PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I dedicate this time to you. I pray that you will meet me during this time. Open my spirit to hearing from you. My desire is to receive all that you have for me as I follow you to the cross. Amen.
SCRIPTURE: 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.
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.
REFLECTION
- Jesus was stripped of his clothes—stripped of his dignity. Have you ever felt stripped of something? Jesus knows what you’re feeling and feels it as well. You may have more in common with Jesus than you know. If this is an area that hits home for you, take the time now to pray it out with Jesus. Share your feelings and ask for his comfort and healing. If this part doesn’t connect for you go to the next reflection.
- Jesus was stripped and hung bare naked for the world to see (despite what the pictures show) I don’t know about you, but I can get embarrassed thinking of Jesus hanging naked on the cross. After all, this is JESUS we’re talking about. Have you ever allowed yourself to be vulnerable before God? Are you trying to hold back certain things in your life from God’s view? Are you holding back certain areas of your life from God’s control?
- Jesus was stripped of his clothes and his dignity but he was not stripped of his identity and his mission. He surrendered his tattered clothes for something far greater.
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
REFLECTION
When we surrender to Jesus we end up with something far better than what we gave up. When we turn away from Jesus and his path, we end up with rags.
PRAYER
Express your thoughts, feelings and commitments to Jesus in prayer. If you wish, write down your prayer like it was a letter to Jesus.
© Phil Sommerville
