Sermon nuggets Thurs Dec 4
Theme- Crucifixion
Verses John 19:23-24 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
The Robe Points to Christ's Sacrificial Love
Wm Barclay in his commentary, tells us the Jews typically wore 5 articles of clothing- the shoes, turban, girdle, tunic and robe. The fact the robe was gambled for was a significant in that it was predicted over 1,000 years earlier. Ps 22:14-18 says the soldiers did this that Scriptures might be fulfilled.
We have heard much in the Bible about Jesus being sacrifice for our sins. He fulfilled the image of the sacrificial Lamb of God. As the Passover lamb, He sacrificed His life for us. He sacrificed all that he had by dying. We are not going to need our clothes. But John MacArthur makes an interesting point about this robe being seamless. Why does God choose to put that in the Bible? It isn’t just for a fashion statement. (Although I have heard some ladies group do a take off on this teaching the importance of wearing good clothes.) It is not some special interest in the quality of the tunic. But this was also the specification of the clothing of the high priest. He was to wear special clothing including a garment without seam.
As we read and understand numerous prophetic fulfillments and types which are the pictures that point to Christ. In fact according to one source 322 distinct prophecies are fulfilled in Christ and that doesn’t include such things as the picture of the water from the rock or the person of Moses leading people in to the promised land, or any other picture of which Christ is the New Testament fulfillment. Jesus is also the High priest representing God to man and man to God. The priest is the go between who offers sacrifices on behalf of the people and makes sacrifice for God.
Jesus robe is a picture of the garment of the high priest according to MacArthur that not only ties him in with that O.T. figure but even more importantly is a detail that was mentioned 1,000 years before Christ came.
Do you understand the love of God that is so detailed in the pictures as to sacrifice himself for you and me? God uses hateful and pagan men to carry out his purposes. This is important to recognize that no sinful men will violate the plan of God. God worked through Caiaphas, through Pilate, through Judas through the soldiers who are to kill him. It is interesting to see how some liberals try to explain away the prophecies. They will say that Jesus read a number of prophecies and tried to flow them. How silly. I suppose those pagan Romans soldiers decided to read Psalm 22 that morning and thought, “Oh, I wonder if this isn’t what we are suppose to do this afternoon. Be sure to bring along your dice, Flavious.” Pilate, the soldiers, the men of execution and the place had nothing to do with anything men can concoct. But God knew and so they became his tools to carry out his plan. God also works through Holy men as well. Which are you? Sin does not thrwart Gods’ plan. You may be cured in it or blessed in it because of your disobedience, but God can use you one way or the other. He will carry out his will.
Sin can so easily grab us like a snake eating a mouse.. It is so subtle and surrounds us and until we are engulfed in his grasp. Beware with playing with it. Beware as Christians to continue in things against God’s will for it can enclave us but also be mindful that his sacrifice was for sin and for sinners. We can be freed and in our freedom be victorious.
How could he say of his executioners, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing?” or to the dying thief “Today you will be with me in Paradise”?
The Robe points to Christ's sacrificial love as our High Priest representing us before God.
Pastor Dale
