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The Garments of Jesus is an interesting and intriguing study. Our focus began at the Cross when They Took His Garments. From that springboard, we looked at some other events in the life of Jesus that had to do with His garments. This, the final installment regarding His garments will begin with a view of His garments as stated in the Old Testament.

They Took His Garments (4/4)

Psalm 45 speaks of Messiah and His garments. It is a prophecy concerning His future position. I know it speaks of Messiah because the inspired writer in Hebrews 1.8 applies this passage to Jesus (inspired writers do not make mistakes). Hear what the Psalmist said: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.” (Psalm 45.6-8; emphasis mine, jb).

If you are a church-goer, you might recognize that the words emphasized just above are the words which impressed Henry Barraclough in 1915 to write the beautiful hymn, Out of the Ivory Palaces. In fact these words contain the title of the song as well as many of the specific words and phrases contained in the song. The song is beautiful and it emphasizes a heavenly virtue which is often overlooked. Jesus is BEAUTIFUL in every imaginable way. The Father made Him so and honored Him in ways that others could only dream. His garments, according to the hymn, are “so wondrous fine,” and it is predicted that “...in garments glorious He will come [the second time].

When John was on the Isle of Patmos, he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. In that state, it is recorded that John saw “...seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” (Revelation 1.12-13. Here, the spotless and sinless Son of God is depicted as having been changed from a human being to a Divine Being having the most glorious attributes imaginable. So exalted is He that the book of Revelation is filled with imagery intended to convey the fact that He has no equal!

However, not only does the Lord wear such finery, He counsels others to wear similar apparel. Note these three verses: “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... 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.” (Revelation 3.4,5 and Revelation 3.18).

We close with one final verse and some thoughts. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16.15). Although Messiah has wondrous garments, and although He “sells” them to those who have need (as we all do), yet He counsels us to “keep” our garments. In contrast, the soldiers took His garments but we are to keep ours. The alternative for us is to be found naked and ashamed due to the absence of His garments. It is comforting indeed that we can be clothed in His righteousness and not our own!

Questions:

1. How can we know that the 45th Psalm speaks of Jesus?

2. In what will those who “overcome” be dressed (see Revelation 3.5)?

3. What does Jesus counsel some to buy from Him (see Revelation 3.18)?

4. What does it mean to “keep our garments”? (Revelation 16.15)?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Watching Your Dollars Fly Away