Good Friday - Garments of Easter
PURPLE ROBE
16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:16-20
It was designed to mock and ridicule Jesus.
The color purple represents royalty.
The purple robe represented complete disregard, unbelief
But while the soldiers mocked – Jesus acted like a King
As they became vocal in their abuse – Jesus stood silent
HIS GARMENTS
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. John 19:23-24
THIS GARMENT REPRESENTED THREE MAIN THINGS:
1. ROYALTY
2. GRACE
3. DIVINITY
HOW MANY HAVE TRIED TO STRIP DIVINITY FOR JESUS?
Every time in history man said – “IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD”
Represents an effort to tears the robes of authority, position and divinity off of Jesus Christ. The devil in the desert– IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD –
People and the rulers at crucifixion – let him save himself if he is the Son of God The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” LUKE 23:35
The soldiers – IF YOU ARE THE KING SAVE YOURSELF –
and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” LUKE 23:37
The thief – AREN’T YOU THE CHRIST? – SAVE YOURSELF AND US
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” LUKE 23:39
Even in Jesus death the robe of divinity was not torn from him
Instead it was Jesus chance to call his last enemy – death
Into a battle where Jesus would defeat death and the grave
This robe was seamless
Leviticus 21:10-12 (NIV)
10“ ‘The high priest, the one among his brothers who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and who has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair become unkempt or tear his clothes. 11He must not enter a place where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother, 12nor leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of his God. I am the Lord.
No imperfection in Christ’s righteousness
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. MATT: 26:57-65
Jesus you are the true high priest!
What about the robe of Christ –
23 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. John 19:23-24
Jesus is our high priest – making intersession for us!
His divinity is in place this very day!
BURIAL CLOTHES
Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. John 20:6-7
Easter Sunday God took the clothing of death and made it a symbol of life.
The grave clothes of Jesus are a silent reminder and proof of Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
God has the ability to turn tragedy into triumph.
Look again at the second ½ of Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
This year as you dress yourself for an Easter service – remember that the clothing of Easter is significant. Jesus made it clear through the purple robe, the garments that were gambled over and the burial cloth he left behind – that he is capable of bring hope and lasting change to your life this Easter season.