sort due to their nakedness or inadequacy; we will look at two of these occurrences.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”'” (Revelation 3.1-5; emphasis mine, jb).

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ ——and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.'”'” (Revelation 3.14-19; emphasis mine, jb) _.

A few members of the Sardis congregation were commended for having undefiled garments, but the vast majority were dressed in the garb of the world. Those who remained faithful were given a Divine promise of a wardrobe which money cannot buy; it was to be relatively plain, namely, white garments. Apparently every member at Laodicea was deluded into thinking that his wardrobe was topnotch. However in reality Jesus said they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked!” What a contrast! They thought they were dressed in the absolute finery; He thought the exact opposite.

When all is said and done; it matters not what we think of our own spiritual garb, nor what others think. The only opinion that really matters is that of our Lord. Our own garments are but filthy rags compared to the white garments He provides for His own! Wear the best!

Questions:

1. Matthew records that “those who passed by [the Cross] blasphemed Him, wagging their heads.” What does this expression mean?

2. What did Jesus mean when He said that some in Sardis had not defiled their garments?

3. What was wrong with the vision of the members in Laodicea? How could they remedy their eyesight?

4. Whose opinion matters when it comes to how we appear spiritually? Can we trust the world to give us an accurate assessment?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One