Jeramy,
I like this, thanks for sharing it.
Virgie and Hoshi
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeremy Gilley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 9:12 PM
Subject: The Robe
> The Robe
>
> My old white terry cloth robe is almost like a second skin to me. Each
> night I remove it from my closet and wrap myself in the worn white
> fleece when I step out of the bath tub. I wear it again in the morning,
> while I sip my first cup of coffee and delight in the beauty of the day
> God is unfolding for me. This robe is tattered, torn and frayed. It has
> been washed and bleached so many times I can't remember, and it is sewn
> here and there to hold large rips and tears together. I keep it because
> it is comfortable and I am always relaxed and feel good when I wear it.
>
> Today, as I snuggled into it, I thought about a robe which Jesus wore.
> This was a flowing garment which was the usual dress for a Jewish man to
> wear in the time Jesus lived. Jesus wore one the night He shared the
> Last Supper with his disciples. We know from scripture that Jesus
> removed this robe and wrapped a towel around His loins as He washed the
> feet of his disciples. (John 13:4) He then replaced His robe after this
> job of servanthood had been completed. He wore this garment, presumably
> dry and clean as He completed his Passover meal with his disciples. Next
> He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, where the robe kept Him
> warm in the cool Jerusalem night air. He wore it during His arrest, two
> pretrial hearings before Annas and Caiaphas, the trial before the Jewish
> Supreme Court and the first hearing before the Roman authority.
>
> It was when Jesus faced Pilate for the final time that His robe must
> have been removed. The flogging Jesus endured was excruciating, as
> lashes were inflicted upon His bare back with a terrible leaded whip.
> The blood must have flown freely from the gashes and wounds on His body.
> The crown of thorns the soldiers thrust and pushed upon His head caused
> more blood to drip. Roman soldiers mocked Jesus by placing a royal
> purple robe around His battered and bruised body, saying "hail, king of
> the Jews". His original robe must have been placed upon Him before He
> made the walk, carrying his cross, to Golgotha. I am sure there was no
> comfort in His robe now, as the material made contact with bruised and
> lashed skin. It must have hurt terribly as the soldiers peeled it from
> His body before they nailed him to the cross. And after He died, the
> soldiers cast lots for this special robe, for they did not want to tear
> the seamless garment.
>
> When I put on my robe tonight, I will remember Jesus and His robe, and I
> will be eternally thankful for the sacrificial gift He gave me.
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