Clothed For the prepared parents, those who will provide for the loving reception and care of a new entrance to the world, the news of that impending arrival inspires much planning. They begin acquiring a crib, toys, blankets, bottles, and diapers in a special place for this treasured gift from heaven. Not least among these things is the tiny little garments that will cover and protect. Upon discovery of gender, getting the appropriate style and colors of various darling outfits is a joyful part of the anticipation. If this is a younger sibling, the garments may have been set aside from an older brother or sister in the hopes of another arrival. The provision of garments from childhood through old age is an integral part of life, affecting all aspects with identity, status, personality, access and qualification. There are uniforms, leisure, formal and protective apparel that define and identify personal preferences and requirements. While each of these are available, however, their actual donning becomes the choice of those who will be presented in them. Though there is a strong influence from parents, schools, clubs, and occupations, the actual wearing of the appropriate items is ultimately at the discretion of those who will don them. Apparel choices are indeed a major part of presenting to the world one’s identity and purpose. It is into this world of apparel-defining identity that the Son of God came, totally stripped of any identifying heavenly apparel. He completely put on the image of a common man so that the irreparable nature of mankind could be redeemed and given His own life. In His shed blood, resurrection, and seating at the Father’s side, He made way for an innumerable number of younger siblings to put on His nature like handed-down garments from our Big Brother. While His work is complete and grace has made the way for our total transformation, the donning of Christ is still up to those who will present His nature and likeness to the world. Jesus has provided the spotless white clothing. It is by faith, though, that our will accepts and puts on His divine nature. As the old is let go, the new image of the Son of God is put on in preparation for the good things His garments enable. Notes __ What is the significance/necessity of clothing? From childhood: Provide identity of gender / parental care Protect from elements Socially: Associate with specific groups or mindsets Reflect status Enable access Present personal preferences Occupational: Dress codes Defining uniforms Functional requirements Protection](http://) Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy – garment of praise – replaced clothing Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Put on clothes that accurately portray who you really are Colossians 3:12 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. The humility that activates God’s favor must be put on 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV) 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Immersion in Christ is our part – putting Him on as clothes. Galatians 3:27 (NLT) 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. Clothing – the putting on by faith of garments cared for by the blood of Christ. Revelation 7:9-17 (NKJV) 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” What is it with the white robes? 1. Qualify for position before the throne of God, Serving in His presence Eternally provided for in peace 2. Are the evidence of applying/utilizing the blood of Jesus 3. Were essential for their survival of a great time of trial Clothes provided – need to be worn Revelation 19:6-8 (NLT) 6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. 8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. Putting off to put on Ephesians 4:19-32 (Weymouth) 19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned themselves to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. 20 But these are not the lessons which you have learned from Christ; 21 if at least you have heard His voice and in Him have been taught–and this is true Christian teaching– 22 to put away, in regard to your former mode of life, your original evil nature which is doomed to perish as befits its misleading impulses, 23 and to get yourselves renewed in the temper of your minds and clothe yourselves 24 with that new and better self which has been created to resemble God in the righteousness and holiness which come from the truth. 25 For this reason, laying aside falsehood, every one of you should speak the truth to his fellow man; for we are, as it were, parts of one another. 26 If angry, beware of sinning. Let not your irritation last until the sun goes down; 27 and do not leave room for the Devil. 28 He who has been a thief must steal no more, but, instead of that, should work with his own hands in honest industry, so that he may have something of which he can give the needy a share. 29 Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers. 30 And beware of grieving the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you have been sealed in preparation for the day of Redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and all passionate feeling, all anger and loud insulting language, be unknown among you–and also every kind of malice. 32 On the contrary learn to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.