Our Mighty God Is A Fashionista
by Karen Makishima, Director of Family Life Ministries
I hate deciding what I am going to wear each day. Sometimes I will lie across my bed staring into my open closet, just looking at my clothes, hoping that something will jump out at me and say, "Choose me!" Once I've made my choice, I am good to begin the routine of morning. But more often than not, I am stuck in the horizontal position, trying to figure out my attire.
But Romans 13:11-14 say that my attire has ALREADY been picked out for me:
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
These commanding verses remind us to be intentional with our remaining days. The day of Christ's return is coming near. So, WAKE UP! Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does it look like to clothe yourself with our Mighty God, Jesus?
Author and Bible teacher Beth Moore helped me understand this concept through the story of Jonathan and David found in 1 Samuel 18. The two guys were very different. Jonathan was a prince, a son of King Saul, who lived in the royal palace. Jonathan had all the fine things this world could offer –– rich food, servants to meet his every need and want, and the finest clothing, including a royal robe. Jonathan probably never went without. David, on the other hand, was a shepherd. He had to hunt for his food. He wore an outer tunic that probably smelled of sheep, dirt, and sweat. His tunic was no doubt worn and tattered from the hardship of life. I'm sure that many nights he would sleep with an empty belly.
Jonathan loved David as a dear friend, and he wanted David to have everything he had. And so he EXCHANGED his beautiful royal robe with David's to seal his love and devotion for his friend, and symbolically gave up his rights to the throne.
Jonathan is symbolic of Jesus, the Mighty God, who also wears a royal robe. Like Jonathan, Jesus exchanged his beautiful, perfect robe with our tattered, messed-up, smelly clothes SO THAT we can clothe ourselves with who He is. We put on the royal robe of Jesus, and He puts on our robe of sin so that our souls will be knit together. We GET TO clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
What is your response to Jesus exchanging His royal robe (His life and righteousness) for your marred and tattered clothes (sins)?
Do you wear His robe of righteousness every day (as part of your life), or is it just hanging in your closet when you need it?
Can you see our Mighty God wearing your tattered clothes? Thank Him now for the exchange and all that means to you.