NOTE: I am posting this early as I will be out of town next week.
Summary of passage: The soldiers divided up Jesus’ clothes, fulfilling prophecy.
Questions:
6) He was humiliated by being crucified naked.
7a) Jesus took all of our sins to make us righteous so that once again we can stand before God as Adam and Eve did, sinless, with no shame or fear.
b) Personal question. My answer: We are completely forgiven, able to stand before God once again, justified and righteous and rich in God. I am overwhelmed.
Conclusions: Jesus’ death and our faith in him as the Savior justifies us. Jesus being stripped is merely a symbol of us taking on a new life in Christ when we accept what he did for us.
End Notes: Like cops today, Roman soldiers hung around after Jesus was crucified to keep the peace and ensure Jesus died. Normally, people were crucified naked. In Jewish custom, those stoned were afforded a loin cloth. These soldiers either stripped Jesus while he was on the cross or took his clothes when he was stripped ahead of time. This shows us Jesus let go of everything so he could be poor and us rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Jesus’ main tunic was well made and the soldiers did not want to tear it. They would probably sell it later and divide the proceeds. This shows Jesus as a high priest. Exodus 28:31-32 has the High Priest wearing a seamless garment. This fulfilled Psalm 22:18.
