Lenten Devotions | March 25, 2012 | GAMBLING FOR HIS CLOTHES

Lenten Devotions | March 25, 2012 | GAMBLING FOR HIS CLOTHES

March 25, 2012

Read John 19:23-24

"And they divided His garments among them, casting lots for them." (Mark 15:24)

In every crucifixion Rome wanted to send a powerful warning to the nations it had conquered. If you commit the crimes this man committed, you will suffer the same fate. So the Romans made crucifixion as public and shameful as possible. They hanged the criminals along the main roads leading into a city and they removed their clothing before crucifying them.

If Jesus would have drank the wine mixed with myrrh it wouldn't hurt so much, but one last time His clothes are ripped from His tattered back as He is stripped to be crucified. When He is hanging from the cross the four guards assigned to watch over Him will divide His clothes between them. They will divide them into four piles- one for each of them. Then they will take hold of His long tunic. Since it is seamless, woven in one piece, they will not be willing to tear it. Instead they will cast lots to see who will win it. Jesus watches as they gamble for the clothes off His back.

Shame is a word the Romans wanted associated with crucifixion. They wanted that shame to be a powerful deterrent to keep the peace among their conquered nations. Jesus saw it differently. There was no shame in fulfilling God's will or saving the world. In Hebrews we read, "Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You refused to let shame drive You from Your mission, but humbled Yourself to save us. Give me strength to bear whatever shame I may face for trusting in You. A