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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“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.” (John 19.23-24; emphasis mine, jb).
They Took His Garments (1/4)
On one occasion a certain scribe expressed a great interest in Jesus. In fact his interest was such that he was moved to say, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” (Matthew 8.19). While his intentions may have been honorable, he apparently had not thought of the tremendous personal sacrifice that would be required. Jesus responded, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matthew 8.20). The statement of Jesus was a hyperbole intended to convey the fact that He did not have a regular source of income like the scribe and that His earthly belongings were meager,. However, this writer finds it ironic that at the end of His life, even the meager possessions that He did have were taken by force from Him in order to feed the greed of those who crucified Him!
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uttered the following statements: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5.38-42). Again it is ironic that the Greek words that Jesus used (translated cloak and tunic from the Sermon in the Mount) were the same words that were later used by John to describe the possessions that the soldiers forcefully took from Him (translated garments and tunic in John 19). As we might say it in modern English, Jesus was the kind of Man that would have given you the shirt off His back. Yet, at the end of His earthly life, armed soldiers forcefully stripped Him of His clothing and made them their own!
Respect is a trait which was totally lacking in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Respect for His teachings was non-existent. Respect for His personal dignity was mocked in the manner of His death and by the public spectacle that was made of Him. Respect was absent for His authority as it was merely another matter in which His enemies could mock Him; the purple robe and the crown of thorns are adequate evidence of the disdain that they had for the truth. Respect for justice was the last thing in the minds of the power-hungry politicians who bartered for His life as well as the puppets-called-rulers who made the decisions that led to His condemnation. Respect for the Law was totally foreign to the trial proceedings that resulted in the verdict to crucify Him and this in spite of the fact that the Law was the basis upon which His opponents made their plea to kill the blasphemer! Respect for His family and friends was missing as He was suspended in shame outside Jerusalem's walls during the apex of their religious festivities! Common decency would have mitigated against such treatment even if He had been guilty as charged!
“They took His garments.” Forever and ever this phrase will stand as an indictment against all who lack civility! You can dress it up and call it what you will, but disobedience to duly ordained Law is merely a lack of respect for God and all that is holy! Don't be guilty of taking His garments. Respect!
Questions:
1. What was the scribe missing who said He would follow Jesus anywhere?
2. What did Jesus mean when He said He did not have a place to lay His head?
3. How did Jesus feel toward those who crucified Him? If He was willing to have His Father forgive them, do you think He would have “given them the shirt off His back”?
4. What does respect have to do with civility and common decency? When these are absent, what results can be expected?
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