..and she brought forth her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes
Luke 2:7
Clothes are important. Clothes may be an expression of character, an insignia of rank, or an index of economic station. Clothes are also a consequence of the Fall. Practically the first question asked by the first human pair after the Fall was, "What shall we wear?" Of course their solution was inadequate. It was God, newly offended, newly estranged, who provided the covering. Even that covering was temporary. The great theological term 'atonement' is taken from the simple Hebrew word for 'covering.' That first physical covering provided by God for Adam and Eve foreshadowed the spiritual atonement only God Himself could provide.
On the Island of Patmos John sees and reports that the glorified Second Person is "clothed in a robe reaching to His feet and girded about His breast with a golden girdle." (Revelation 1:13) Quite a contrast to the swaddling clothes. The Son of Man came unclothed into the world and had to be covered. The Lord Jesus would make atonement for sinners by becoming a substitute for them. That meant being uncovered Himself.
At the Cross He was stripped.
Before they put Him on the Cross they gave Him a crown of thorns. Before they put Him on the Cross they took His covering. While he hung there they gambled for His clothes. Thorns are an emblem of the curse -another consequence of the Fall. He took the curse upon His head. He gave the covering off His back.
In Bethlehem His back was covered
Deity was swaddled and laid down.
He came to make His blessings flow.
Far as the curse is found.
Luke 2:7
Clothes are important. Clothes may be an expression of character, an insignia of rank, or an index of economic station. Clothes are also a consequence of the Fall. Practically the first question asked by the first human pair after the Fall was, "What shall we wear?" Of course their solution was inadequate. It was God, newly offended, newly estranged, who provided the covering. Even that covering was temporary. The great theological term 'atonement' is taken from the simple Hebrew word for 'covering.' That first physical covering provided by God for Adam and Eve foreshadowed the spiritual atonement only God Himself could provide.
On the Island of Patmos John sees and reports that the glorified Second Person is "clothed in a robe reaching to His feet and girded about His breast with a golden girdle." (Revelation 1:13) Quite a contrast to the swaddling clothes. The Son of Man came unclothed into the world and had to be covered. The Lord Jesus would make atonement for sinners by becoming a substitute for them. That meant being uncovered Himself.
At the Cross He was stripped.
Before they put Him on the Cross they gave Him a crown of thorns. Before they put Him on the Cross they took His covering. While he hung there they gambled for His clothes. Thorns are an emblem of the curse -another consequence of the Fall. He took the curse upon His head. He gave the covering off His back.
In Bethlehem His back was covered
Deity was swaddled and laid down.
He came to make His blessings flow.
Far as the curse is found.
1 comment:
Thank you Ronnie for enriching our advent season with your reflections.
Lisa and Tom
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