Read John 19:23-24. Circle the word(s) that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
23 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.
24 “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 that said,
“They divided my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.”[a]
So this is what the soldiers did.
Reflections on the Word.
Inheritance. The Last Will and Testament. According to Gallup, slightly less than half of U.S. As we age, we should make known our last wishes and how we want our possessions distributed. We may want to leave something to our family and friends. What is the most valuable material possession that you have? Maybe for some of us it’s our home, IRA accounts or family heirlooms.
When Jesus died, he didn’t have any material possessions to bequeath to his parents, siblings, or even to his closest friends-the Eleven Disciples. Jesus didn’t even have a copper coin or penny with him. Judas was the treasurer. The only possession of value was the clothing that was on Jesus.
The text says this, “23 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. 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it” (NIV).
There were four Roman soldiers, ensuring the two thieves and Jesus were crucified and put to death. I would have thought that the soldiers would not want blood-stained garments, but it was of some value to them. It might help keep them warm during the cold winter nights or perhaps they could trade it for something else. Ripping that last piece of garment would decrease the value of it. So, they gambled for it.
The soldiers were poorly paid. Whatever was in the possession of the convicted criminal became their “extra” pay for their duty. To them, it was something, better than nothing. It was a seamless garment. Perhaps it was made by one of the women who followed Jesus. There is no record of what that soldier did with that garment whether he kept it or traded it for something else. Did he know how precious it might be for those who followed Christ? Did that soldier come to faith that day or in the coming days? Did some Christian barter for it from him? We just don’t know.
Jesus had nothing to give to his mother, his siblings or to his closest friends. They received nothing physically material from Him. I wonder, “Are we expecting something for following Jesus?” What do you expect to receive from being a follower of Jesus: riches, fame, position, or good health? If you got “nothing” materially from following Jesus on earth, would you be ok with it or would you feel that you got cheated in this life? The gift from Jesus is not materialism. Do you know what it is? If not, ask and find out.
-Kingston